Saga University and Guizhou Minzu University (People’s Republic of China) of Guizhou Province held an online signing ceremony and other activities related to the conclusion of an academic and student exchange agreement and memorandum of understanding on December 19, 2012, with the university as the main venue, for the purpose of revitalizing research and education at both universities.

Guizhou Province and Saga Prefecture, where Saga University is located, signed a “Memorandum of Understanding for Friendship Exchange” in 2012, which led to an academic exchange agreement between researchers dispatched to the prefecture from Guizhou Minzu University and Saga University’s Faculty of Economics.

The signing ceremony was attended by President Wang Lin of Guizhou Minzu University and others involved in the promotion of future academic exchange, while Saga University President Hiroaki Kodama, faculty members of the Faculty of Economics who have promoted researcher exchange, and others from Saga University attended the ceremony.

After the signing ceremony, an international exchange meeting was held with invited guests. Ms. Xin Ying, Vice Consul for Education at the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Fukuoka, expressed his hope that the signing would be an opportunity for the two universities to promote student exchange through collaboration and that the two universities would develop by mutually compensating for their advantages. Mr. Masaki Okuma, Chief Consul of the Consulate-General of Japan in Chongqing, then spoke of the importance of the bilateral exchange of education and personnel, especially the exchange of young people who will be responsible for the future, as well as the importance of the two universities’ cooperation in promoting student exchanges. He also expressed his expectations for the development of future exchanges between the two universities. Mr. Izaki, Director of the International Affairs Division of Saga Prefecture, also expressed his expectations for the deepening of international exchange in the Saga region to the officials of the University of Nishikyushu and the Saga Area Japan-China Friendship Association, who attended as guests on the occasion of the signing of this agreement. The guests expressed their expectations for the deepening of international exchange in the Saga region. At the end of the speech, Mr. Lu Xiangqi, Director of the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Guizhou Province, also stated that the conclusion of the agreement between the two universities was an important achievement in promoting friendship in regional exchange between China and Japan, overcoming difficulties through mutual support in both regions in the Corona Disaster and other efforts.

The seminar was also a meaningful one, with researchers and students from the two universities holding a seminar on the Sino-Japanese economy and other topics, hosted by the economics department and agreeing to hold regular study meetings between Japanese and Chinese researchers for joint research to solve social issues such as the aging of small and medium business owners

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China and since the promotion of academic exchange between the two universities is also expected to promote friendship and mutual understanding among new generations, the University is expected to further spread the significance of international exchange to the local community, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable international society by working toward a multicultural society that extends beyond its campus.

President Wang Lin (left) and President Kodama (right)

Attendees from Guizhou Minzu University, Guizhou Province (right)

Exchange of opinions between students of Saga University and Guizhou Minzu University