On February 17, 2025, Kyoto University, in collaboration with the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), held the closing symposium for the Inter-University Exchange Project: IAfP (Africa). The event took place at Prometheus Hall, Agora Global, TUFS and was streamed online via Zoom. This symposium aimed to review and share the achievements of the five-year IAfP (Africa) project, which will conclude in March 2025. Representatives from ten participating universities attended, along with 170 participants consisting of university faculty, students, and professionals from other organizations.
Part 1: Student Exchange Reports
In the first session, 11 students from Japan and Africa shared their study abroad experiences. Japanese students who studied in five countries, such as Botswana and Ghana, described how their learning experiences in Africa both deepened their academic knowledge and provided them with new perspectives and values. Similarly, African students from four countries, including Cameroon and Tanzania, reflected on their experiences in Japan, highlighting opportunities to explore Japanese history, food culture, and academic fields. For all participants, studying abroad was an unforgettable experience that helped them develop essential skills such as leadership and communication. Many students expressed their aspirations to revisit their host countries, help promote Japan-Africa relations, or pursue further studies abroad. These outcomes demonstrate the project’s role in fostering meaningful intellectual exchanges between Japan and Africa.
Part 2: Keynote Speeches and University Reports
In the second session, keynote speeches were delivered by Mr. Hiroshi Matsuzaka, Strategic Director of the Higher Education Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Mr. Shuichi Nishino, Director of the First Africa Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Mr. Matsuzaka highlighted the importance of university internationalization and enhanced global competitiveness, particularly through projects such as the IAfP. Mr. Nishino, referencing the upcoming TICAD9 (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), emphasized Africa’s growing significance, the importance of youth exchange between Japan and Africa, and the need to support Africa’s economic growth, particularly by engaging young people and women. He also highlighted the theme of TICAD9, "Concrete Innovative Solutions with Africa."
Following the speeches, each university presented its best practices and achievements through the IAfP project. These include:
- Akita University & Kyushu University:
The two university teams introduced the Smart-Mining program, which focuses on training for sustainable resource development in Southern Africa. The program provided students with hands-on experience in resource development using informatics-based learning and strengthened their academic ties with African universities.
- Utsunomiya University:
The university introduced a program aimed at integrating Africa’s potential with Japanese science and technology to foster human resources that contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university conducted online courses, selected exchange students based on academic performance, and provided field research opportunities. A key highlight was the selection of outstanding African students for study opportunities in Japan, which significantly improved the quality of education.
- Tokyo University of Agriculture:
The university explained its focus on training future leaders to address Africa’s food and nutrition challenges. The university promoted cross-cultural exchanges through online activities such as the "African Café" and study programs focusing on local agriculture and food systems. Additionally, joint research initiatives with African universities and industry partners contributed to advancements in food production and nutrition.
- Nagasaki University:
The university elaborated on its “Planetary Health Africa-Japan Strategic and Collaborative Education (PHASE) Program,” which offered online courses and short- and long-term exchange programs. The program resulted in high academic achievement, with African exchange students participating in the Physiological Society of West Japan and being selected for final research presentations.
- Hiroshima University:
The university launched the “Japan-Africa Triangle Education Program” to foster reciprocal partnerships with North and Sub-Saharan Africa. The program expanded learning opportunities through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and interdisciplinary courses. Group activities also allowed students to explore each other’s cultures before traveling abroad.
- Hokkaido University:
The university introduced its “International Veterinary and Conservation Medicine Education Program (IVCMEP),” which trains the next generation of One Health and conservation medicine professionals. A unique feature of this program is its self-designed learning curriculum that allows students to explore conservation medicine from diverse perspectives.
- Yamaguchi University:
The university discussed its efforts to develop a veterinary training program focused on infectious disease control as part of its One Health Initiative in Asia and Africa. The university expanded cross-disciplinary collaborations, promoted student exchanges, and organized Africa-related courses and workshops, which increased student interest in the continent.
- Kyoto University and the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies:
The two universities reported their efforts to expand student exchange agreements with 12 African universities. They organized short- and long-term Study Abroad programs and international joint conferences to broaden students’ global perspectives while reinforcing academic networks between Japan and Africa. Notably, some African students who initially came to Japan as exchange students later returned for master’s or Ph.D. programs, indicating that this is a sustainable academic exchange model.
Additionally, these universities established a Japan-Africa student exchange platform, which built a network of over 40 universities to promote inter-university collaboration. They also developed searchable databases with detailed information on Japanese and African universities, safety guidelines, and health information to address the concerns of Japanese stakeholders about studying in Africa. Kyoto University highlighted these initiatives as pioneering efforts that should continue beyond the conclusion of the project.
Conclusion
Finally, Professor Shinichi Takeuchi from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies reflected on the project. The professor highlighted that the exchanges between participating universities generated a synergistic learning effect and that student interactions fostered mutual understanding and collaboration.