https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/news/2017/0213001.html

On January 26, SAIMS Program Partner Universities Conference and International Symposium were held in Bangkok, Thailand. SAIMS (Sophia ASEAN International Mobility for Students) Program is supported by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as part of their initiative for Japanese universities global deployment.

SAIMS Program enhances students exchange between Sophia University and 7 universities within four ASEAN countries. Since the program established in 2013, 65 students from Sophia as well as 55 students from SAIMS partner universities in ASEAN regions had been exchanged. At Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, representatives from partner universities as well as staffs of several universities in the area concluded the exchange program partnership with Sophia University gathered. From Sophia among three professors teaching at SAIMS Program and Yasushi Hirosato, Director of Center for Global Discovery and Sophia ASEAN Hub Center attended.

At the joint conference Professor Mikiko Sugiura of Center for Global Discovery who serves as a coordinator for SAIMS Program shared the update of current status of the program as well as achievements and tasks. Following active discussions of the future vision for student exchanges after the expiration of the program supported by MEXT, as well as the topic of student mobility contributing to different research fields, university credits compatibility and also internship opportunities took place. Presentation by Professor Hirosato

On January 27, at Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Political Science Conference Hall, International Conference, “Innovations in Student Mobility: How we can Cultivate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Development” was held. Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Political Science which provides the space of Bangkok Office for Sophia University as well as Nagoya University and Toyo University. With their full support the joint conference was held for the first time. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being set for 2030, the main topic was to cultivate the human resources for tackling the global issues such as poverty, education, health as well as global warming.

At the symposium Chulalongkorn University President Bundhit Eua-arporn, Faculty of Political Science Dean Ake Tangsupvattana and Sophia’s Alumnus Kuniaki Yamashita, Director of the Bangkok Office of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS) gave congratulatory address following SEAMEO RIHED Director Chantavit Sujatanond and Yasushi Hirosato, Director of Center for Global Discovery and Sophia ASEAN Hub Center gave keynote lectures.

SAIMS Program Partner Universities Conference

Also Professor Takeshi Ito, Faculty of Liberal Arts at Sophia University and his partner for the joint research project, Professor Carl Middleton, Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University, presented the case study, the training session aiming humans and environmental coexistence with the voice of participating Sophia students. And other universities, Toyo University, Nagoya University and Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Political Science also gave presentation regarding their precedent and the task for the program. The group discussion with all participants followed.

At last Sophia Vice President for Academic Exchange Miki Sugimura concluded the meeting confirming the importance of promoting “Global Citizenship” in order to reach true globalization. The symposium provided great opportunities for Sophia as well as relating institutions within ASEAN regions to strengthen ties and to promote cooperation.