On September 18, 2025, the Global Engagement Center (GEC) of Okayama University, located in Okayama City, Japan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Future Civilizations Institute of Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea. The signing ceremony involved prominent figures including Deputy President and GEC Director, Atsufumi Yokoi from Okayama University, and Wons Kim, the Director of the Future Civilizations Institute of Kyung Hee University. Professing a commitment to foster global citizenship through education, the agreement seeks to integrate Okayama University's focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) with Kyung Hee University's emphasis on Global Citizenship Education (GCED).
This partnership encourages the development and promotion of collaborative programs encompassing student exchanges, educational initiatives, and joint research activities. The relationship between these institutions is deep-rooted, illustrated by continuous interactions since 2019 when Deputy President Yokoi was invited to the 'Peace Bar Festival,' commemorating the United Nations International Day of Peace.
The integration of ESD and GCED is aimed at creating an innovative educational model that empowers students to contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs) and serves as a reference point in their educational journeys. Currently, Okayama University is actively involved in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's initiative to bolster the internationalization of universities, which has been recognized for instigating social impacts.
As part of this initiative, Okayama University is also promoting the 'Well-being Practitioners Program,' focused on co-creating the future of local and global communities. Collaborative discussions with Kyung Hee University aim to elevate this program into an international collaborative educational framework, enhancing its impact and reach.
The agreement stipulates that both institutions are committed to building a robust educational foundation that is conducive to achieving SDGs, thereby embracing both local and global perspectives for future collaboration. This new partnership is expected to play a vital role in reinforcing the mission of Okayama University as a unique research university dedicated to social engagement and innovation.
As these institutions embark on this shared journey, there is an underlying commitment to contribute towards a more knowledgeable, sustainable, and interconnected world. The cooperation between Okayama University and Kyung Hee University embodies the spirit of global collaboration in education and research, promoting values such as peace, responsibility, and community engagement among students.
Both universities encourage students, local communities, and international stakeholders to engage actively in these educational initiatives, fostering a new generation equipped to tackle global challenges. Through this agreement and ongoing collaboration, Okayama University looks forward to making significant strides in educational innovation while further solidifying its role as a leading research institution focusing on societal impacts. Expect to see more exciting developments in this journey as we continue to uphold our commitment to creating a sustainable future together with our partners.