TOKYO, JAPAN – April 10, 2025 – The School of Global Studies, Thammasat University (SGS) and the School of Global Studies and Collaboration, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan (GSC) have officially formed a partnership to tackle pressing global challenges through collaborative academic efforts. The signing ceremony for an undergraduate agreement occurred at the Aoyama Campus of Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo.
This agreement aims to promote a dynamic exchange of knowledge and perspectives through several key initiatives, including:
- Exchange Programs: Offering opportunities for undergraduate students from both universities to study abroad and engage in different academic and cultural environments.
- Faculty Exchanges: Facilitating knowledge sharing and research collaboration among faculty members.
- Joint Research: Promoting collaborative research projects that address critical global issues.
- International Symposiums: Co-hosting international symposiums to bring together scholars, practitioners, and students to discuss and propose solutions to global challenges.
SGS and GSC share a mission to explore interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex global issues. Their educational philosophies emphasize the importance of cross-border perspectives and encourage collaborative learning and action among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and values.
Before the signing ceremony, the deans of both faculties engaged in discussions focused on strategies for addressing significant global issues such as climate change, poverty, inequality, conflict, and the implications of artificial intelligence for humanity. They also considered the evolving landscape of education and research globally.
The signing ceremony was attended by key representatives from both institutions, including:
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Prapaporn Tivayanond Mongkhonvanit, Dean of the School of Global Studies, Thammasat University.
- Prof. Eric Matsunaga, Dean of the School of Global Studies and Collaboration (GSC), Aoyama Gakuin University.
Dean Prapaporn Tivayanond Mongkhonvanit emphasized the long-term vision of the partnership, stating, “We are not just trying to develop ‘international talent,’ but ‘talented individuals who can take responsibility for the future of the international community.’ This partnership is a significant step toward realizing that vision.”
Professor Eric Matsunaga echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of learning beyond national boundaries. “The experience of learning together across national and cultural differences not only broadens our scope of knowledge but also helps us understand the meaning of ‘living together.’ I hope that this agreement will nurture students’ creativity and empathy.”
The signing ceremony also included lively discussions on future collaborations, such as jointly hosting seminars and fieldwork and co-organizing international symposiums focusing on themes like sustainability, human rights, and social entrepreneurship. Looking ahead, GSC faculty members are scheduled to participate in academic conferences jointly hosted by SGS and the United Nations in 2025, with undergraduate exchange programs between the two institutions set to start in 2026.
This agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening international academic cooperation and fostering a new generation of global citizens equipped to address the world’s most pressing challenges through collaborative action.
