Delegation from the City of Bochum and Ruhr University Bochum

From April 22 to 24, a delegation from the City of Bochum and Ruhr University Bochum in Germany visited our university and engaged in a wide range of exchanges with our students and faculty members.

The visit, comprising a 21-member delegation including Mr. Thomas Eiskirch, Mayor of Bochum, members of the Bochum City Council, Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum, representatives from healthcare-related startups, and an official from VfL Bochum (a professional soccer club competing in Germany's first division), was carried out based on the agreement signed between the cities of Tsukuba and Bochum in 2019. Our university played a central role in planning and facilitating the program together with the City of Tsukuba as a key institution promoting exchanges between the two cities.

On April 22, the delegation from Ruhr University Bochum visited the Tsukuba campus, participating in various programs including an academic exchange meeting between faculty members conducting research in similar fields, a signing ceremony to establish a double degree program in the field of computer science, a chat event with students, and tours of our university hospital and medical research laboratories.

On April 23, a meeting between President Nagata of our university and Rector Paul was held at the Tsukuba Civic Center, during which they actively discussed the outcomes of the previous day's visit and further strengthened their mutual understanding.

On April 24, the entire delegation, led by Mayor Eiskirch, paid a courtesy visit to our university. Following the signing of a new agreement between Tsukuba and Bochum cities the previous day to promote startup initiatives, Mayor Eiskirch, Rector Paul, President Nagata, and other participants engaged in lively discussions on the importance of industry-academia-government collaboration.

In addition, presentations were given by Prof. Dr. Akira Uedono (Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences / Regional Head for Europe at the University's Overseas Offices) on the status of collaborations with Ruhr University Bochum, and by Prof. Dr. Takashi Oyama (Manager of the Department of Sports Administration, Bureau of Physical Education and Sports) on prospects for future collaborations with VfL Bochum.

Our university, Ruhr University Bochum, the City of Bochum, and the City of Tsukuba have already built strong relations that go beyond traditional university and city exchanges. Going forward, there are high expectations for further expanding cooperative initiatives, leveraging the strengths of these robust relationships.