Sending Universities

Focused on developing women leaders, Ochanomizu University started life in 1874 as Tokyo Women’s Normal School, Japan’s first institution of higher education for women. The university actively promotes liberal-arts education, enabling its students to base their specialization on a solid foundation of general, communicable knowledge. Students craft their own degree by combining programs from a range of depths in politics, economics, academia, culture, and other fields to suit their needs and forge their own path, ensuring they are prepared for a future of leadership either in Japan or internationally. Ochanomizu University's exchange agreements create an environment that promotes study and research across borders.

In 1972, Okinawa University and International University merged to form Okinawa International University, a private institution that “strives for autonomy and true freedom.” On an island in the East China Sea, Okinawa has been exposed to multiple cultures, culminating in its unique traditions and way of life, and in the university’s commitment to training pioneers and global professionals. Okinawa International’s ten departments, four faculties, graduate school, and four research departments follow the tenets of peace and coexistence, individuality and creativity, autonomy and development as they strive to create scholarship and a culture that supports the peace and coexistence of humankind. The university’s strength is in social sciences and humanities.

Osaka University of Economics is a private university located in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. The university was founded in 1932 as Naniwa Higher Commercial School. In 1935, with the large donation by Dr. Iwao Kokusho, the school was revived as Showa Higher Commercial School. During World War II, most of the students were enlisted. So in 1944 Osaka Women's College of Economics was established instead. In 1946, after the war, the school was reorganized into Osaka College of Economics co-educational school. In 1949, under Japan's new educational systems, Osaka College of Economics was developed into four-year Osaka University of Economics.

Otemon Gakuin University is a university of the humanities and social sciences located in Osaka, Japan. The university was founded in 1966 and has been vigorously engaged in providing educational programs at the undergraduate and post graduate levels. The academic programs encompass six specific fields: International Liberal Arts, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Management, and Regional Development Studies. Based on our educational principle of “We at Otemon strive to cultivate solid self-reliance and well-rounded interpersonal skills, in order to promote individual freedom and social harmony”, the university has sent out into the world many individuals equipped with international perspectives.

Established as the first research-driven university in Korea, Pohang University of Science and Technology is a flagship institution with exceptional STEM research output. POSTECH was founded by POSCO, one of the world's leading steel companies, and was inspired by CalTech in its low student-to-faculty ratio, higher intake of graduate students than undergraduates, and impressive campus environment – a radical departure for the norm in 1980’s Korea. POSTECH rose quickly to become one of the most prominent young research universities in the world and is now in the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings, top 15 in QS Asia University Ranking and top ten in Korea. Each year, POSTECH welcomes just 300 new undergraduates, budding engineers and scientists who are actively encouraged to be involved in graduate research through their courses.

On the southern island of Kyushu, the Prefectural University of Kumamoto blends the traditions of its surroundings with the wisdom to push through challenges and build a future of hope. On the compact, tree-lined campus, 2,200 students focus on their study of letters, environment and symbiotic sciences, and administrative studies. Since 1947, the university has evolved a supportive, encouraging, engaged community in this, the City of Forests and Water.

Korea’s first national university, Pusan National University’s courses initially focused purely on humanities and fisheries. PNU has now grown to accommodate 15 colleges and several highly regarded graduate schools, where tradition and academic excellence are nurtured. While its mechanical-engineering department is especially celebrated, its education in healthcare, biosciences, Nano-, and biotechnology are also exceptional. Many of its schools have been awarded ongoing government-funded research projects, and the university places high value on research and publication.