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Cross-cultural connections: OSU Global welcomes Japanese delegation for mutual learning journey

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Media Contact: Randy Kluver | Associate Provost and Dean | 405-744-6606 | randy.kluver@okstate.edu

OSU Global recently hosted a delegation from Japanese-based Shinshu University, a longtime partner institution for Oklahoma State University recognized internationally for its leadership in interdisciplinary reaching and research.

The Shinshu delegation visited Stillwater to explore opportunities for student exchange and faculty collaboration between the two institutions. Shinshu recently received an Inter-University Exchange Project Initiative Grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) — Japan's sole independent funding agency with a mission to advance science.

JSPS awarded this grant with a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming designed to increase the number of students and faculty studying and researching between Shinshu and key international partners like OSU. A critical aspect of the grant is community engagement. Shinshu ranks No. 2 in Japan for contributing to its local community. OSU — with its land-grant mission and tradition of Extension and outreach as well as its global impact ranking as No. 4 in the United States addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals — is an ideal partner for this grant program.

Dean Kluver and Dr. Simpson are discussing future collaboration with the Japanese delegation.

During the visit, Dr. Randy Kluver, associate provost and dean of OSU Global, welcomed the delegation to Stillwater and expressed OSU’s commitment to the partnership. Led by Mitsukimi Sugimoto, incoming dean and distinguished professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences-Institute of Humanities, and Mitsuru Hamano, a senior assistant professor at the Center for Global Education and Collaboration, the group delved into a whirlwind of activities designed to deepen collaboration and understanding of STEAM opportunities in Oklahoma, especially in the multidisciplinary areas of health, wellness, technology and engineering.

Established in 2005, this exchange program offers a unique opportunity for immersive English language acquisition for Japanese students, providing specially tailored OSU courses for this purpose. It also offers the potential for internships in both Japan and the US, as well as opportunities for faculty at both institutions to engage in collaborative research and faculty-led course travel with their respective students.