UPEI signs MOU with Japan's University of the Ryukyus
On November 21, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz and Island Studies professor and UNESCO Chair Jim Randall welcomed a delegation from the University of the Ryukyus, an island university based in Okinawa, Japan. The purpose was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two universities, to formalize the current relationship that exists and to facilitate future academic exchange of students and faculty.
President Abd-El-Aziz said, “We are very pleased to enhance our already strong relationship with the University of the Ryukyus by signing this MOU,” said President Abd-El-Aziz. “Both universities have institutes that focus on island studies, which both have tremendous reputations around the world. This agreement will allow us to identify more opportunities by which to collaborate, conduct research, and disseminate knowledge about islands and their impact.”
University of the Ryukyus President Hajime Oshiro said, “The University of Prince Edward Island and the University of the Ryukyus have been engaging in academic exchange, led mainly by faculty members, especially, in the field of island studies. I, myself, am specialized in island economics and have been collaborating with the Institute of Island Studies on my research. The Research Institute for Islands and Sustainability at Ryukyus has also been working with UPEI on many initiatives.”
Faculty from the two universities have visited back and forth since 2014, when Professor Yoko Fujita, vice-president and director of the Research Institute for Islands and Sustainability at the University of the Ryukyus, visited UPEI to attend the “Excellence Network of Island Territories” (RETI) annual conference. In 2017, the University of the Ryukyus hosted RETI; both co-holders of the UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability, Drs. Jim Randall and Godfrey Baldacchino, attended.
In addition to President Oshiro, last month’s delegation from the University of the Ryukyus included Kaori Kinjo, Coordinator for International Affairs, and Erisa Murayama, with the International Collaboration Section. While on Prince Edward Island they toured the Island, then met with Dr. Laurie Brinklow from UPEI’s Institute of Island Studies and Cathy Gillan, Director, Work Integrated Learning and the English Language Centre.
