From October 31 to November 1, the “One Kobe Family” Global Fair 2025 was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. The event included courtesy visits to Foreign Trade University and Vietnam Japan University, and an alum gathering. It aimed to strengthen partnerships with Asian universities, expand study-abroad opportunities for both international and Kobe University students and enhance connections with overseas alums—including former international and Japanese students—to further develop the university’s global alum network.

The delegation was led by President FUJISAWA Masato, accompanied by Executive Vice President TAMAKI Hisashi, director of the Institute for Promoting International Partnerships; Executive Vice President OKUMURA Hiroshi; KAWAI Naruo, section head of the Global Education Center (GEC); and SAITO Yoshihisa, a member of the Asia & Oceania Division, Institute for Promoting International Partnerships and associate professor at the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies. Staff from the Global Engagement Division, the Alumni Affairs and Endowments Division and the International Exchange Division also participated.

On October 31, the delegation paid courtesy visits to partner universities including Foreign Trade University and Vietnam Japan University, with which Kobe University has enjoyed long-standing collaborative relationships under academic cooperation agreements.

At Foreign Trade University, the delegation met with President Pham Thu Huong; Cao Dinh Kien, director of International Affairs; Tran Thi Thu Thuy, dean of the Faculty of Japanese; Nguyen Thi Bich Hue, lecturer at the Faculty of Japanese; and Nguyen Nhat Mai, Asia regional manager, Office of International Affairs. They exchanged views on promoting student exchange programs and collaboration in fields such as life sciences and healthcare during the meeting.

At Vietnam Japan University, the delegation met with Rector FURUTA Motoo (online); Standing Vice Rector Nguyen Hoang Oanh; KURIHARA Hirohide, special advisor and JICA expert; and INOMATA Mika, JICA expert and program coordinator (Admission & Educational Affairs). The discussion focused on short-term student exchange programs and joint educational programs.

On November 1, 46 Kobe University alums from various years and industries gathered for an alum event. They shared updates on their lives after graduation and exchanged contact information, thereby strengthening their ties with the university and fellow graduates.

Building on the outcomes of the “One Kobe Family” Global Fair 2025 Hanoi, Kobe University will continue fostering exchange and collaboration between the two countries in education, research and community engagement.

(Global Engagement Division)