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Strengthening UCL’s Partnerships in Japan

13 November 2024

A UCL delegation’s recent visit to Japan reinforced the university’s commitment to impactful global partnerships. By engaging with key institutions, UCL continues to drive research, innovation, and community connections across continents.

UCL delegation visiting British Embassy in Tokyo

Led by Professor Geraint Rees, UCL’s Vice-Provost for Research, Innovation, and Global Engagement, the delegation engaged with Japanese institutions to explore ways of deepening collaboration across shared research strengths and innovative projects. 

Meeting with Tohoku University 

During the visit, UCL leaders met with senior counterparts at Tohoku University (TU), a long-term strategic partner, to discuss expanding collaboration in disaster science, neuroscience, and material science. The partnership reflects a shared ambition to advance knowledge and develop the next generation of talent to address global challenges, with a particular focus on supporting collaborative PhD activities in cutting-edge fields such as disaster science.

UCL delegation visitng Tohoku

Engaging with Government and Industry

The delegation met with British Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, at the British Embassy in Tokyo. The discussion highlighted UCL’s ongoing collaborations with Japanese academic and industry partners and opportunities to support Japan’s higher education internationalisation and strengthen UK-Japan ties. 

Celebrating over 30 Years of International Space Collaboration  

Coinciding with World Space Week, UCL’s Innovation & Enterprise team also met with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). For over three decades, UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) has been working closely with the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and NAOJ on groundbreaking missions like Yohkoh, Hinode, and currently Solar-C and LiteBIRD. The discussions explored how the institutions could further combine expertise for future space research initiatives. 

Reconnecting with UCL Alumni in Japan 

UCL’s Alumni Relations team hosted a gathering in Tokyo, reconnecting with UCL’s vibrant community in Japan. With over 2,500 alumni in the country and historical ties going back to the Chōshū Five’s arrival in 1863, UCL values its strong and enduring connections with Japan. 

Reflecting on the visit, Professor Rees commented, “The strength of our partnerships in Japan reflects our commitment to fostering research and innovation that addresses global challenges and enriches communities worldwide.” 

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