Japan Visit Strengthens Partnership in Sports Education
Dean Ho-Sen Wang of NTNU's College of Sport and Recreation led a delegation to Japan from December 4 to 7, to strengthen ties with sister schools and explore new partnerships. The delegation visited Chukyo University, Mukogawa Women’s University, and Nihon University, while also meeting with Toyo University to discuss potential collaborations. Over four days, Dean Wang, Director Li-Jung Lin, and Professor Po-Hsiu Lin participated in discussions, evaluated exchange programs, toured sports facilities, and laid the groundwork for future initiatives.
Since establishing a sister-school relationship in 2010, NTNU and Chukyo University have collaborated on student exchanges and academic initiatives. This visit marked the first in-person meeting between faculty members since the pandemic. Dean Wang and his colleagues met with Chukyo’s Dean Yukio Taneda and Professor Tomofumi Ashizuka to discuss expanding exchanges and strengthening academic ties. They also reviewed the progress of NTNU students currently studying at Chukyo University.
A tour of Chukyo’s state-of-the-art sports facilities, including its Sports Museum showcasing achievements in athlete development, offered valuable insights for NTNU’s future facility planning and research collaborations.
The following day, the delegation visited Mukogawa Women’s University, where they received a warm welcome. In a show of hospitality, the university raised the Republic of China flag at its main entrance. Two formal meetings were held with representatives from the School and Graduate School of Health and Sports Sciences.
At the first meeting, Vice Presidents Masatoshi Kawai and Takahashi, along with international affairs representatives, expressed keen interest in NTNU’s bilingual education and internationalization initiatives. Vice President Takahashi, who will assume the presidency in April, proposed collaboration on her ongoing research into Japanese women, presenting an opportunity for cross-national studies.
The second meeting, attended by Dean Kanji Watanabe and other faculty members, focused on implementing a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). Discussions included plans for student exchanges, joint teaching initiatives, and long-term collaborative programs.
The delegation’s itinerary continued with a visit to Toyo University, a prestigious institution founded by philosopher Enryo Inoue and a potential new partner. Toyo has been exploring collaboration with NTNU since 2023. Joining the discussions was Professor Po-Hsiu Lin, who completed a short-term lectureship at Toyo earlier this year.
Discussions centered on academic cooperation agreements, dual-degree programs, short-term study opportunities, and collaborative research projects. Both institutions affirmed their commitment to fostering internationalization and creating diverse opportunities for students and faculty. The delegation also met a student who participated in NTNU’s international conference in May and has since applied for an NTNU master’s program, underscoring the impact of such exchanges in building deeper academic and cultural ties.
Later that day, the delegation visited Nihon University, where they met with faculty from the College of Sports Sciences, including Dean Toshiyuki Mashiko. Discussions addressed strategies to refine the exchange student selection process, enhance support systems, and organize short-term overseas training programs designed to develop athletes' confidence and communication skills for global competitions.
The NTNU team invited Nihon University faculty to participate in upcoming international conferences and expand student and faculty exchanges. The visit also inspired ideas for NTNU’s planned sports science facility at the Gongguan campus, particularly in laboratory design and training infrastructure.
The delegation’s visit to Japan successfully reinforced partnerships with sister schools while opening doors for new collaborations. Through productive discussions, facility tours, and program evaluations, the delegation gained insights to guide future academic and research initiatives. These efforts align with NTNU’s commitment to internationalization, academic excellence, and athletic performance, solidifying its position as Taiwan’s leading sports education institution and advancing its goal of becoming a top global sports program.