USM, UMBC Sign MOUs with Kyushu University of Japan to Promote Academic Cooperation and Collaborative Research
Adelphi, Md. (June 24, 2014) -- The
University System of Maryland (USM) today celebrated the signing of two
memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for academic and research exchanges with
Kyushu University of Fukuoka, Japan. The first MOU joins the USM with Kyushu
University in a broad agreement to promote academic cooperation. The second MOU
is a partnership agreement between Kyushu University and the University of
Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), a selective public research honors
university within the USM.
Four principles guide the overarching MOU fostering academic cooperation
between the USM and Kyushu University:
1)
Exchange of academic staff, administrative and
students;
2)
Development of plans for joint research;
3)
Exchange of academic information and publications; and
4)
Other academic exchanges to which both parties will
agree.
In the partnership between UMBC and Kyushu University, the two institutions will
work to reach breakthroughs in cutting-edge scientific areas. They also will develop
collaborations to advance learning while strengthening their respective
regional economies. Professor Dr. Setsuo Arikawa, the president of Kyushu
University, today added his signature to the MOU with UMBC, previously signed
by UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski. Colleagues of Professor Dr. Arikawa
traveled to UMBC during the afternoon to tour the campus.
At this morning's ceremony, USM Chancellor William E. "Brit" Kirwan welcomed
leaders from Kyushu University, the state of Maryland, and UMBC. These leaders included
Mr. Kenichiro Sasae, Ambassador of Japan to the United States; Professor Dr.
Arikawa; Philip Rous, UMBC provost; and John McDonough, secretary of state for
Maryland.
"The two agreements we sign today reflect the
University System of Maryland's deep commitment to collaborate with
institutions on a global scale to advance knowledge and the well-being of
humankind," Kirwan said. "We are especially pleased and proud to be entering
into a cooperative agreement with such a distinguished institution as Kyushu
University. Through this agreement, we see the potential for meaningful
research collaboration and student exchange that will be of great benefit to
both the United States and Japan. "
A leading public research institution in the city of Fukuoka on the northern
shore of the island of Kyushu, Kyushu University (KU) has received special
acclaim for its excellence in materials science, chemistry, biology and
biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology.
"I express my deepest gratitude to Chancellor Kirwan for his understanding
of the importance of international collaboration between universities in Japan
and the United States," Professor Dr. Arikawa said.
Kirwan offered a special message of appreciation to Dr. Shuzaburo Takeda for
his efforts in facilitating the relationships between the USM and KU in his
capacity as senior adviser to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, Japan.
UMBC's partnership with KU establishes the intention to cooperate broadly in
research and education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with an
initial focus on cybersecurity curriculum development. It is anticipated that
program exchanges between UMBC and KU will begin by 2016.
Educational partnership agreements are a prominent component of UMBC's
nationally acclaimed success in combining high-quality undergraduate teaching
with achievements in graduate education and research. UMBC has an existing
educational partnership agreement with the U.S. Army Research Lab, the Army's
premier laboratory for basic and applied research and analysis. The agreement
provides a framework for collaborations between UMBC faculty and students and
Army Research Lab researchers.
Earlier this month, UMBC and the U.S. Army Research, Development and
Engineering Command signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
(CRADA) that enables future collaboration between UMBC and the U.S. Army.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
