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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

University System of Maryland
3300 Metzerott Road
Adelphi, MD 20783-1690, USA
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