President, Kyushu University
Director, Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies (Q-AOS)
Tatsuro Ishibashi
Thank you all for joining us for Kyushu University Asia Week 2024.
Our university is located in Fukuoka, the gateway to Kyushu. Due to our geographical and historical proximity to Asia, we have always promoted ourselves as a “university open to Asia”, leveraging this geographical advantage to foster connections with universities and research institutions across the Asia-Oceania region.
We established the Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies (Q-AOS) in April 2019 to build upon our rich history of research and educational achievements. Q-AOS aims to address current social issues in the region and to identify and highlight anticipated future challenges. By doing so, we aspire to develop academic fields here in the Asia-Oceania region that will help shape the world.
The institute functions as a cross-departmental, university-wide organization that transcends academic disciplines. It addresses global challenges such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working directly with local organizations ("on site") and responding to specific regional needs as they arise ("on demand"). In 2024, we are reviewing and enhancing our internal collaboration systems to improve coordination across the university. We have also established a new department to further strengthen our on-site activities, aiming to make our efforts more effective and impactful.
Three years ago, in 2021, Kyushu University was selected as a “Designated National University Corporation” and unveiled Kyushu University Vision 2030, which outlines our plan to become a university that drives social change with integrative knowledge. We remain committed to solving social issues and promoting digital transformation (DX). Specifically, we believe that solving complex and challenging social issues requires integrative knowledge, which brings together insights from the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and even design.
During Asia Week, which centers around the Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies (Q-AOS), we aim to showcase Kyushu University's achievements and new developments in Asia-related research and education to domestic and international audiences. We wish to explore, together with all of you, the integrative knowledge needed to build a society that can achieve sustainable, diverse kinds of well-being.
This year's Asia Week, themed “Sharing Cultures – Enhancing Peace and Friendship”, will include presentations by early career researchers, reports from international student associations, cultural experiences, and more over five days.
These events aim to offer opportunities to experience the rich cultural tapestry of the region. We hope you'll join us.