Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly Chair Tatsuya Tokunaga (left), TUJ Dean Matthew Wilson (center) and Nagasaki Governor Kengo Oishi (right) during a photo session following the signing of a collaborative agreement in Tokyo.
Building on its strategic commitment to internationalization and quality global education, the Japan campus of Temple University (TUJ) signed a collaborative agreement with Nagasaki Prefecture on March 8, 2024. This is the second major agreement recently entered into by TUJ with a Japanese prefecture. TUJ stands as only the third university, following Meiji University and Nagasaki University, to establish a comprehensive collaborative pact with the prefecture.
At a ceremony held at the Prefectural Assembly Hall in Tokyo, TUJ Dean Matthew Wilson and Nagasaki Prefecture Governor Kengo Oishi executed the Memorandum of Understanding. This memorandum provides a foundation for cooperation in terms of international education, language training, research, overall development of globally minded talent, attraction of foreign companies and workers to the island of Kyushu in southern Japan, and skills development related to hospitality management and other important sectors. The collaborative relationship also contemplates TUJ students, faculty and leaders engaging with individuals, schools and industry in Nagasaki prefecture in various forms and fashions. It also involves priority access for Nagasaki prefecture residents to TUJ resources offered in-person and virtually through its locations in Tokyo and Kyoto, which will begin operation in 2025.
Commenting on the agreement, TUJ Dean Wilson said, “As a global education leader, TUJ is thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with Nagasaki Prefecture, a partnership that promises mutual benefits and opportunities for growth. This agreement signifies a commitment to fostering academic and cultural exchanges, promoting international contributions, and working together towards a brighter future. The rich history and vibrant culture of Nagasaki complement Temple University’s dedication to global education, making this collaboration an exciting venture with immense potential for both parties. We salute Governor Oishi for his leadership and international spirit.”
Nagasaki Governor Oishi said, “We have formalized a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) and Nagasaki Prefecture to foster mutual development in key areas such as human resource development and exchange, improving the environment for welcoming people from overseas and advancing globalization in our prefecture. This agreement aligns with the resources and needs of both parties, including securing human resources and offering internships in the tourism sector, a vital industry for the prefecture. Through collaboration with TUJ, we aim to nurture an international mindset by providing diverse global education and exchange opportunities, benefiting not only local students but also businesses and the community. Leveraging this opportunity, we seek to enhance our economic activities and community life. We anticipate that this agreement will strengthen the bond between TUJ and Nagasaki, fostering friendship and driving mutual promotion and revitalization.”
This marks the second collaborative agreement for TUJ following its accord with Yamanashi Prefecture in December 2022. Additionally, TUJ has signed city-level agreements with Tokyo’s Setagaya City in 2022 and Tokyo’s Minato City, its former location, in 2006.
Turning a new page in TUJ’s 42-year history, TUJ announced on February 9, 2024, its plan to launch a new satellite location in Kyoto City to open in January 2025. Present at the media conference were Kyoto Prefecture Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki and Kyoto City Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa, who both expressed their excitement about welcoming the expansion of a top-ranked American university into the Kansai region and working with Temple University and its world-renowned Tourism & Hospitality Management program.
For many years, TUJ’s primary focus was on the Kanto region, but as TUJ’s student body and the university as a whole continue to grow, its presence is expanding into the Kansai region and other western areas of Japan. The planned launch of a new satellite location in Kyoto will broaden TUJ’s reach, facilitating joint academic activities and other collaborations with Nagasaki Prefecture more effectively.
Founded in 1884, Temple University is a public university in Pennsylvania, USA with more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The university has eight campuses, including those in Italy and Japan, and is ranked 45th in the U.S. News & Reports rankings (2023) of public universities in the United States. Established in 1982, TUJ is the oldest and largest branch campus of a foreign university in Japan. Students studying at TUJ receive their degrees from Temple University. In 2005, TUJ was officially designated as the first foreign university in Japan by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In recent years, TUJ has experienced record enrollment growth in its undergraduate degree program. In addition to over 2,200 undergraduate students, TUJ educates over 250 students in graduate programs in education, management and law. TUJ also provides non-degree programming to more than 1,800 learners through its continuing education programs, community engagement, and Academic English Programs for children, Japanese university students, and adults.
Other related stories
- Temple University, Japan Campus Unveils New Kyoto Satellite Campus Commencing from January 2025 (February 9, 2024)
- Temple University Japan Expands Course Offerings with New Tourism and Hospitality Degree Program in Fall 2023 (April 17, 2023)
- Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) and Yamanashi Prefecture Sign Cooperation Agreement (December 13, 2022)