Introduction

Message from the European Center

The Kyoto University European Center in Heidelberg

The Kyoto University European Center in Heidelberg was founded in May 2014 in order to strengthen academic exchange with universities in Europe.

The Kyoto University European Center has several key aims. It works to facilitate and promote strategic collaborative research projects with European partners. It also provides support for sending students to Europe and for early career researchers to develop their international careers. Kyoto University European Center offers advice to researchers in Europe who wish to stay in Kyoto to conduct research. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in expanding and reinforcing Kyoto University’s global connections with universities, research institutions, funding agencies and other academic organizations in Europe. Finally, the Kyoto University European Center offers support to Kyoto University researchers, students, and staff, especially in emergency situations.

In February 2009, Kyoto University opened its European Representative Office in London as the first overseas operating base in Europe to promote the university’s industry-academia collaboration activities. In June 2017, the London Office was closed and its functions were consolidated into Kyoto University’s central administration and the Kyoto University European Center.

The office in Heidelberg has the following 4 missions and also serves as a contact point for the Japanese members of the German-Japanese HeKKSaGOn University alliance (see below for details).

Introduction to Kyoto University European Center

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Missions　

1. Support for strategic international joint research

• Strengthening international collaborative research by providing support for the establishment of international research projects.
• Promoting international research activities and facilitating mobility by early-career researchers through international academic networks.

2. Promotion of international education-related projects

• Increase the university’s international student population by supporting the recruitment of talented international students.
• Advance the university’s goal of sending 2,000 students abroad annually by promoting of short-term study abroad programs.
• Promote the internationalization of graduate education by expanding graduate students’ opportunities for both short- and long-term study abroad.

3. Expand and strengthen the university’s international networks

• Strengthen partnerships with overseas universities and research organizations.
• Foster closer relationships with alumni associations.

4. Provide emergency assistance to researchers, students, and staff

• Collect information for risk and crisis management.
• Organize local crisis intervention efforts.

The HeKKSaGOn University Alliance

HeKKSaGOn is a university alliance comprising six leading universities from Japan and Germany: Heidelberg University, Kyoto University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Tohoku University (Sendai), University of Göttingen, and Osaka University. The consortium was established in 2010 with the aim of enhancing relationships between Japanese and German universities, including researcher and student exchange, research collaboration, and summer school programs.