A delegation from Josai University Educational Corporation lead by Chancellor Noriko Mizuta (Yukihisa Kitamura, Head of the Chancellor’s Office; Gorota Kume, Vice-head of the Center for European Studies; Prof. Romain Duchesnes, Faculty of Media) visited France from September 22 to September 27, 2015. Josai University signed an academic exchange agreement with the IÉSEG School of Management, Université Catholique de Lille and with the Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne in October 2014. The Center for European Studies was established on this occasion.
　 During this visit, Josai University signed an exchange agreement with a new partner university in France, the Université de Bourgogne and deepened the bonds already existing with partner university Université Catholique de Lille opening a new 1+1 research program as well as creating links between art museums. While visiting the Université Catholique de Lille, the Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne, the Université de Bourgogne and the Musée Guimet, the delegation was able to make arrangements to open a research program focusing on a new language and culture thus making significant steps to promote academic exchange between our university and France.

Detailed schedule:
Morning of September 22
Visit to the Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne

Members:
Luc Hittinger: President
Claire Sotinel: Vice President for International Relations
Martin Schwell: Assistant Vice President for International Relations
François Tavernier: Head of Administration
Eric Hertzler: International Coordinator, Faculty of Economics and Management
Vincent Ferré: International Coordinator, Faculty of Literature, languages and humanities
Maëlle Flot: Head of International relations office

After a presentation about each university, Josai introduced its Center for European Studies and outlined its future activities. Representatives from the Université Paris-Est Créteil stated that they “whish to send many students to Josai in order to better international education.” Josai agreed to make swift arrangements to welcome these French international students.
　 Both universities were also able to reach an agreement to examine in more details the possibility of a future “1+1 double degree program.” Expending the scoop of the interview, both parties discussed current business and collaboration interests, possibilities for a graduate level 1+1 program as well as exchange between other departments.
　 After the meeting the delegation toured the campus and had lunch with President Luc Hittinger who is a medical doctor and discuss various exchange possibilities in the science field.

Afternoon of September 22
Visit to the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales

Members:
Prof. Michael Lucken
The Josai delegation met with Prof Lucken, a specialist of modern Japanese culture and politics. After discussing the particularities of the INALCO as well as its ties to Japan, Josai presented its “Japan in the World” program and the International Symposium to be organized in January 2016 (13th and 14th). The discussion was followed by a meeting with the professors engaging in Japan related research and Josai asked for their future collaboration, a request that was met with enthusiasm.

September 23
Université Catholique de Lille

Members:
Pierre Giorgini: President
Anne-Marie Michel: Director of International Relations
Susan McGregor: Director, ICL Clarife – Language Center
Giulia Sandri: Associate Professor in Political Science International Programs Coordinator, ESPOL European School of Political and Social Sciences

The Josai delegation met Prof. McGregor who will be in charge of the Josai students enrolled in the French Studies training and discussed the schedule and other practical details of the curriculum. The Josai delegation then outlined the role of the Center for European Studies and the Support Center. The team then discussed Graduate School professor Sandri’s policy class’s contents (food culture, cyber-security, etc.), signed the 1+1 agreement and discussed about future cooperation at graduate level.
　 Former exchange students who went to Josai and are now employed at the International Center gave the delegation a tour of the campus taking the participants to the medicinal garden as well as the Innovation Center. The mix of old and new architecture on one single campus fascinated the Josai team.
　 President Giorgini then expressed his expectations for Josai as a partner university in Japan and his belief that the participation of Japan is necessary in our global society. President Giorgini also expressed his whish for even greater academic exchange and collaboration.

Sptemebr 24
Musée Guimet

Members:
Jacques Gies（Former head of the Musée Guimet）
Hélène Bayou（Curator）
Yukiko Ueshima　（Responsible for patronage）

Since students from Josai will be given the opportunity to study abroad in France, the Josai delegation went to the Musée Guimet to arrange a study program. Since both Josai University and Josai International University offer lectures on the theme “Japan in the World” the delegation felt that the Musée Guimet is a very appropriated place to learn more about the place of Japan in the world. The museum even agreed to show the students the backyard and storage units, which are normally forbidden to the public.

September 25
Visit to the Université de Bourgogne

Members:
Alain Bonnin: President
Bénédicte Fortier: Special Counsel to President for internationalization, Head of International affairs
Grégory Wegmann: Vice President for education, Ass. Prof at IAE

After a presentation introducing each university, the Josai delegation introduced the center for European Studies and the Support Center. President Bonnin then signed the academic exchange agreement, officially becoming Josai’s fourth partner university in France.
　 Both parties then exchanged their views on short and long-term study abroad programs. The Josai delegation expressed its whish to send three students to France as soon as possible as well as Josai’s intention to welcome French students. Both parties suggested that the short training program for Josai’s students in France should begin as soon as possible.
　 Since President Bonnin is also a medical doctor, both parties discuss exchange possibilities in the medical field (nursing, social work, physical therapy, etc.)