グジャラート大学は1949年に設立されたインド・グジャラート州アーメダバード市に位置する州立総合大学です。グジャラート大学と追手門学院大学は、1970年に学生交換を開始して以来、半世紀以上にわたって友好関係を継続してきました。今回の訪問は、この長年の信頼関係を再確認するとともに、急速に変化する国際社会や日印関係に合わせ、従来の学生交流の枠を超えた実効性の高い連携策を模索することを目的に実施されました。

当日は、本学の松井健副学長（国際連携企画委員会委員長）や小松久恵国際学部長をはじめとする大学執行部がグプタ学長一行を迎えました。
松井副学長は、これまでの交流への謝辞とともに、インターンシップや学生支援の拡充に向けた議論を深めたいとの意向を表明。これに対しグプタ学長からは、本学の歴史と教育環境への敬意が示されるとともに、ビジネス連携や、互いの強みを生かした「共同プログラム」の検討についての提案もなされました。単なる文化交流に留まらない、社会に資する意義深いパートナーシップの構築について、活発な意見交換が行われました。

一行は茨木総持寺キャンパスおよび茨木安威キャンパスを視察。茨木総持寺キャンパスでは、インド出身の学生が案内役を務め、学習施設や教育環境を紹介しました。今後、今回交わされた趣意書に基づき、学生交流、教育・研究の両面から日印両国を繋ぐ人材育成を推進してまいります。

Title:
Otemon Gakuin University Exchanges a Statement of Purpose with Gujarat University, a State University in India
Building on more than 50 years of student exchanges to deepen collaboration in education and research

Overview
On 22 April, Otemon Gakuin University welcomed a delegation from Gujarat University, a state comprehensive university in the state of Gujarat, India, and exchanged a Statement of Purpose concerning future academic collaboration. Vice Chancellor Neerja A. Gupta and Mr. Dhaval Shah, in charge of the GU–Japan Exchange Program, visited Otemon’s Ibaraki-Sojiji Campus and met with Vice President MATSUI Takeshi and other members of the university. Against the background of more than 50 years of exchanges since 1970, both universities reaffirmed their intention to further develop cooperative relations in the fields of education and research.

Background
Gujarat University is a state comprehensive university located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India, established in 1949. Gujarat University and Otemon Gakuin University have maintained a friendly relationship for more than half a century since the start of student exchanges in 1970. The purpose of this visit was to reaffirm this long-standing relationship of trust and, in light of the rapidly changing international environment and Japan–India relations, to explore more effective forms of collaboration beyond the conventional framework of student exchanges.

Details of the Visit
On the day of the visit, Vice President MATSUI Takeshi (Chair of the Committee of International Cooperation and Planning), Dean KOMATSU Hisae of the Faculty of International Studies, and other members of the university’s executive and administrative leadership welcomed Vice Chancellor Gupta and her delegation. Vice President MATSUI expressed his gratitude for the longstanding exchanges and his wish to deepen discussions on enhancing internships and student support. In response, Vice Chancellor Gupta expressed her appreciation for Otemon Gakuin University’s history and educational environment, and proposed exploring business collaboration and possible “joint programs” that make use of the strengths of both universities. Lively discussions were held on building a meaningful partnership that contributes to society and goes beyond mere cultural exchange. The delegation then visited both the Ibaraki-Sojiji Campus and the Ibaraki-Ai Campus. At the Ibaraki-Sojiji Campus, an Indian student currently enrolled at Otemon Gakuin University served as guide, introducing the university’s learning facilities and educational environment from a student’s perspective. Based on the Statement of Purpose exchanged during this visit, the two universities will continue to promote the cultivation of human resources who connect Japan and India through student exchanges and collaboration in both education and research.