The meeting was focused on the opportunities for cooperation between KTU and Fukuyama city, possible exchanges of lecturers, researchers, and students, especially in the field of information technology, were discussed, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed upon.
Together with Honorary Consul General Shigehiro Komaru, the newly elected Rector of Fukuyama City University, Dr Toshiyuki Sato, the representative of Fukuyama Transporting, Mr Yasushi Okamoto, and the Director of the Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation, Mr Hidemitsu Murata were also present in the delegation, accompanied by the Ambassador of Lithuania to Japan, Dr Aurelijus Zykas. At KTU, the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Prof. Dr Leonas Balaševičius and the Director of the Department of International Relations Dr Giedrė Šadeikaitė welcomed the delegation.
“We hope that this meeting will contribute to closer cooperation with the Japanese education and business sectors, and will provide more opportunities for both our teachers and students,” says Dr Giedrė Šadeikaitė, Director of the Department of International Relations.
Honorary Consul Shigehiro Komaru, President of Fukuyama Transporting, also presented the company’s activities in the field of education through the Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation. Representatives of Fukuyama Transporting were interested in attracting students for internships, and discussed job opportunities for graduates, mainly in IT and engineering. The company was also invited to participate in KTU Wanted Career Days.
The visit not only addressed the future steps of cooperation with Japan, but also gave a chance to reflect on what has already been achieved. The guests were introduced to KTU’s ongoing work with Japanese institutions, innovations patented in the Japanese Patent Office, students’ academic achievements, and the University’s achievements in the fields of IT, Artificial Intelligence, and cybersecurity were discussed.
Founded in 1948 in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Fukuyama Transportation is now one of the leading logistics companies in Japan, with 20,000 employees and around 400 branches nationwide. The company is also developing internationally, with branches in China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation, established by the founder of Fukuyama Transportation Noboru Shibuya, provides scholarship loans for students, supports educational and cultural institutions, and promotes other activities for community development.
