The University of Lethbridge has signed a collaboration agreement with Gakushuin Women's College in Tokyo, Japan that will create new opportunities for faculty and staff at both institutions.

The agreement will see the two institutions develop study abroad programs, exchange students and faculty members and promote cooperation in academic activities. Signed by U of L President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon, and President of Gakushuin Women’s College, Yasuharu Ishizawa, the agreement was made official earlier this week.

“This will create tremendous opportunities for our students,” says Mahon. “Gakushuin Women’s College, like the U of L, places great emphasis on creating a supportive and personal learning environment. This agreement will go a long way in promoting better international and intercultural understandings among the students of both institutions.”

Gakushuin Women's College is a four-year undergraduate institution that also offers a two-year post-graduate Master of Arts program in Intercultural Studies in its Graduate School.

Gakushuin includes a university, women's college, boys' junior and senior high school, girls' junior and senior high school, elementary school and kindergarten. While the history of Gakushuin dates back to March 1847, when Emperor Komei established an institution named Gakushuin in Kyoto in order to educate the children of the nobility, Gakushuin Women's College was established in its current form in 1998.

The U of L has experienced great success in developing partnerships in Japan. The U of L has enjoyed a reciprocal relationship with Hokkai Gakuen University for the past 33 years, which has facilitated many faculty and student exchanges. In addition, the Faculty of Management International Programs has exchange partnerships with Kansai Gaidai University, Nagoya University of Foreign Studies and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

Building international connections is a key component of the University’s strategic direction to enhance relationships with external communities, as detailed in Destination 2020 – the U of L’s strategic plan.