On January 8, 2026, a hybrid-format meeting was held at the Center for International Strategy of the Nara National University Corporation to provide an overview of and exchange views on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the “International Exchange Experience Program,” one of the key pillars of the “International Campus Nara” initiative. Following opening remarks by Director Satoshi Kagiwada and Deputy Director Linyu Liu, participants received an overview of the Center’s initiatives and international strategy, after which a detailed explanation of the “International Exchange Experience Program” was presented.

 

 Established in fiscal year 2023, the Nara International Strategy Center has now entered its third year of implementing various “International Exchange Experience Programs.” In this context, external reviewers from local companies, municipal governments, and boards of education were invited to conduct an interim evaluation of the program, focusing on its effectiveness in promoting international and intercultural understanding, as well as on whether the program contributes to the development of the qualities and competencies expected to support students’ success after graduation, from the respective perspectives of industry, local government, and educational authorities. In addition, the achievements and challenges of the Center’s initiatives to date, together with the future evaluation schedule, were shared, followed by a question-and-answer session and an exchange of opinions.

 

 Going forward, the Nara International Strategy Center will continue to enhance the internationalization of education, taking into account the feedback provided by the external reviewers.

 

<External Reviewers>

Ms. Rie Yamaguchi, Director, Interpretation Office / Head Office & R&D Human Resources Department, DMG MORI Co., Ltd.

Mr. Tatsuya Hitomi, Director, International Affairs Division, Governor’s Office, Nara Prefectural Government

Mr. Yasuhisa Yaoku, Director, Compulsory Education Division, Secretariat of the Nara Prefectural Board of Education