Warm greetings from Saitama University, Japan!

Saitama is known for its well-developed industries and cultures, well-balanced urban and natural environment and convenience. The city of Saitama is the place where the Japanese have had a close relationship with foreigners for a long time and respecting and embracing people from other areas.

As the only national university established in Saitama Prefecture, Saitama University’s history begins a century ago. Three renowned Japanese national education universities, Urawa Higher School（est.1921, Saitama Normal School （est.1873）and Saitama Youth Normal School（est. 1922）were integrated into Saitama University in 1949 to cultivate talented minds. The University was established based on the diverse characteristics and the know-how of each institute. These founding principles reflect the diversity, harmony, and progress seen on our campus today. Saitama University has long been established as a respected national university within Japan. As part of its global initiative, the University convey outstanding results born from its multifarious research projects to scholars across the world.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) was founded in 1880. It was built as an independent university, free from interference by either church or state. At first, the university was only open to Reformed Christians who financed the university entirely through private funding and donations (via the famous ‘VU boxes’). In the 1960s the university became primarily state-funded and has since welcomed people from a rich diversity of cultural backgrounds and religious faiths.

Ever since 1880, the university has continued to expand. It now comprises nine faculties and hosts more than 15,000 Bachelor’s and almost 11,500
Master’s students. VU Amsterdam has over 4,500 employees (3,500 FTE), and more than 20% of its academic staff has an international background. The male-female ratio is evenly distributed. The teaching and research programs cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, from the Humanities to the
Sciences and from Medicine to Theology.

Greetings from Kansai University, Japan!

Kansai University was founded as Kansai Law School in November 1886, in the large commercial city of Osaka. Its founders consisted of a dozen people who were judicial officers and businesspersons. Kansai University has seen remarkable development over its many years. The University celebrated its 133rd anniversary in 2019. Kansai University has 13 faculties, 13 graduate schools, three professional graduate schools, as well as a preparatory course for international students. Over its long history, all those involved in building its institution have had to overcome various hardships to achieve such prestigious standing.

Greeting from Sophia University, Tokyo!

The origin of Sophia University can be traced back to more than 450 years ago when the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier came to Japan in 1549 to spread Christianity in Japan. The actual foundation of the university began in 1908 when three Jesuit priests arrived in Japan in response to a request from the Roman Pontiff at that time, Pope Pius X. Five years later, in 1913, they opened the first Catholic university in Japan on this Kioi site where Sophia still stands.

Greetings from SciencesPo, France!

Sciences Po is an international research university, both selective and open onto the world, ranking among the finest institutions in the fields of humanities and social sciences. Sciences Po has served the general interest ever since its founding. This social responsibility influences all of its activities: student recruitment, education, research, and institutional governance. Since its creation in 1872, Sciences Po has been an institution in perpetual motion, constantly innovating and pushing back boundaries. The education and degrees offered at Sciences Po meet international standards and are recognized by the most renowned universities in the world.

Greetings from Saitama University, Japan!

Saitama is known for its well-developed industries and cultures, well-balanced urban and natural environment and convenience. The city of Saitama is the place where the Japanese have had a close relationship with foreigners for a long time and respecting and embracing people from other areas.

As the only national university established in Saitama Prefecture, Saitama University’s history begins a century ago. Three renowned Japanese national education universities, Urawa Higher School（est.1921, Saitama Normal School （est.1873）and Saitama Youth Normal School（est. 1922）were integrated into Saitama University in 1949 to cultivate talented minds. The University was established based on the diverse characteristics and the know-how of each institute. These founding principles reflect the diversity, harmony, and progress seen on our campus today. Saitama University has long been established as a respected national university within Japan. As part of its global initiative, the University convey outstanding results born from its multifarious research projects to scholars across the world.

Greetings from Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan!

Meiji University was founded in January 1881 as the Meiji Law School by a group of young lawyers barely in their 30’s. It was an era characterized by Japan’s urgent need to develop as a modern independent nation. The three founded the Meiji Law School in their fervent hope to “foster bright capable youths who would lead modern civil society in Japan”. Until now, Meiji University has expanded to become one of the most prominent private universities in Japan, and it is celebrating its 139th anniversary in 2020.

Greetings from Tohoku University, Japan!

Tohoku University was established as Japan’s third national university in 1907. Located on the ancient site of Aoba Castle in Sendai City, Tohoku University is proud to be ranked among Japan’s leading universities. Since its establishment, Tohoku University has established itself as an academic leader, producing a number of achievements under the spirit of Research First, the philosophy of Open Doors and the policy of Practice-Oriented Research and Education.

Greetings from Nagoya University, Japan!

Nagoya University has a 144-year history, dating from when the Temporary Medical School/Public Hospital — the forerunner of today’s Nagoya University — was established in 1871. The University became the last Imperial University of Japan in 1939, and the educational reforms in 1949 led to the beginning of Nagoya University under the new education system. From that time to this day, the University has been pursuing steady development.

As of 2018, Nagoya University boasts nine undergraduate schools, 13 graduate schools, three research institutes and three inter-university service facilities, standing strong and proud as one of the country’s core “comprehensive” universities.

Greetings from the University of Oxford!

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. It was established in 1985 to encourage the scholarly study of Islam and the Islamic world. The Centre provides a meeting point for the Western and Islamic worlds of learning. At Oxford, it contributes to the multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary study of the Islamic world. Beyond Oxford, its role is strengthened by an international network of academic contacts. For more information, please refer to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies website.