40 Years of Partnership: NC State and Nagoya University Celebrate Decades of Global Collaboration

Following four decades of student exchange and research collaboration, the visit served as both a reflection on past achievements and a look ahead to future opportunities between the two institutions.

Commemorating a Lasting Partnership

The visit, led by NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson and Vice Provost for Global Engagement Amy Conger, featured a series of events and business meetings at Nagoya University. These included a formal renewal of the long-standing student exchange agreement, a fireside chat between university leaders, and a tree planting ceremony to symbolize the partnership’s growth and endurance.

“This renewal signifies our shared commitment to providing our students with opportunities that prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of a globalized world,” said Vice President Norimi Mizutani of Nagoya University. “The impact of this exchange is immeasurable—not only for our two institutions but for the students who build lifelong friendships and gain invaluable academic insights.”

NC State and Nagoya University first formalized their Agreement of Cooperation in 1985, paving the way for increased academic and research collaboration. In 1996, the two institutions further strengthened their ties by establishing a  semester exchange program for students. Since then, over 400 students have participated, enriching their academic experiences and preparing them for the international dimensions of their future careers. 

“This partnership exemplifies the global reach and influence of NC State,” said Chancellor Woodson. “Over the past four decades, we’ve seen countless students and faculty benefit from our joint programs, shared research expertise and new approaches to problem solving.”

Strengthening Research Collaboration

In addition to student exchanges, faculty at both universities have worked together on research projects that tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. These collaborations span diverse disciplines, including health, biology, environmental science, engineering, physics, psychology, and agriculture. Recent seed grants have funded groundbreaking work, such as:

• Coastal City Resilience: Addressing how Japan and the U.S. can adapt shipping infrastructure to rising sea levels and stronger storms.
• Food Security & Artificial Intelligence: Using generative AI to detect fungal infections in crops, a step toward improving global food security.

“Fostering new faculty connections continues to be a priority, and seed grants have been one of our most effective ways to bring new colleagues into the fold,” said Vice Provost Amy Conger. “Bringing our researchers together strengthens the impact of their work, and we are eager to expand into even more disciplines in the future.”

Beyond these initiatives, NC State and Nagoya University have co-authored nearly 200 research publications since 1989. The institutions continue to explore ways to deepen their academic collaboration in high-impact fields like data science, biotechnology and sustainable agriculture.

Leadership and Innovation in Higher Education

The enduring partnership between the two universities is supported by strong leadership at both institutions. NC State Chancellors and Nagoya University Presidents have consistently met in person over the years to exchange ideas and reinforce their commitment to global collaboration. One of the most significant outcomes of this partnership has been the establishment of the Nagoya University Global Campus at NC State’s Centennial Campus in 2023.

“This innovative platform has already expanded opportunities for student learning and pursued industry support for research that benefits both our institutions,” said Chancellor Woodson. “We are honored to have Nagoya University as a neighbor on our Centennial Campus.”

The global engagement efforts of both universities have also gained international recognition. In 2024, former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited NC State’s campus in Raleigh, along with the Japanese Ambassador to the United States. This marked the first time a foreign head of government had visited NC State since 1954, highlighting the strong economic and cultural ties between North Carolina and Japan.

“Japan is one of our state’s leading foreign investors, and our universities play important roles in fostering the exchange of ideas and educating future generations of leaders and innovators,” said Conger. “The relationships built through this partnership will continue to shape the future in meaningful ways.”

Looking Toward the Next 40 Years

As the celebration of this 40-year partnership concluded, leaders from both universities reflected on the future of their collaboration. The commitment to expanding research opportunities, strengthening student exchanges, and deepening industry partnerships remains strong.

“This visit was not just about celebrating the past—it was about looking ahead,” said Woodson. “We look forward to generating new ideas and charting a course for the next 40 years together.”