Tohoku University and University College London (UCL) have taken a major step forward in their long-standing partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) establishing a double degree programme in disaster science.

The agreement, signed during a June 18 visit by a six-member UCL delegation led by Vice Provost Geraint Rees, is the first double degree programme between Tohoku University and a British institution. It will create new opportunities for international education and strengthen Tohoku University's global presence in a field where it is widely recognised as a leader.

For Executive Vice President Masahiro Yamaguchi, the agreement represents more than an academic milestone. "There were many obstacles, and it took us three years of perseverance to overcome them, but we did," he said. "This shows the strength of the mutual trust, friendship and partnership that we have with UCL."

One of the main challenges was reconciling the different tuition systems in Japan and the United Kingdom. Under the final agreement, both universities will waive tuition fees for incoming students on the double degree programme, ensuring that participants pay fees only to their home institution. "Our business models may be a little different, but we agreed in the end that we are partners first," Yamaguchi said.

Rees echoed the sentiment that the agreement reflected the special relationship between the two institutions. "Relationships like ours are not based simply on the complementarity of the science or on scientific advantage. They're built on bonds of trust and respect and friendship between people," he said. "There are already so many similarities between our institutions, and now we have this agreement. I'm sure the next one will be easier!"

The signing ceremony was the centrepiece of a broader visit aimed at expanding cooperation in research, education and innovation. Over lunch and in parallel sessions held on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, researchers and leaders discussed a roadmap for collaboration in disaster science, neuroscience and quantum science - building on ideas first raised during President Teiji Tominaga's visit to UCL last December.

Disaster science remains the most developed area of cooperation between the two institutions, with ties forged in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and driven in large part by the efforts of Professor Fumihiko Imamura, the founding director of Tohoku University's International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS). The new double degree programme is expected to deepen this decade-long collaboration further through increased student mobility, deeper research collaboration and stronger links with industry and policymakers.

Neuroscience was identified as another promising area, combining UCL's strengths in clinical research with Tohoku University's expertise in advanced imaging technologies. Discussions also focused on expanding researcher exchanges and developing jointly funded projects.

In quantum science, both institutions will look to leverage Japan and Britain's continued investment in next-generation quantum technologies.

The visit concluded with a leadership meeting that highlighted ways in which UCL's extensive network could help increase Tohoku University's participation in Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship research funding programme.

Other topics included the potential for cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), as well as opportunities to leverage world-class facilities at Tohoku University such as NanoTerasu and the Tohoku Medical Megabank. "We obviously need to talk more," said Yamaguchi, "but we've made a very good start."

Contact:

Tohoku University Global Strategy Office
Tel: +81 22- 217-6311
Email: kokusai-cgrp.tohoku.ac.jp