In a significant stride towards global academic collaboration, President Shunichi Tano and Member of the Board of Directors Kazuaki Oya of UEC visited New Zealand from December 4 to 8. The delegation, accompanied by key university representatives, visited the three major cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

One of the highlights of their visit was the inaugural UoA・UEC Trans-Pacific Symposium on Advanced Science and Engineering 2023, held in collaboration with the University of Auckland. The symposium, conducted in a hybrid format on December 4th, featured presentations from both institutions. Notable among them was Professor Yasuhiro Minami's insightful talk on "A new perspective on vocabulary spurt: A longitudinal data analysis of early vocabulary development in Japanese infants." Dr. Patrice Delmas from the University of Auckland shared ongoing research at the IVSLab, sparking dynamic discussions. Plans are in place to expand participation and continue the symposium in the years to come.

The collaborative spirit extended beyond the symposium, with visits to institutions including Auckland University of Technology, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Canterbury. Discussions centered on the potential for future collaboration, including international exchange agreements. Positive responses were received, indicating a promising future for academic partnerships.

The collaborative spirit extended beyond the symposium, with visits to institutions including Auckland University of Technology, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Canterbury. Discussions centered on the potential for future collaboration, including international exchange agreements. Positive responses were received, indicating a promising future for academic partnerships.

Diplomatic efforts were not overlooked, as the delegation visited the Japanese Embassy and Consulate General in each city. Here, they outlined the vision of UEC, seeking understanding and cooperation for fostering collaboration between UEC and New Zealand.

This visit serves as a catalyst for future initiatives, and UEC is committed to further enhancing its collaboration with New Zealand in the areas of academia, industry, and diplomatic relations. UEC will continue to share updates about this exciting global partnership.