On Friday, November 15, 2024, Ian Kennedy, Chair of the New Zealand side of the Japan-New Zealand Business Cooperation Committee, along with Rebecca Mehrtens of Aurecon New Zealand and Kanji Kuwata of Aurecon Australia, visited UEC. They held discussions with UEC President Shunichi Tano and Board of Directors (International and Public Relations Strategy)　Kazuaki Oya, responsible for international and public relations strategy.

Following the meeting and a commemorative photograph, the group explored potential collaborations between New Zealand industry and UEC. Representing UEC were Board of Directors Oya, Senior Coordinator Kazuaki Minami (Center for Industrial and Governmental Relations), Chief URA Takanobu Higuchi (Center for Industrial and Governmental Relations ), and Project Associate Professor Hiroki Furukawa (Internship Promotion Office).

During the discussions, UEC provided an overview of its Center for Industrial and Governmental Relations, UEC Prime, and its internship program, which fosters industry-academia collaboration by providing students with practical experience. Ideas for potential projects and internship opportunities were actively exchanged. Aurecon, a company engaged in energy-related industries, expressed interest in collaborating with UEC’s related centers and participating in UEC Prime initiatives.

As part of UEC’s efforts to strengthen partnerships in the Oceania region, the university is preparing to host the 3rd UoA/UEC Trans Pacific Symposium on Advanced Science and Engineering in New Zealand on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, in collaboration with the University of Auckland. President Tano and Board of Directors Oya will also visit other New Zealand universities during their trip to further solidify these valuable relationships.