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On October 10, Professor Motohiro Tsuchiya, vice-president for global engagement at Keio University, participated as a panelist in the Edward Boyle Memorial Lecture, "The Importance of Global Partnerships in Higher Education: Case Studies from the RENKEI Network."

The event was organized together by the University of Leeds, the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and RENKEI, and was held at Ritsumeikan University’s Osaka Ibaraki Campus.

RENKEI is a consortium of research-intensive universities in Japan and the UK that promotes collaboration in education, research, and innovation, with Vice-President Tsuchiya serving as the co-chair representing its Japanese members.

The lecture highlighted the importance of international cooperation in these areas, and showcased RENKEI’s initiatives for fostering exchange among early-career researchers and creating new opportunities for joint research between Japan and the UK.

In his remarks, Vice-President Tsuchiya referred to when the founder of Keio University, Yukichi Fukuzawa, visited the United Kingdom in 1862 and attended the London International Exhibition of Industry and Art, a journey that later inspired his seminal work Things Western (Seiyō Jijō). Drawing from this historical example, Vice-President Tsuchiya stressed the enduring significance of university partnerships such as RENKEI and the importance of engaging with other cultures through personal and direct exchanges.