High-quality education and outstanding research unite Linköping University with universities in Japan – but there are also shared challenges. For example, the timing of semester starts should be synchronised, according to Japan’s ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi.
Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson discusses guidelines for strengthened ties between LiU and Japan with the new Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Hideaki Mizukoshi.Photographer: Charlotte Perhammar
The new Japanese ambassador gains insights into the MIRAI Collaboration
An ambassador touring in their new role is sure to gain many insights into how closely the “home country and host country” are connected. When Japan’s new ambassador, Mr. Hideaki Mizukoshi, visited LiU, many examples were given of cooperation and exchanges in education and research. A large part takes place through MIRAI, a collaboration between 17 Swedish and Japanese universities. LiU has been involved since 2016, and the ties between the two countries are stronger than ever. Among other things, seed funding has been distributed to many Japanese–Swedish projects, joint doctoral courses and workshops have been held, research and innovation weeks organised, short-term mobility opportunities created for younger researchers, and matchmaking between business and academia in Japan and Sweden has been a focus.
I immediately felt when I arrived here that LiU is a great place to study, and I will definitely recommend Japanese students to come here - Mr. Mizukoshi at the meeting with university management, researchers, and students.
A strong research nation
Over the years, Japan has received 33 Nobel laureates, two of them this year. It is therefore a strong research nation, which was confirmed by the LiU researchers present at the meeting. Materials technology, organic bioelectronics, visualisation, and research linked to demographics and an ageing population are examples of areas where there are strong common interests. Producing research results that lead to innovations is another area where there is a mutual need for exchange.
The students Gayathri Naranath Jayakumar, who is studying for a master’s in information technology at LiU and has been an exchange student in Japan, and Tamaki Kishi from Sophia University, currently an exchange student at LiU, pointed out that there are many similarities between the countries, and above all, a great interest in what it is like to live and study in Sweden and Japan respectively.
“Swedes like Japanese people, and my impression was that Japanese people like Swedes too,” said Gayathri Naranath Jayakumar.
“Yes, I even found a Japanese expression that seems to correspond to the Swedish ‘lagom’ (which is said to be unique to Sweden). In Japanese, it’s taru-wo-shiru. Roughly, ‘I am content’,” said Tamaki Kishi.
Photographer: Charlotte Perhammar
The exchange student Tamaki Kishi in conversation with Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson.
Japanese time and Swedish time
But there are also differences. For example, Japanese students usually take the fastest route to academic studies, while Swedish students might take a gap year for work or travel. And concepts such as sustainability, equality, and inclusion may be stronger in people’s consciousness in Sweden.
“The fact that semester times and financial years are different complicates things. Both for students who need to fit in their courses, and when budgets and other matters are to be decided,” said Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson.
“Yes, the Japanese academic year starts in April, and I know that some of our universities are trying to be more flexible and accept exchange students in September. So I hope that will be resolved in the future,” replied Mr Mizukoshi.
Then, of course, there is the language barrier, which can be greater for Swedish students going to Japan than the other way around. In Sweden, a larger proportion of teaching is in English.
“Are there courses in Japanese at LiU? Perhaps that could be a good start for those who want to come to Japan and study,” Japan’s new ambassador cautiously suggested.
Photographer: Charlotte Perhammar
