Topics

On September 23, 2025, Shinshu University and Korea Maritime & Ocean University (KMOU) held the opening ceremony for the Shinshu University / KMOU Liaison Office on the 10th floor of the Sanhak Hub Hall at KMOU’s Arch Campus.

Since June 2024, the Institute for Aqua Regeneration (ARG) at Shinshu University has been conducting joint research with KMOU under a collaborative agreement. Subsequently, on December 25, 2024, the two universities signed an Inter-University MoU, and as part of this collaboration, the Shinshu University / KMOU Liaison Office was established at KMOU’s Arch Campus.

The new liaison office is expected to further promote academic exchange and joint research between the two universities. Research activities will focus on advancing cutting-edge studies in marine and energy-related fields and fostering the development of science and technology aimed at realizing Aqua Regeneration—the regeneration of the Earth through water.

On the same day, the International Symposium on Advanced Water and Environmental Materials was jointly organized by Shinshu University, KMOU, Pusan National University, and Gyeongsang National University—four institutions that have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with ARG.

The symposium featured presentations on state-of-the-art technologies in materials science and discussions on their crucial role in addressing global water and environmental challenges. Lively exchanges among participants made this event a valuable opportunity to strengthen future collaboration among the partner institutions.

【Background of the Agreement】

In December 2023, Shinshu University was selected as a core institution under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) program “J-PEAKS” — the Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities.

This project envisions Shinshu University as a “university co-creating next-generation solutions based on research excellence in Aqua Regeneration, aiming to revitalize the water planet, Earth.” To realize this vision, the Institute for Aqua Regeneration (ARG) was established in March 2024.

ARG integrates world-leading research in areas such as water circulation, water production, and Green hydrogen. The institute promotes research and development, conducts demonstration projects addressing global water-related issues, and launches the creation of pilot “solution towns” that tackle regional challenges.

KMOU, on the other hand, has developed as a world-renowned university specializing in maritime and ocean studies, leading the advancement of the maritime industry. Building on its strong expertise in these fields, KMOU actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration across various domains. Through fundamental and applied research on green-energy-powered vessels and water purification technologies, the university contributes to addressing climate change and realizing a sustainable future society.

Through this partnership, Shinshu University and KMOU aim to integrate advanced research across the water-related sciences and enhance their global outreach in the field.

【Outline of the Agreement】

Effective Period: December 25, 2024 – December 24, 2029

Areas of Collaboration: Academic exchange, joint research, and researcher mobility