Conference Documentation

Universities in Japan and Germany occupy a central role in the process of globalization: higher levels of education and excellence in research are the keys for individuals as well as for the whole of society to produce a balance between opportunities and risks of the globalization process. The flexibility and competitiveness of national higher education systems will be decisive in whether a society can connect and keep up with international developments. At the same time universities are influenced by economic and political developments. Thus, individual universities as well as the higher education sector as a whole must deal with the challenges of the globalization process in the field of academic teaching and research.

The JDZB and the Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (German Conference of University Presidents) in cooperation with the JACUIE will meet to discuss a few of the issues related to the above developments. With Germany’s ‘Excellence Initiative’ and Japan’s (Global) Centers of Excellence, both countries are seeking to face the challenges of globalization in the academic sector. The event will commence with a focus on the topic of promoting excellence.

The second day will deal with issues related to higher education management focusing on the strategic internationalization of universities. The event will offer opportunities to discuss how we can deepen German-Japanese cooperation in teaching and research.

The conference will start on May 17 to coincide with the commencement of the "Science Days" in Berlin’s Southwest within the framework of the Berlin Year of Sciences, and will be held in English at the Seminaris Campushotel of the Free University Berlin. The second conference day will be held at the JDZB and simultaneously translated into German and Japanese.