Founded in 1897, Kyoto University is not only the second oldest, but also one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. Around 22,600 students are currently enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programmes. It has 10 faculties, 18 graduate schools and 13 research institutes. Kyoto University ranks high in international university rankings - # 33 in the QS World University Rankings 2020 and #65 in the World University Rankings 2020.
Yoshida South Campus of Kyoto University ©Kyoto University
Ties of cooperation date back to the 1990s
Both universities have ties of collaboration since 1993. In 2018, the two universities reached a "Research Partnership Agreement" as a pre-stage of the Strategic Partnership Agreement. Joint workshops with academics from both universities were organised at the University of Vienna.
Rector Heinz W. Engl, President Juichi Yamagiwa (Kyoto University), f.l.t.r. (©Kyoto University)
Intensifying the cooperation
The Strategic Partnership aims to further develop and widen opportunities for joint research. A number of collaborations are already carrying out research in a variety of fields, for example in comparative social policy, computer science/knowledge engineering, cognitive biology, Asian studies, materials science and materials chemistry. However, the University of Vienna believes that there is great potential to further expand the fields of cooperation.
Future collaboration may include activities such as joint seminars, mobility fellowships and mutual research and teaching visits. Currently, the Non-EU Student Exchange Program offers three places per year for students of the University of Vienna to study in Kyoto for two semesters and vice versa.
Close cooperation in East Asia
The internationalisation strategy of the University of Vienna identifies Asia as a focus region. With Kyoto University, Fudan University and Peking University, the University of Vienna now has three Strategic Partner Universities in this region. Further Strategic Partners are the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Chicago.(red)
The International Office of the University of Vienna supports cooperation activities with Strategic Partner Universities through funding programs such as Mobility Fellowships (for research activities of three weeks to three months for predocs, postdocs and professors) and Joint Seminars (for workshops to develop joint research projects). Participation in these programs are open for activities with Kyoto University.
