In striving to internationalize knowledge, it is crucial to increase the University's international presence. Establishing and maintaining an international university network (such as the International Network of Universities or INU*) and considering technical collaborations with other Japanese universities that are internationally advanced, and establishing and strengthening overseas education in the Asia-Africa region may be effective in achieving this objective. Collaboration with, and contributions to, domestic and international society are also required, but in order to progress quickly in the internationalization of knowledge, the encouragement of high-quality international joint-research is more practical. It is important to survey and examine the possibilities and limitations in promoting international educational-industrial collaborations and to consider the best way for the University to create and dispatch knowledge as a part of the internationalization strategy.

*Note: The INU is an international organization of 14 universities from around the world, such as La Trobe University (Australia), the University of Leicester (England), Malmo University (Sweden), James Madison University (United States), and others.

Internationalizing scholars means raising individuals with the gifts and capabilities necessary to be internationally active, and providing an internationalized learning environment in order to achieve this objective. In order for Hiroshima University to be a university open to international society and recognized around the world, it must be a university where excellent international students with highly promising futures gather. Attracting international students and training them as talented individuals is an important objective that requires international marketing and developing opportunities, and curriculums, that train internationally minded and internationally capable students.

Promoting the internationalization of those involved in education and research is also of the utmost importance. Along with the internationalization of the composition of the faculty system, the University will improve the faculty's international awareness and their skills in order for them to be internationally active, and design and implement a system of faculty development that will train internationally minded individuals. The University must also establish, promote, and maintain a support system that meets the needs of those involved in education and research in the development of international activities.

Along with the internationalization of staff composition, the University needs to consider appointing foreigners to management positions within the university in order to become a university that is internationally competitive. It is important to establish and implement staff development to deepen staff understanding of international activities, improve attitudes toward international students, and create international interest. In order to support international education and research activities, and to promote internationalization, it is important to appoint and utilize foreign students with diverse abilities and talents.

International contribution to developing countries is a mission of great importance to Hiroshima University, and the activities undertaken by the University thus far have already distinguished Hiroshima University as a leader in this area. However, there is a strong need to develop a system for contributing knowledge and human resources to international cooperation, and promoting commitment at the organizational level, actual participation, contribution, and involvement in international cooperation. There is also a need to develop education and research cooperation in developing countries by applying for the World Bank's international projects. In this situation, international business models are also important.

It is important to not only ensure that the University is easily accessible worldwide, but also that the University is friendly to people from around the world. The University must create a campus that is internationally recognized by establishing an inquiries window to handle individual questions and concerns from overseas within four (4) days, and by being a university where many people can visit, and where international students and researchers can feel satisfied. An internationalization promotion system must be established with the objective of improving the quality of international activities and facilitating collaboration. It is also becoming increasingly important, and necessary, to maintain a technologically up-to-date environment based on Universal Design. Creating a technologically sound and up-to-date campus is crucial to the internationalization of the campus.

Along with cooperation from the local community, the University must create an environment where international students, researchers, and their families can feel safe living. One way in which to create such an environment is the provision of low-cost, safe housing to those studying or working on campus. There is also the need to reinvestigate and establish an efficient and effective care and support program or system for international students and researchers. In order to become a university whose graduates think fondly of it afterward, the establishment of a program or system which follows up on international students after they have returned to their home countries, and having graduates realize the merits of being alumni of Hiroshima University, is an issue which the University feels is quite important.