September 20-22, the International Network of Universities (INU) Executive Meeting and annual Council Meeting were held at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy) with President, Vice-President or other representatives in attendance from the following universities: Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Flinders University (Australia), James Madison University (USA), University of Leicester (UK), Ritsumeikan University (Japan), Malmo University (Sweden), and Kyung Hee University (the Republic of Korea).From Hiroshima University, Prof. Yamane (Vice President and Executive (Research)), Prof. Nishitani (Vice Executive (International/Peace)), Mr. Sakaguchi (Chief Manager, International Student Exchange Group), and Ms. Umemura (International Planning Coordinator) attended.



At the Council Meeting, the fourth INU Student Seminar and the first Master’s Summer School, both held in August at Hiroshima, received high praise from the member institutions. A student from Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore who participated in the Student Seminar presented her experience and impact of the Seminar, and Prof. Nishitani and the INU Secretariat gave a report on the evaluations of all student participants.It was confirmed at this meeting that both programs will continue to take place in Hiroshima next year and onward with increased support from the member institutions.



It was reported that Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Hungary), an associate member of the Network, has decided to withdraw from the Network. The members agreed to invite institutions from EU, the Americas, China, and Africa to become new members.



International Officers Special Interest Group (SIG) and Research Steering Committee were held after the Council Meeting.The International Officers shared with each other current status of International Education at each university, and exchanged ideas on how they can collaborate in further increasing and balancing out student and staff exchanges.The Research Steering Committee agreed to organize a workshop on Water or Peace in the coming year. The Committee also decided on starting a project in earning external funding utilizing a consulting agency.



* The INU is an international university consortium founded in 1999, proposed by the former President Osborne of La Trobe University (Australia). HiroshimaUniversity joined the Network in 2000 and has been on executive board since 2003.



For inquiries regarding this article, please contact:

Ms. Hisako Umemura

International Student Exchange Group

Tel: 082-424-4346

E-mail: ryugaku-group (at) office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp