Led by Prof. Yoshihiro Kitamura, Assistant Dean, and Mr. Shuhei Yamamoto, Senior Coordinator, the visit focused on exploring research partnerships, academic exchange programs and future collaborations between the two universities.
Prof. Gregor Halff, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, welcomed the delegation and spoke about the importance of social sciences in today’s world. He explained that as technology advances, understanding society and human behaviour is crucial to solving real-world problems.
In the collaborative discussion, VU researchers shared their great research examples and discussed possible areas of collaboration:
- Prof. Jacquelien van Stekelenburg, Vice-Dean of Research and Impact, introduced the faculty’s research and impact vision & strategy. She explained how they conduct impactful research and fostering interdisciplinary teamwork.
- Prof. Kees Boersma presented VU Amsterdam’s expertise in crisis management and disaster resilience, highlighting contributions to the EU Horizon 2020 project LINKS, which connects technology and society to improve disaster response with 16 partners from 7 European countries and Japan, among other projects.
- Dr. Philipp K. Masur introduced the Digital Media and Behavior Lab (DMB-Lab), which studies how digital technology influences human behavior and society.
Beyond research discussions, the delegation also toured VU Amsterdam’s campus, gaining insights into student life, housing, and university support systems. The visit provided a closer look at our vibrant academic environment and opportunities for future student and faculty exchanges.
This visit marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration between VU Amsterdam and Waseda University. Both universities look forward to working together on research projects as well as student and faculty exchanges in the years to come.
