The Institute for International Relations (IIR) was established in April 2009 to contribute to the internationalization of education and research and the development of human resources at Ehime University through the establishment of international strategies, the promotion of international collaborative projects, and the strengthening of international student exchange, in line with the philosophy and goals of the university.

Ehime University’s internationalization in both education and research, as well as the further development of international contributions in the areas of academics and culture, are the goals of this organization.We have developed a variety of ambitious initiatives, including organizational efforts in response to the Japanese government’s 300,000 international student plan, the development of international partnerships specializing in local to local, the establishment of an employment support system for international students through the Global Human Resources Development Program, and collaboration with Asia through our Japanese language education program.

Ehime University aims to be a “student-centered university,” “a university that shines with the community,” and “a university that connects with the world” through the realization of the goals stated in the Ehime University Charter.In terms of social contribution, the university is integrally promoting the production of outstanding human resources and contribution to the sustainable development of society by returning the results of its academic research.

Ehime University has contributed to the international community through these efforts, but as globalization accelerates and all activities in society are directly and indirectly connected to the world, the university must also actively respond to internationalization under a new philosophy.In a nutshell, this means creating a university that constantly interacts with the international community.To this end, we must further promote internationalization in the areas of education, research, and social contribution, and develop the infrastructure to support these activities.

Ehime University established the Institute for International Relations in 2009.The Institute has played a central role in developing a variety of ambitious initiatives, including organizational efforts in response to the government’s plan to increase the number of international students to 300,000, the development of international partnerships focused on core countries, the establishment of a job placement support system for international students, and collaboration with Asian countries through Japanese language education programs.

Based on these achievements, Ehime University has set forth the following basic strategies for promoting internationalization, aiming not only to realize a “student-centered university,” “a university that shines with the community,” and “a university that connects with the world,” but also to create “a university that produces internationally-minded human resources” and “a university that attracts people from around the world.

We nurture human resources who can collaborate with people around the world.

~Human resource development through an internationally standardized education system~

International networking in academic research

~International expansion with a focus on Asia~

Working with people around the world to address local issues

~International collaboration in accordance with the characteristics of the region~

Creating an internationally competitive campus environment

~Development of soft and hard infrastructure~

We nurture human resources who can collaborate with people around the world.
~Human resource development through an internationally standardized education system~

1. We will strive to develop internationally competitive educational systems and methods, such as credit transfer systems, double degree programs, and classes taught in English.
2. We will expand the program of sending students abroad to interact with people from all over the world and to experience the international community.
3. We systematically accept excellent international students and foreign researchers under international inter-university exchange agreements.
4. As a university based in the region, we will enhance education and employment support for international students while utilizing our network with the region.
5. We will create opportunities for domestic and international students to interact and enhance each other’s skills in both formal and informal education.

We will build an international network in academic research.
~International expansion with a focus on Asia~

1. We will build an international network of research centers, centered on the Center for Advanced Research, to enhance the international presence of Ehime University’s knowledge.
2. We will establish inter-university networks in Asian hub countries to promote joint research and educational research support.

Working with people around the world to address local issues
~International collaboration based on local characteristics~

1. Based on the industry-government-academia collaboration established in the Shikoku region, we will promote international inter-regional collaboration in our base countries.
2. We promote international cooperation from a global perspective to address issues of common importance in global society, such as the environment, disaster prevention, and infectious diseases.

Creating an internationally competitive campus environment
~Development of soft and hard infrastructure~

1. We will create a campus environment where students, researchers, and staff from Japan and abroad can talk and collaborate on a daily basis.
2. We will develop an infrastructure appropriate for globalization, including the establishment of an intra-university collaborative system for international affairs, training and capacity building for staff in charge of international affairs, and support for multilingualization of documents.
3. We will improve the infrastructure for safe living, including housing for international students and foreign researchers.

Profesor MITSUNOBU Kazuhiro

Exective Director and Vice President for International Relations

Director, Institute for International Relations

Ehime University

1．Mission of the Institute

2．Reinforcement of functions through reorganization of the Institute

3．Future aspirations

Director of IIR（Exective Director and Vice President, Ehime University）
MITSUNOBU Kazuhiro（Professor, Faculty of Law and Letters）

Associate Director of IIR（Special Aide to the President, Ehime University）
SUMIDA Manabu（Professor, Faculty of Education）／KOBAYASHI Osamu（Professor, IIR）

Faculty Members of IIR
CHEN Jie（Professor）　／　MURAKAMI Kazuhiro（Professor） 　／　TAKAHASHI Shino（Professor）　／　SHIMAGAMI Motoko（Professor）　／　KURITA Hideyuki（Associate Professor） 　／　ITSUKI Tomoko（Associate Professor）　／　HIDDING Adriana（Assistant Professor）

留学生就職促進プログラム推進室

International Relations Support Department

International Relations Division

※As of April 1, 2025

Organizations of IIR

（準備中です）

（準備中です）

• ASEAN Engagement Promotion Office, Africa Engagement Promotion Office

The ASEAN Engagement Promotion Office and Africa Engagement Promotion Office within the IIR aim to strengthen academic and research cooperation with the ASEAN and African regions, contributing to sustainable development. These offices promote exchanges of students and faculty, advance joint research projects, and facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing through collaboration with ASEAN and African nations. Specific activities include planning and operating exchange programs, coordinating joint research, and building networks with local companies and research institutions. This aims to cultivate globally-minded talent and contribute to regional communities.

ASEAN / Africa Engagement Promotion Office Homepage

• SUIJI Promotion Office

　Ehime University has formed the SUIJI (Six-University Initiative Japan Indonesia) Consortium with six universities in Japan and Indonesia (Ehime University, Kagawa University, Kochi University, Gadjah Mada University, IPB University, and Hasanuddin University), implementing multi-tiered joint education programs spanning undergraduate to graduate levels.

　At the undergraduate level, the SUIJI Service Learning Program (abbreviated as SUIJI-SLP) aims to cultivate SUIJI Servant Leaders — leaders who possess a global perspective and contribute to building a sustainable future from the local level, dedicating themselves to serving their communities. In this program, students from the six universities in Japan and Indonesia stay in rural, mountainous, or fishing villages in both countries for approximately three weeks. They learn together while tackling challenges faced by the communities, transcending differences in language, culture, and academic specialization.

The SUIJI Joint Program (abbreviated as SUIJI-JP) at the master’s and doctoral levels in graduate schools focuses on six educational and research fields in agricultural science: forestry, water cycle, soil, food science, plant environmental control, and marine production). Students from both countries take joint educational courses offered at the host university in the partner country and receive instruction and research guidance from faculty members at both their home university and the host university.

SUIJI Promotion Office Website

Ehime University has established Ehime University Overseas Satellite Offices in order to develop education and research activities in cooperation with the partner universities in academic exchange MoUs in a flexible and effective manner. Currently, satellite offices have been established at nine universities in five countries. Through the satellite offices, we promote student exchanges, mutual visits by faculty and staff, and international joint research.

• Overseas Satellite Office Nepal (Kathmandu) (established in 2006)
• Overseas Satellite Office Indonesia (Gadjah Mada University, established in 2009)
• Overseas Satellite Office Indonesia (IPB University, established in 2009)
• Overseas Satellite Office Indonesia (Hasanuddin University, established in 2009)
• Overseas Satellite Office, Mozambique (Lúrio University, established in 2014)
• Overseas Satellite Office – Philippines (De La Salle University, established in 2019)
• Overseas Satellite Office Indonesia (Padjadjaran University, established in 2023)
• Overseas Satellite Office – Thailand (Kasetsart University, established in 2024)
• Overseas Satellite Office – Thailand (Burapha University, established in 2025)