Kyushu University deepens academic collaboration with Sweden

Kyushu University has been strengthening its network with universities and research institutions across Europe by leveraging its Stockholm Liaison Office (Europe Office), established in 2020. Through various frameworks for collaboration with Europe, including the international university consortia MIRAI (Japan-Sweden) and RENKEI (Japan-UK), the university has continuously promoted researcher exchanges, academic collaboration, and the development of early-career researchers.

As one outcome of these efforts, the Graduate School of Medical Sciences and the School of Medicine (Department of Health Sciences) at Kyushu University have concluded a departmental-level student exchange agreement with Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. This marks the first agreement between Kyushu University and Karolinska Institutet. Widely recognized as one of the world's leading medical universities and research institutions, Karolinska Institutet is internationally recognized for its role in selecting the recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

The agreement is expected to further strengthen cooperation between the two institutions, promote exchanges among students and faculty members, and contribute to the development of globally minded professionals and the advancement of research activities. This article looks back on how the collaboration between the Department of Health Sciences and Karolinska Institutet began and evolved into this agreement.

The path toward collaboration with Karolinska Institutet

October 2022

Kyushu University begins discussions on student exchanges with European Institutions

The Medical Technology Course in the Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, is committed to educating future leaders in clinical laboratory science and fostering medical laboratory scientists with an international perspective. As the global response to COVID-19 demonstrated, challenges in healthcare and laboratory medicine increasingly require international collaboration, underscoring the need to develop professionals who can work across borders.

At the same time, systems for training medical laboratory scientists differ significantly from country to country. Since only a limited number of countries and regions provide university-level education for medical laboratory scientists, identifying an appropriate partner institution for student exchange was not straightforward.

In response to these challenges, the Department of Health Sciences began exploring overseas partner institutions to realize international exchange opportunities in medical laboratory scientist education. During this process, Karolinska Institutet emerged as a highly promising candidate due to its strong compatibility with Kyushu University's educational programs and areas of expertise. Faculty members of the Department of Health Sciences and staff of the Stockholm Liaison Office subsequently began discussions with the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Karolinska Institutet regarding future collaboration.

September 2023

Faculty Visit to Karolinska Institutet

To advance plans for collaboration, Professor Hiroshi Shigeto and Professor Hitoshi Katsuta visited Karolinska Institutet for preliminary consultations and discussions on student exchanges.

During their visit, they toured research laboratories, university hospital facilities, and other sites, gaining a deeper understanding of the educational and healthcare environments surrounding medical laboratory scientists. They also exchanged views on implementing future student training programs. Through discussions with faculty members, both institutions explored common approaches to education and human resource development.

The visit confirmed that the two institutions shared many similarities in educational systems and areas of specialization related to medical laboratory scientist training. This laid a solid foundation for future student exchanges and became an important first step toward the subsequent student mobility programs, faculty exchanges, and ultimately the conclusion of the present agreement.

2024-2025

Student Visits to Karolinska Institutet

Building upon the relationships established during the 2023 faculty visit, pilot student visits were conducted in 2024 and 2025. Over the two years, a total of six Kyushu University students visited Karolinska Institutet and took part in laboratory visits and observational activities within educational and clinical settings.

While in Sweden, students experienced healthcare systems and educational frameworks that differ from those in Japan and gained a deeper understanding of the roles and professional expertise expected of medical laboratory scientists. Interactions with local students, faculty members, and staff also provided valuable opportunities to consider healthcare and research from a global perspective.

These visits served not only as invaluable learning opportunities for the participating students but also as a means of assessing the feasibility and potential of student exchange between the two institutions, marking an important step toward expanding future collaborations.

April 2026

Visit by Faculty Members from Karolinska Institutet

To further expand the collaboration, Ms. Veronika Tillander (Lecturer) and Ms. Karin Bouma (Assistant Senior Lecturer) from the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Karolinska Institutet visited Kyushu University in April 2026.

The purpose of the visit was to deepen mutual understanding of each institution's educational and research activities, facilities, practical training environments, and student life in anticipation of launching a more comprehensive two-way student exchange program.

In addition to discussions with faculty members from the Department of Health Sciences, the visitors toured the Clinical Laboratory Department and the Department of Radiology at Kyushu University Hospital and observed practical training sessions conducted within the Department of Health Sciences. These activities provided valuable insights into Kyushu University's educational framework and research environment. The group also discussed the implementation of future exchange programs and additional opportunities for cooperation.

The visitors also toured the Ito Campus and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, providing opportunities to learn more about Kyushu University's educational environment, the local community, and Japanese culture.

Through these ongoing exchanges, faculty members at both institutions established a strong relationship of trust. The Department of Health Sciences' proactive initiatives, combined with the networking and support provided by the Stockholm Liaison Office, worked synergistically to create a sustainable framework for cooperation that leverages both institutions’ strengths. These efforts ultimately led to the conclusion of the departmental student exchange agreement.

Future Prospects

The newly signed departmental student exchange agreement represents an important new step toward transforming the cooperative relationship built through student mobility and faculty exchanges into a more advanced and sustainable partnership. Further development of collaboration through student exchanges, faculty exchanges, and joint research activities is anticipated.

The agreement also reflects long-term network-building efforts supported by the Stockholm Liaison Office and the sustained international engagement initiatives undertaken by faculty members of the Department of Health Sciences. Through these collaborations, both institutions are expected to advance international joint education and research, cultivate globally minded professionals, and further enhance their research capabilities.

This agreement marks a symbolic milestone of Kyushu University's growing partnerships with Sweden and Europe. Kyushu University will continue working closely with its faculties, graduate schools, and schools to further deepen collaboration with overseas universities and research institutions, promote world-class research and education, and foster the next generation of globally active talent.

Contact

International Affairs Promotion Office, Hospital Campus
E-mail: suishin-byo★jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Stockholm Liaison Office (Europe Office)
E-mail: intleurope★jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp

*Please replace ★ with @.