Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Keio University, Japan, have officially renewed their academic partnership through the signing of a bilateral Student Exchange Agreement during an official signing ceremony held at UBD.
The agreement was signed by the Vice-Chancellor of UBD, Dr. Hazri bin Haji Kifle, and the President of Keio University, Professor Kohei Itoh, witnessed by principal officers and senior representatives from both institutions.
The newly signed memorandum marks a meaningful revitalisation of bilateral ties between the two premier institutions, re-establishing a formal exchange pathway that was previously signed several years ago. Under this renewed agreement, undergraduate and postgraduate students from UBD and Keio University will once again benefit from reciprocal semester- and year-long exchange opportunities, cross-cultural immersion, and academic collaboration.
Speaking at the ceremony, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri bin Haji Kifle highlighted the significance of reconnecting with Japan’s oldest private institution of modern higher education, describing the occasion as the reaffirmation and renewal of a cherished partnership rather than just a formal signing. He noted that revitalising the agreement ensures UBD students can access world-class academic and research environments at Keio university, while also welcoming Keio university students to experience Brunei Darussalam’s unique community, culture, and biodiversity, emphasising that such cross-border connections are essential for cultivating truly global-ready leaders.
President of Keio University, Professor Kohei Itoh, echoed these sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for the rekindled ties and emphasising the importance of fostering dynamic student networks and collaborative academic exploration across the Asia-Pacific region.
The agreement is set to enhance student mobility—including opportunities through UBD’s flagship Discovery Year programme—while serving as a foundation for broader institutional collaboration in research, innovation, and faculty exchange between UBD and Keio University.
For more information on UBD’s Discovery Year programme, please visit www.ubd.edu.bn or email office.gr@ubd.edu.bn.