Message from the President of University of Tsukuba
NAGATA Kyosuke
President, University of Tsukuba
It is a great honor for University of Tsukuba to host the 7th Japan–Mexico Rectors’ Summit from September 27 to 30, 2026. This summit has been held biennially since 2011, based on the “Japan–Mexico Joint Statement on the Strategic Global Partnership and Economic Growth in the 21st Century” signed by the governments of both countries in 2010. Welcoming the presidents of universities and representatives from relevant institutions of both countries to our university is a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between our two nations. Through more than four centuries of exchange, Japan and Mexico have fostered forward-looking collaboration in education, academia, and science and technology. I sincerely hope that this summit will serve as a significant milestone in advancing this shared path.
University of Tsukuba celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, yet its origins trace back over 150 years to one of Japan’s earliest modern institutions of higher education established during the Meiji era. In October 1973, the university was relocated from Tokyo to Tsukuba and reborn as a comprehensive, research-intensive university. Since then, we have continuously strived to remain an institution open to both society and the world.
Since its founding, University of Tsukuba has promoted interdisciplinary education and research, aiming to create new value through the integration of diverse fields of knowledge. Located in the Tsukuba Science City, our university works closely with domestic and international research institutes and partner universities, advancing initiatives that range from basic research to addressing pressing social challenges.
The theme of this summit, “Solving Global Challenges and Creating a New Future Perspective through Co-creation between Advanced Science & Technology and Glocal Society,” strongly resonates with this mission. Today, the world faces a wide array of interconnected challenges, including public health issues, environmental degradation, energy and food security, rapid technological change, regional conflicts, and social inequality. Universities are expected not only to generate advanced knowledge but also to collaborate with society in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.
I hope that this summit will foster dialogue across academic disciplines and national borders, generating new perspectives and partnerships to address global challenges. May the discussions held here in Tsukuba further enhance Japan–Mexico cooperation and contribute to sustainable collaboration for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Kyosuke Nagata