As part of the Support Project for Creating Social Impact through University Internationalization adopted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in fiscal year 2024, Hiroshima University held the Signing and Opening Ceremony for the Hiroshima University Global Learning Center (GLC) and the Memorandum of Understanding between Higashihiroshima City and Hiroshima University on Global Talent Development Support on October 10, 2025, at the West Library (3rd Floor).

Approximately 50 people attended the ceremonies, including President Mitsuo Ochi of Hiroshima University, Hironori Takagaki, Mayor of Higashihiroshima City, Executive Vice Presidents Shinji Kaneko and Yuko Kawashima. The event also welcomed Kinji Saito, Senior Advisor for Global Sales at Suzuki Motor Corporation, which participates as a corporate partner in the project.

In his opening remarks, President Ochi expressed his commitment to fostering an environment where people from diverse cultural backgrounds can collaborate and grow together through learning activities centered at the GLC. He also shared his hope that the GLC will become an open and inclusive space where not only Hiroshima University students but also members of the local community can come together to learn and engage with one another.

Following the speeches, the Memorandum of Understanding between Higashihiroshima City and Hiroshima University on Global Talent Development Support was formally signed. A ribbon-cutting ceremony then took place at the GLC to commemorate its opening, celebrating the start of a new hub for global talent development in the presence of all attendees.

Looking ahead, Hiroshima University will promote a wide range of initiatives at the GLC, including the Self-Access Learning Center (SALC), Multicultural Collaborative Learning*, and study abroad support programs. Through close collaboration with Higashihiroshima City and participating corporations, the university will continue to advance the development of globally- minded individuals capable of contributing to the international community, while promoting regional revitalization. *Multicultural Collaborative Learning refers to educational and research activities in which Japanese and international students work together, making use of their diverse cultural backgrounds to explore and propose solutions to challenges faced in both domestic and international communities.