My name is Mai Kabayama, and I have had the privilege of serving as Director of the International Exchange Center of the Division of Health Sciences since 2021.

Today, the challenges facing healthcare and health sciences have expanded beyond national borders and become increasingly global in nature. Issues such as infectious diseases, super-aging societies, cancer care, and the rapid advancement of medical technologies are shared challenges that affect countries and regions around the world. In this era of globalization, it is essential to cultivate healthcare professionals and researchers who possess not only advanced knowledge and technical expertise but also the ability to understand diverse cultures and values and to collaborate effectively from an international perspective.

The School of Allied Health Sciences and the Division of Health Sciences are committed to promoting the internationalization of education and research at The University of Osaka. To this end, we actively engage in academic exchange with overseas universities and research institutions, welcome international students and researchers, support study-abroad opportunities and international training programs for Japanese students, and promote international collaborative research. At our institution, the disciplines of Nursing Science, Radiological Sciences, and Medical Laboratory Sciences work in close collaboration to advance the field of health sciences and contribute to the health and well-being of people. This interdisciplinary environment is further enriched through interactions with individuals from different academic backgrounds, areas of expertise, cultures, and perspectives. Learning and conducting research alongside international students and researchers on a daily basis provides valuable opportunities for our students to gain a deeper understanding of the world and to broaden their own horizons and future possibilities. In addition, through student exchange programs with our partner institutions overseas, short-term international training opportunities, and support for participation in international academic conferences, we strive to provide students with opportunities to engage with the international community from an early stage and to develop the ability to view their fields of expertise from a global perspective. Experiences gained through studying in different cultural environments and encountering diverse values will undoubtedly become invaluable assets for their future careers in healthcare, research, and related professions.

At the same time, we are dedicated to providing international students and researchers who visit our institution with an environment in which they can study and conduct research with confidence and peace of mind. We also endeavor to enhance our support systems so that they may enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding stay through opportunities to experience Japanese culture and engage with local communities. We believe that international exchange is not a one-way transmission of knowledge or culture. Rather, it is a process through which people learn from one another, respect one another, and work together to create new value. Guided by this philosophy, the School of Allied Health Sciences and the Division of Health Sciences will continue to cherish and strengthen our connections with the world, advance excellence in education and research, and foster individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the global community. It is my sincere hope that students, faculty members, staff, and our many partners and friends both in Japan and abroad will find new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and discovery through their engagement with our School and Division.

List of International Academic Exchange Agreements

(4/1/2026)

Foreign Students in our School

(as of April 1, 2026)

International Activities

Click here for past international exchange activities

• 2025 school year
• 2024 school year
• 2023 school year
• 2022 school year
• 2021 school year
• 2020 school year
• 2019 school year
• 2018 school year
• 2017-2007 school year

History of academic exchange

Division of Health Sciences, Center for International Academic Programs

Center for International Academic Programs was established in 2009 to promote global academic exchange. The center willingly assists in conducting inter-faculty academic exchange agreements with overseas universities, to realize globalization of students and faculty members. There are variety of short-term programs (2 weeks) for students, hosted by partner universities including Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and the University of Hong Kong. The Summer School for long-term care for the elderly, organized by a geriatric nursing office, has enjoyed high reputation from partner universities in Asia since 2016. In addition, a new project 'Digital Health Module in postgraduate higher education' was launched in 2018, collaborated with Oulu University, Finland.

The center also supports special lectures given by overseas guest speakers and Japanese researchers of foreign base several times a year.