Senior leaders from top Japanese universities — including the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tohoku University, and Osaka University — along with government representatives, visited Yale’s campus for the latest convening of the Promoting the Evolution of Academia for Knowledge Society (PEAKS) program. It was organized by Yale’s Office of International Affairs and took place November 4 – 8, 2024.

The program aims to foster academic and research collaborations, supporting ongoing partnerships between institutions in Japan and Yale. In hosting this year’s Japan PEAKS program on the Yale campus, the program marked its first in-person gathering after three years as an online event. 

The idea for the program developed over several years, in collaboration with Dr. Takahiro Ueyama, who is a member of the Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation in the government of Japan. The program is one of a suite of leadership programs run by OIA to build and enhance strategic relationships around the world.

During sessions of the program, participants were seated according to their fields of interest and expertise to encourage productive conversations and explore collaborative opportunities. Session topics included: Organizations and Governance of American Research Universities; Liberal Arts and Science Education; Faculty Management and Leadership; University Strategic Financial Planning; Student Entrepreneurship; University Strategies to Promote and Support Innovation; and Research Priorities and Planning. 

While visiting Yale’s campus, the program participants toured the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library and also visited Tsai CITY, the Center for Engineering Innovation and Design, Yale Ventures, the Peabody Museum, and the Yale University Art Gallery. Since its inception in 2021, the program has involved over 200 participants from Japan and engaged more than 35 Yale faculty and staff.

This year’s program included representatives from the national scientific research institute, RIKEN, and 17 Japanese universities; Hiroshima University, Tohoku University, Institute of Science Tokyo, Niigata University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Okayama University, Osaka University, Kyushu University, Kyusyu Institute of Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Gifu University, The University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, and Gunma University.

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Learn more about the Yale Japan-PEAKS program in 2023 and 2021.