Events

The Global Network Program (GNP) is proud to recognize its first graduate, Dr. Kohei Uno, who successfully completed all six steps in the program within three years. These steps include: 1. Interdisciplinary Curriculum, 2. Intensive Lecture by Partner Faculty Members and Experts, 3. Overseas Internship or Research, 4. Joint Education and Research Guidance, 5. Presentation at an International Conference, and 6. Submission to an International Journal. He aspires to work at the World Bank and began building a professional network with experts from the organization at an early stage of his doctoral studies. In writing his doctoral dissertation, he received guidance from Dr. Shiro Nakata, Senior Economist at the World Bank. He completed his doctoral dissertation within three years and earned his Ph.D. in March 2026. Here, we highlight his achievements and efforts at each stage of the program.

GNP invite experts from overseas universities, international organizations, and government organizations to deliver intensive lectures for doctoral students. During these lectures, each expert introduced the latest, cutting-edge research in their field, while also imparting practical knowledge essential for future career development. The program also offered a platform for students to develop their global networks, by providing opportunities for students and professors to interact, both before and after the lectures. We conducted 3 intensive lectures in the FY2024, 9 in the FY2025, and 10 (including planned lectures) as of June 2026.

On February 27, 2026, Kobe University hosted a symposium for the Global Network Program (GNP). The symposium featured reports on the progress and outcomes of past program, as well as research presentations from doctoral students who had participated in the program. Attendees included Kobe University's Executive Vice President, Professor, Dr. Hisashi Tamaki, faculty members and students from the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies and the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, experts from overseas universities such as Columbia University, international organizations such as the World Bank and UNESCO, and government organizations including Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, together totaling 90 participants. Participants discussed the program's impact and its achievements to date, reflected on the challenges facing doctoral students, and potential avenues for further international cooperation toward sustainable development. In the symposium, a certificate award ceremony was held for graduates of the GNP. At the ceremony, the first two GNP graduates received their certificates from Kobe University's Executive Vice President, Professor, Dr. Tamaki.

We invited experts from overseas universities, international organizations, and government agencies to deliver a series of seminars. The seminars featured active discussions on global issues and career development in the international arena. We conducted 10 seminars in the FY2024, 16 in the FY2025, and 26 (including planned seminars) as of June 2026.

On March 3, 2025, the Global Network Program (GNP) Kick-Off Symposium was held at Kobe University. The symposium introduced the newly launched project, GNP, and focused on strengthening Japanese higher education by promoting collaboration between academic institutions, international organizations, and governments. University of Dhaka and other overseas universities, international organizations such as World Bank and UNESCO, and government institutions such as the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Cambodia were invited. In the session, participants from all countries shared their perspectives of GNP's impact, discussed how it will meet the needs of doctoral students, and mentioned the opportunities for collaboration that the program will provide towards achieving sustainable development.