July 15th Seminar : "CONFERENCE ON COOPERATION BETWEEN TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES (TUFS) AND UNIVERSITY OF YAOUNDE I (FALSH): OPPORTUNITIES, ASSESSMENT, AND PERSPECTIVES"
On July 15, 2025, a seminar on the exchange program between University of Yaoundé I and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies was held in Lecture Hall 300 at University of Yaoundé I in Yaoundé, the capital of the Republic of Cameroon. The two universities signed a comprehensive academic cooperation agreement and student exchange agreement in May 2023, and the first exchange students studied abroad for 10 months to one year from 2024 to 2025.
The purpose of this seminar was to reflect on the first year of the exchange program, to inform students and faculty of University of Yaoundé I about the realities of exchange programs with Japan, and to discuss future challenges.
The seminar was moderated by Professor Antoine Socpa (UY1). First Associate Professor Oishi Takanori (TUFS) gave a keynote speech titled "The Exchange Program between Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Partner Universities in Africa: Objectives, Achievements, and Challenges".
This was followed by presentations by the two first exchange students on their experiences and what they learned from them.
Ms. Ayaka Saeki, who has studied at the University of Yaoundé I from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, gave a presentation titled "My experience as student in Japan and in Cameroon : opportunities and difficulties of the exchange program," in which she spoke about the challenges she faced during her study abroad and what she gained from her activities both on and off campus.
Ms. Verdian Yemata, who had studied at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies from the University of Yaoundé I, spoke about her studies at a Japanese university and the memorable encounters she had in her presentation titled "Studying at TUFS in Japan for a year: an unforgettable exchange experience."
Following these presentations, Counsellor Kenya Uehara of the Embassy of Japan in Cameroon commented on the significance of international exchange through the direct experiences of young people from both countries.
The closing address was given by Professor Rodolphine Sylvie Wamba, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences at the University of Yaoundé I, and finally, Professor Edmond Biloa, the Vice President, expressed his hope for strengthening exchanges and friendship between the two Universities.
