On July 9, the inauguration ceremony for the Okayama University International Alumni Association (OUIAA) Sulawesi Branch, the 56th branch, was held at Hasanuddin University in Indonesia. Prof. Dr. Irfan Sugianto, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, was appointed as the director. 

 

President NASU Yasutomo and Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni SUZUKI Takayoshi attended the event on behalf of Okayama University. Approximately 30 people, including former international students who studied at Okayama University and participants of the ODAPUS Program (Note 1), gathered to celebrate the establishment of the branch. 

 

In a congratulatory address, Mr. Rudy Jamaluddin from the Sulawesi Branch of the Indonesian Alumni Association of Japan (PERSADA) expressed his congratulations on the establishment of the new branch and his hopes for further development of mutual exchange. Following that, Prof. Dr. Sharifuddin, who studied at Okayama University 40 years ago, shared photos and memories of his time in Okayama. The audience listened attentively, reminiscing about the past and their own experiences in Okayama. 

 

President NASU expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to student and academic exchanges over the years and shared his enthusiasm for continuing and strengthening these ties in the future. Vice President SUZUKI presented an overview of the current state of Okayama University, incorporating latest photos, which prompted attendees to reflect fondly on their study in Japan experiences. 

 

Okayama University will continue to foster and strengthen its ties with international alumni by actively utilizing this robust network to promote the recruitment of excellent international students, student exchange programs, and academic collaborations among faculty and staff members.  

 

(Note 1) ODAPUS: Okayama University Dental School Short-term-Study-Abroad (Exchange) Program for Undergraduate Students 

 

• Okayama University International Alumni Association 

The Okayama University International Alumni Association is comprised of former international students, faculty, and staff members of foreign nationality who have been affiliated with the university. The association aims to promote and deepen the bonds between the university and its alumni, as well as among alumni themselves, by establishing branches around the world. These branches promote student exchanges and academic collaboration, thereby strengthening the global network of Okayama University. As of July 2025, 55 branches (including 7 communication bases) have been established in 28 countries.