On August 12th, Tokai University European Center (TUEC) held the first in a series of QOL seminars. The theme was “Digital Transformation (DX) and Work-Life Balance in Denmark under COVID-19 Pandemic”.

The seminar was held as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of TUEC, which was established in 1970 as an academic and cultural exchange hub between Japan and Europe. Furthermore, as the only university in Japan with a Department of Nordic Studies under the School of Cultural and Social Studies, Tokai University has been on the cutting edge of research on Nordic countries for over 50 years. The purpose of the seminar series is to contribute to creating a better international society by using findings which have been done up to this point. For the 2020 fiscal year, there are four planned QOL seminars, the first of which was conducted online. The August 12 seminar featured six presenters, from respectively the Danish Ministry of Finance, the Royal Embassy of Denmark in Japan, the University of Copenhagen, Roskilde University, KMD, and a lecturer from Tokai University. Approximately 180 participants attended the seminar.

Deputy Director of TUEC Jakob Skyt Jensen was MC, and Tokai University Chancellor Kiyoshi Yamada made the opening remarks. Chancellor Yamada touched upon the history of exchange between Tokai University and Denmark, as well as how Tokai University founder, Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae, got inspiration from his visit to Denmark to enter the field of education. He also expressed hope that the seminar will serve as an opportunity to further deepen the exchange between Japan and Denmark.

The presentations introduced the participants to Denmark a country with an advanced e-government, the history of IT implementation in education and in companies, as well as examples of how application of technology helps cope with issues raised by the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the presenters offered insights and opinions about the improvement of QOL by means of technology and establishment of remote working environments, and compared this to conditions in Japan. This tied in with the current strategic focus of Tokai University on the subject of QOL.

Following the presentations, Professor Naoto Yoshikawa, Vice Chancellor of Tokai University and Executive Director of Tokai University European Center, moderated the Q&A session.
How the governments of Denmark and Japan handle the personal information of its citizens, as well as the collaboration between EU countries and Denmark, were some of the subjects discussed during the Q&A session. The closing remarks were also made by Chancellor Yamada who stated that the implementation of technology in education has become necessary, as in the case of university lectures having moved online. After the COVID-19 pandemic, this will hopefully contribute to the realization of a better society.
 
Seminar speakers, and presentation titles were as follows.
 
“Public Sector Digital Transformation in Denmark: (The Infrastructure Promoting Work-Efficiency and QOL)”
Karen Ejersbo Iversen, Chief adviser, Agency for Digitisation, Ministry of Finance, Denmark
 
“Digital Initiatives at UCPH: The Impact of Covid-19 on University Life”
Andra Jeanina Liu, International Coordinator, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen
 
“Danish User-Centered Digital Transformation and its Application in the Educational Sector”
Mika Yasuoka Jensen, Associate Professor, Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University
 
“Delay of Digital Transformation in Japan - Collaboration with Denmark”
Kyoko Kameoka, Professor, Department of Business Administration, School of Political Science and Economics, Tokai University
 
“QOL at Danish Companies and Digital Transformation under COVID-19”
Hans Jayatissa, Chief Technology Officer,   KMD
 
“Work-Life in The Ministry of Foreign Affairs during COVID-19”
Jonathan Benjamin Knudsen, Deputy Head of Mission & Counsellor, Royal Danish Embassy in Japan
 
Q&A Session
Facilitator: Naoto Yoshikawa
Vice Chancellor of Tokai University, Director of Tokai University European Center

On  January 15, TUEC and Denmark-Japan Society hosted a lecture with a fitting Olympic theme. Professor Hans Bonde was invited to give a lecture on the Olympic Games and it's relations to national politics, focusing on the display of national identity during the Olympic opening ceremonies. 
The lecture drew a full house of guests, contributing to a lively Q&A session after Professor Bonde's lecture. 

On Friday, January 10th, the Tokai University Alumni Association in Denmark hosted its annual New Year's Gathering, Shinnenkai, at Tokai University European Center. The chosen theme was Japanese-Korean relations. Mr. Takuya Kondo of Mitsui & Co. was featured speaker, and after the lecture Mr. Jens Rahbek presented his Japanese-Korean inspired fusion buffet. ​

In February 2019 the International Class at Rødby Skole had previously visited TUEC to learn more about Japan as a preparation for their study tour. On April 1st, 2019 the class came back to visit TUEC to report on their study tour to Higashi-Matsushima, Japan. After giving student presentations at TUEC about their experiences of traveling Higashi-Matsushima and attending class at local Japanese schools among many other things, they had supper before returning to Lolland.

The international symposium “Dialogue between Civilizations” has for the fourth time been held with Tokai University European Center as the venue on March 14th – 15th, 2019. The symposium is a collaboration between Tokai University Institute of Civilization Research, Tokai University Graduate School of Letters and TUEC with sessions focusing on environmental studies, societal studies, studies on human body and mind, trans-disciplinary humanities, dialogue between civilizations and cultures and trans-disciplinary humanities.

For the full report on the 4th Dialogue between Civilizations, click here.

A study group consisting of medicine students, nursing students and social welfare students (in all 19 students and four accompanying teachers) from Tokai University, Japan, visited Denmark from February 23rd - March 3rd. With TUEC as their base, the objective for the study group was to learn about the Danish welfare, health, social and educational systems. To this end TUEC had arranged visits to the national hospital, partner institutions (University of Copenhagen, Deaconess University College & University College Absalon), an activity center for senior citizens, Statens Serum Institute, the Medical Museion, and much more to give the delegation comprehensive insight into the structure and values of Danish society.

The 16th Matsumae Cup International Judo Tournament was held in Vejle, Denmark, on February 16th – 17th, 2019. The tournament gathered more than 600 participants from over 20 different countries, including USA. A delegation from Tokai University consisting of 25 students and 6 leaders participated in Matsumae Cup, and as with all Matsumae Cups, the two-day tournament program was followed by a two-day training camp, lead by Tokai University’s head coach. In addition to participating in Matsumae Cup, the Tokai-delegation also visited TUEC (where they heard about Danish history and culture), visited the historical Jelling Stone Monuments near Vejle and H.C. Andersen’s museum in Odense.

For the full report on Matsumae Cup 2019 and the Tokai-delegation's visit, click here.

As preparation for their study tour to Higashi-Matsushima, Japan, in February 2019 the international class at Rødby Skole came to visit TUEC to learn more about Japan. They were introduced to various aspects of Japanese culture, history, religion and language as well as topics specific to the Tohoku area, which they were to visit, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake. After the introduction the class was treated to Japanese green tea and given a tour of the premises before returning to Lolland.

On 10 October 2018, Tokai University and the Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH-HUM), formally entered an agreement on the exchange of students. Professor Shigeru Yamaguchi, Executive Director of Tokai University Head Office of International Affairs (HIAT), visited Copenhagen in order to sign the agreement. At UCPH-HUM, the agreement primarily targets students on the Japan Studies program at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies. With HIAT as the official counterpart at Tokai University, the agreement is, open to all students at Tokai University who are interested in exchange studies at UCPH. 
The first exchange of students is expected to take place in 2019.

The program for the study trip included a visit to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) for the purpose of discussing sustainable design, UN's sustainable development goals, circular economy, and the role and responsibilty of designers in the global shift to "greener" economies, production and consumption. In addition, the group visited the University of Copenhagen, where students from the Japan Studies program hosted an afternoon of cultural exchange activities. The study program was concluded by a visit to the Royal Library, for the purpose of studying its design and architecture - especially the newer "Black Diamond" building.