From Tuesday, August 25 to Thursday, August 27, 2026, President Teiji Tominaga, Executive Vice President Toshiya Ueki, and Vice President Fumihiko Imamura (Representative Director of the Alumni Associations) visited Jakarta to strengthen Tohoku University’s connections with local institutions and alumni in Indonesia.

The visit began with a dinner attended by representatives of institutions involved in student exchange and Japan–Indonesia relations, including JICA, the Japan Foundation, and the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia, as well as representatives from Universitas Indonesia, IPB University, and Bandung Institute of Technology. At a traditional restaurant in Jakarta, President Tominaga and his delegation had the opportunity to hear about the current situation surrounding academic exchange between Indonesia and Japan and discuss its recent developments.

On the second day, August 26, President Tominaga and the university delegation visited Universitas Indonesia.

The meeting brought together university leaders and Tohoku University alumni at Universitas Indonesia  to discuss the further expansion of the partnership between the two universities and new opportunities for long-term collaboration.

The current Rector of Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Heri Hermansyah, is a Tohoku University alumnus who was honored with the Tohoku University International Award in 2025 in recognition of his distinguished achievements and contributions. Following the meeting, Universitas Indonesia hosted the delegation for a networking lunch and campus tour, providing an opportunity to experience first-hand the impressive facilities and infrastructure of one of Indonesia’s leading universities.

Finally, following a visit to the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia and a meaningful conversation with the Ambassador, Tohoku University and the Indonesian Alumni Association of Tohoku University (IATU) brought together more than 40 alumni, university leaders, government representatives, and invited guests for “Tohoku University–IATU: Meet and Connect”, a networking dinner held in the heart of Jakarta.

From reconnecting with old friends from Sendai to meeting alumni from different generations, disciplines, and regions, the evening was a reminder that the Tohoku University spirit continues far beyond graduation.

The gathering also provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between alumni and Tohoku University while building bridges for future collaboration in education, research, innovation, disaster resilience, and Japan–Indonesia exchange.

President Tominaga and his delegation had the opportunity to witness first-hand the passion and strong commitment that Indonesian universities, institutions, and alumni have toward Tohoku University and Japan more broadly.

The visit further strengthened the longstanding ties between Tohoku University and Indonesia and opened the door to many new opportunities for students, researchers, and alumni in the years to come.