University of Newcastle & Nihon University

A strategic partnership

The University of Newcastle and Nihon University have partnered with the aim of creating new avenues for collaboration.

Our partnership

With a Memorandum of Understanding in place, the University of Newcastle and Nihon University are excited to create additional avenues for collaboration through the development and formalisation of a strategic partnership.

Delegations from each University were undertaken in 2022 and 2023, demonstrating a commitment to explore opportunities and work together to increase research capabilities, engagement with teaching and learning, and opportunities for staff and student exchange.

News and events

February, 2024 - Nihon University, Tokyo, and the University of Newcastle signed an agreement on 1 February 2024 that will facilitate the commencement of operations of the new Nihon University Campus, formerly the old Newcastle Court House in Church Street, Newcastle East. The original Court House on this site was completed in 1892 and operated as a Law Court until 2016 when it was bought by Nihon University.

Nihon University’s restoration work of the former Court House has recognised the heritage listing of the building and the historical importance of the old Court House to Newcastle and NSW. The beautifully reinstated and refurbished buildings are complemented with a state-of-the-art accommodation wing and a teaching wing to either side of the original building. The official opening ceremony of the Nihon campus is scheduled for August 2024.  As part of Nihon’s commitment to local heritage, the public will also be able to access and tour through the restored Court House building at annual Open Days.

Additionally, Newcastle welcomed the first two Nihon University student study groups to town last week. Both study groups are completing intensive English classes at the Language Centre at Callaghan campus, and have a number of local tours and excursions. The Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club welcomed the students to the beach last Sunday and provided an orientation to their new local beach.

September 20, 2023 — The University recently hosted scholar Professor Manabu Shishido from the College of International Relations at Nihon University for a two-month visit to the Newcastle Business School to investigate tourism education in Australia and advance study in this field. During his time in Newcastle, Professor Shishido delivered an insightful lecture to first-year students in a Leisure and Tourism Behaviour course which was very well received.

October 19, 2022 — A delegation from Nihon University including Mr. Masato Hirano, Chief Extraordinary, Mr. Hiroaki Namiki, Deputy Director Extraordinary, and Ms. Yuri Kumagai, Associate Chief Extraordinary from the Newcastle Campus Project Office visited the University of Newcastle Callaghan campus. During their time here they participated in tours of the Language Centre, NUsport and the Student Accommodation facilities.

2021 and 2022 — Throughout the pandemic over 150 students from the University of Newcastle and Nihon University participated in an online Cross-Cultural Buddy program. The aim of the program was to promote cross cultural connection and language skills at a time when students could not travel. The University of Newcastle has a strong Japanese language student cohort and Japanese/Australian student club, and students enthusiastically took up the opportunity to make new friends and learn more about the culture. The feedback from students was very positive, with many returning to participate a second or third time and many buddies remaining in contact after the program concluded. Japan continues to be a popular destination for our Semester Exchange students and the student-to-student relationships created on this program support the continued linkages between our two universities.

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