Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Student Exchange Agreement (SEA) in 2025, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) and Kumamoto University (KU) have continued to deepen collaboration in medicine and life sciences. In addition to promoting faculty and student mobility, both institutions have held a series of online meetings to plan a graduate-level Double Degree Program (DDP).

On May 22, 2026, Associate Dean Jun-ichirou Yasunaga of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences visited KMU, where he delivered a keynote speech at the ‘2026 International Conference on Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases.’ During his visit, both sides also held discussions on the implementation of the DDP.

The discussion involved Associate Dean Yasunaga and KMU representatives from the College of Medicine, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Office of Global Affairs. The meeting focused on key administrative and academic details, including curriculum and credit alignment, thesis supervision, degree conferral arrangements, and student support systems.

Both institutions have reached a consensus on the next steps and aim to complete their respective internal administrative procedures by October 2026 to formally sign the agreement.

Through sustainable partnerships with international institutions, KMU remains committed to expanding global learning and research opportunities. The establishment of this DDP is expected to further enhance international education and research collaboration in medical sciences between the two universities.

From left: Prof. Jwu-Lai Yeh (Deputy Vice President of Academic Affairs), Associate Dean Jun-ichirou Yasunaga (Kumamoto University), Prof. Po-Liang Lu (Dean of the College of Medicine), and Prof. Jau-Ling Suen (Director of the Graduate Institute of Medicine).