- 19 Japanese university and government leaders joined Yale’s PEAKS program to strengthen collaboration in education and research.
- The forum covered governance, innovation, entrepreneurship, and faculty leadership, with participation from Yale faculty and Governor Ned Lamont.
- PEAKS has connected 200+ Japanese participants with Yale, fostering global academic partnerships and joint initiatives.
Senior leaders from 19 Japanese universities and government agencies gathered on Yale's campus for the latest Japan-Yale PEAKS (Promoting the Evolution of Academia for a Knowledge Society) program, held in early November. Hosted by Yale's Office of International Affairs, the forum built on a longstanding partnership with Japan's Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation in support of a dialogue among, and cooperation between, leaders of higher education. The program explored shared challenges and opportunities in the advancement of university governance, research, and innovation.
Yale President Maurie McInnis greeted the delegation in an opening session in Sterling Memorial Library moderated by Vice Provost for International Affairs Sunil Amrith. The president’s participation continued a tradition of engagement that underscores Yale’s commitment to fostering academic partnerships with Japan.
“Yale and Japan’s leading universities share a deep commitment to advancing knowledge for the benefit of society”, said Brendan Walsh, Yale’s Senior Associate Provost for International Affairs. “It is both a pleasure to welcome our program participants from Japan to campus and a reminder that the relationships built through the PEAKS program reflect our shared belief that global collaboration is essential to strengthening universities and the societies they serve”.
The weeklong program included sessions on research priorities and planning, university-government-industry innovation ecosystems, strategic financial planning, and faculty leadership in American research universities. Presenters and panelists included Mike Crair, vice provost for research and the William Ziegler III Professor in the Departments of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology & Visual Science; Steven Wilkinson, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Nilekani Professor of India and South Asian Studies; Josh Geballe, senior associate provost for entrepreneurship and innovation and managing director of Yale Ventures; Stephen Murphy, vice president for finance and chief financial officer; Alan Baubonis, director of international development; Hyun Ja Shin, director of graduate and postdoctoral career services in the Office of Career Strategy; and Daniel Botsman, Sumitomo Professor of History and Associate Head of Pierson College.
Also Read: How Japan Redefines Equality in Education without Compromising Excellence
A full day of sessions at Yale Ventures highlighted Yale's growing ecosystem of entrepreneurship and collaboration, featuring Dr. Takahiro Ueyama, special advisor to Japan's Cabinet Office; Kathy Lynch, university director for corporate strategy and engagement; and Tim Miller, vice president for business development at AdvanceCT. Special guest participating at the Yale Ventures sessions was Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, '80 M.B.A. who delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of Connecticut-Japan relations and expressing interest in further expanding business collaboration between the two.
PEAKS participants toured Yale's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library with Natalie Semmel, community engagement and university archives; visited Pierson College for a discussion of Yale's residential college system, led by Daniel Botsman; and explored the newly renovated Peabody Museum with Director of the Yale Visitor Center Nancy Franco and museum staff. The group also met with Yale graduate students to discuss career development and opportunities for collaboration in academia and industry in Japan.
Since its inception, the PEAKS initiative has brought together over 200 participants from Japan and 35 Yale faculty and staff to date, strengthening institutional relationships that continue to grow through joint leadership, research, and innovation. The PEAKS program is among a suite of global leadership programs offered by OIA and brings university and government leaders from around the world to Yale for intensive learning and exchange. Through these programs, OIA fosters strategic partnerships that support Yale's global mission and advance collaboration on research, education, and innovation worldwide.
