Two Decades of Partnership, A New Chapter Begins:

The Liaison Office of Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science Opens at TMU

Source: Office of Global Engagement, TMU

For two decades, Taipei Medical University (TMU) and Tohoku University (TU) have built a partnership across borders, connecting researchers, students, classrooms, and ideas in nutrition, agricultural science, and health. Now, the relationship has a new home. In mid-2026, the Liaison Office of Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science officially opened at TMU, transforming 20 years of collaboration into a permanent platform for what comes next. More than a physical presence, the new office symbolizes an ambitious new chapter: deeper joint research, closer talent development, and sustained Taiwan-Japan collaboration aimed at addressing pressing challenges in nutrition, health, and well-being.

Photo: TMU Executive Vice President Pei-Shan Tsai (center), Tohoku University Faculty of Agriculture Dean Kiyotaka Nakagawa (third from left), and TMU College of Nutrition Dean Rong-Hong Hsieh (fifth from right) pose for a group photo with representatives from both universities.

Two decades of collaboration, measurable impact

Since 2006, TMU’s College of Nutrition and TU’s Graduate School of Agricultural Science have developed extensive collaboration in nutritional science, agricultural science applications, food safety, and multidisciplinary health research.

Over the past 20 years, the partnership has supported more than 270 faculty and student visits, 27 international co-authored publications, and research collaborations involving 18 faculty members. In talent development, 40 graduate students have benefited from joint supervision by faculty at both universities, while 3 international co-taught courses and 3 jointly developed MOOCs have expanded opportunities for cross-border learning. Regular academic conferences/workshops have further strengthened faculty and student exchange while providing a platform to share research findings and explore new areas of collaboration.

The partnership reached another milestone in 2024 with the signing of a Doctoral Dual Degree Agreement, extending collaboration from research and academic exchange to joint education and international talent development.

From partnership to a permanent presence

Located on the 4th floor of the Pharmacy and Nutrition Building on the Xinyi Campus, the Liaison Office establishes a dedicated presence for TU at TMU and a platform for student engagement, research, teaching, and industry-academia collaboration.

Beginning in the second half of 2026, faculty from TU will be stationed at the office, creating more direct and sustained opportunities for researchers and students from both institutions to connect. Their presence is expected to accelerate the exchange of research ideas, talent matching, and the development of new collaborative initiatives.

At the unveiling ceremony, TMU Executive Vice President Pei-Shan Tsai described the office as both a recognition of two decades of achievement and an important step toward the future. She expressed her hope that the office will become a strong and lasting bridge between Taiwan and Japan, connecting academia with industry and talent with societal needs.

Photo: Representatives from TMU’s College of Nutrition and Tohoku University’s Faculty of Agriculture pose for a group photo at the Liaison Office of Tohoku University Graduate School of Agricultural Science, located within TMU’s College of Nutrition.

Developing the next generation of global talent

Talent development lies at the heart of international collaboration. Kenshi Kaku, the first doctoral student enrolled in the dual degree program, is co-supervised by Prof. Kentaro Tanemura and Prof. Shyh-Hsiang Lin. TMU doctoral student Qian Xiao has also expanded her research experience at TU through joint supervision and international exchange opportunities supported by the Sakura Science Program and an ROIS scholarship. Together, their experiences highlight the opportunities unlocked through the partnership for a new generation of globally engaged researchers.

Beyond academic achievements, the celebration offered a glimpse into the friendship woven through years of shared learning, discovery, and memories, with music and food culture adding warmth to the occasion. The ceremony opened with a live performance by faculty members and a graduate student from TMU’s College of Nutrition, setting a warm and welcoming tone. Following the unveiling, Professor Kiyotaka Nakagawa and members of the TU delegation, along with international students from the College of Nutrition, participated in a zongzi (rice dumpling)-wrapping experience. Guided by dietitians and undergraduate students, participants experienced a taste of Taiwan’s Dragon Boat Festival traditions.

Photo: Top left: Faculty members and a graduate student from TMU’s College of Nutrition open the ceremony with a live musical performance. Top right: Dietitians and students from TMU’s School of Nutrition and Health Sciences show guests from Tohoku University’s Faculty of Agriculture how to wrap zongzi (traditional sticky rice dumplings). Bottom left: Kenshi Kaku, a dual-degree doctoral student from Tohoku University, shares his experiences studying at TMU. Bottom right: TMU doctoral student Qian Xiao shares her research experiences at Tohoku University, where she benefited from joint supervision and international exchange opportunities supported by the Sakura Science Program and an ROIS scholarship.

Opening a new chapter: Turning 20 years of trust into global health impact

The Liaison Office represents more than the culmination of a 20-year partnership; it lays the foundation for a new generation of collaboration. As the world faces shared challenges such as population aging, chronic diseases, food safety, sustainable diets, and precision nutrition, international and interdisciplinary collaboration is becoming increasingly important in advancing health sciences.

With a dedicated presence connecting the two academic communities, TMU and TU are transforming two decades of shared achievements into new research, educational, and talent development opportunities. Through this next chapter, the two universities hope to contribute to advances in nutritional science and to better health and well-being in Asia and around the world.

(By College of Nutrition, TMU)