On August 21, 2024, the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies at Kobe University exchanged a Letter of Intent with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, agreeing to establish reciprocal overseas offices. The signing ceremony, held at Dean’s office, was attended by Dr. Tyvi Small, Vice Chanceller for Access and Engagement, Dr. Gretchen Neisler, Vice Provost for International Affairs, and Dr. Rachel Rui, Director for the Global Research, Innovation, and Partnerships office. Executive Vice President Dr. Hisashi Tamaki, Director, Institute for Promoting International Partnerships, Dr. Kiyoshi Umeya, Dean of the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, and Dr. Junko Tanaka, Professor and Director, Americas Division were also in attendance.

In the afternoon, the UT delegates, accompanied by Dr. Tanaka and Dr. Hirotaka Inoue, Chair of the Committee on Exchange Programs, visited companies in Kobe City. After visiting Kewpie Kobe Factory in Higashinada Ward, the group moved on to the Creative Lab for Innovation in Kobe on Port Island, where they visited Synplogen and Bacchus Bio innovation.

Kewpie Corporation is planning to establish a new overseas production facility in Clarksville, Tennessee, and is looking forward to future collaborations with not only the State of Tennessee but also the University of Tennessee.

Simplogen is a School of Science, Technology and Innovation synthetic biology venture known for its proprietary DNA synthesis technology. Bacchus Bio innovation is another Kobe University startup. Bacchus is engaged in the Integrated BioFoundry business.

The Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, in collaboration with Kobe University HQ offices, other schools, and beyond, will make the relationship between the University of Tennessee and Kobe University much stronger and more secured.