Ever since its establishment in 1949, YNU has been committed to the spirit of solving actual, real-world problems by putting theory into practice, encouraging new endeavors, opening its doors widely to the society, and fostering exchange with other nations. The university proactively seeks out and conducts international exchanges at all levels, and has reached academic exchange agreements with some 100 universities around the world. Currently, 858 students from 58 countries, which are 8.4% of all students, are enrolled at YNU. International collaborations for education and research have been promoted at YNU especially in the International Graduate School of Social Sciences, Leadership Program in Sustainable Living with Environmental Risk, the Center for Oceanic Studies and Integrated Education, Global COE program“Global Eco-Risk Management from Asian Viewpoints”, and the Japanese Coordinating Committee of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
YNU is a member of Yokohama RCE network and has launched YNU/UNU-IAS liaison office at the International Graduate School of Social Sciences; the school conducted a joint research on regional practice of ESD from 2005 to 2007. Leadership Program in Sustainable Living with Environmental Risk at the Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences collaborates with affiliated universities in Asia and Africa. It provides long-distance learning program by hi-vision TV system, accepts full-time PhD students from these universities, and supports international exchange program. The Center for Oceanic Studies and Integrated Education offers education opportunity to pursue marine management from perspective on sustainable use of marine resource and a study abroad program. GCOE program “Global Eco-Risk Management from Asian Viewpoints” offers a minor program to foster personnel who can contribute in addressing eco-risk in Asian countries.