The World That is One Big Home
Today, thanks to the advent of the internet, the world is one big market. For the same reason, entrepreneurs and business leaders must have a global mindset. This needs to stem from the academic days. Indeed, gone are the days when colleges primarily focused on local students. It’s a great omen that top universities around the world are breaking this barrier more with every passing day. The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) is a great example.
The oldest university in Japan and ranked 32nd in the QS World University Rankings 2025, UTokyo has announced a new partnership with Acumen to boost the number of students from South Asia studying in Japan. Acumen, a part of Sannam S4 Group, is a company dedicated to driving recruitment and student enrolment, developing strategic partnerships, and research collaboration. Through this partnership, Acumen will support UTokyo in attracting students from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
Earlier this year, UTokyo announced the launch of a new five-year integrated bachelor's and master's degree program, set to commence in 2027. This program will be conducted in English and will aim to enroll 50 percent of international students. The university has a goal of raising the proportion of international students to at least 30 percent of total UG students and 40 percent of graduate students by 2049. Currently, the numbers are 2 percent and 30 percent respectively. This also aligns with the Japanese government’s ambitious goal of attracting 400,000 international students by 2033. We welcome these initiatives by UTokyo. The timing couldn’t be any better to publish our yearly special issue based on the prestigious alumni of UTokyo. We welcome your feedback.