On Wednesday, September 2, Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI) held a signing ceremony in Paris, France, for a Framework Cooperation Agreement (FCA) with the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). This marked the first time a Japanese university has entered into such an agreement with INRAE, aiming to promote comprehensive research collaboration and personnel exchange in the fields of food, agriculture, and the environment.

At the ceremony, Tokyo NODAI President Fumiyo Eguchi and INRAE ​​President Philippe Mauguin delivered addresses outlining the objectives and significance of the agreement. Both parties expressed their expectations that the agreement would contribute significantly to advancing cooperation between France and Japan across the broad fields of agricultural, food and environmental sciences before proceeding to sign the document.

Following the signing, INRAE ​​Vice President for International Policy Thierry Caquet provided an overview of the background leading to the agreement and outlined future prospects.

As INRAE is a research institution, representatives responsible for international educational programs at Université Paris-Saclay, with which INRAE has close institutional ties, and at AgroParisTech, a constituent institution of Université Paris-Saclay, also participated in the discussions on promoting student exchange. Both institutions provided an overview of their respective educational and research activities as well as their international exchange programs, and views were exchanged regarding the potential for future student exchanges and educational collaboration.

■Tokyo University of Agriculture
Fumiyo Eguchi, President and Chairperson of the Board
Yuji Yamamoto, Dean, Faculty of Applied Bioscience
Morio Ishikawa, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Applied Bioscience
Teruaki Taiji, Director, Research Institute of Tokyo NODAI
Rie Miyaura, Director, Center for Global Initiatives
Akihito Endo, Deputy Director, Center for Global Initiatives
Shinichi Iwai, Director for International Affairs , University Administration
Kosuke Teratani, Head, Secretary Section, President's Office

■INRAE
Philippe Mauguin, President and CEO
Thierry Caquet, Vice President, International Policy
Pierre Marie, Director, International Affairs Division
Murielle Trouillet, Deputy Director, International Affairs Division
Gabriela Sonohat-Sinoquet, Head of Unit, Cooperation Unit, International Affairs Division
Florent Chazarenc, International Project Manager Asia, International Affairs Division
The following individuals attended the signing ceremony as witnesses:

■Embassy of Japan in France
Takuro Yoshimoto, First Secretary
Takashi Ishii, First Secretary

■National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Development Strategy Center
Kazuhisa Goto, Deputy Director
Ryoko Machida, Administrator for research management (Representative, European Office)

Prior to the signing ceremony, the university's delegation visited Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands on Tuesday, September 1, to hold discussions aimed at further advancing the university's international research and education initiatives.

The agreement is expected to further strengthen Tokyo NODAI's cooperation with INRAE and contribute to the development of its broader European and international partnerships, including with Wageningen University and NARO., thereby paving the way for new European-focused developments in the university's international research and education activities—such as the promotion of joint international research and the enhancement of human resource development.