By fostering collaboration between Japanese and Chinese universities, this initiative seeks to combine expertise, advance integrative architectural research, and create opportunities for joint projects, student exchanges, and interdisciplinary innovation.
Segene Park | AIA
AIA International 2025 First Vice President / 2026–2027 President-Elect, Nihon University Adjunct Professor
On August 25, 2025, a significant milestone was achieved in fostering academic and cultural collaboration between Japan and China. The “Inception of the Japan–China University Exchange” brought together faculty, students, and researchers from leading universities across both countries for a dynamic and forward-looking dialogue on the future of architectural education, research, and interdisciplinary innovation. Hosted by Nihon University in Tokyo, with participation from Zhejiang University, Macao University, Chongqing University, and Tongji University, the event also welcomed online attendees, creating a truly international platform for exchange.
The program opened with welcoming remarks from the AIA International, AIA Japan, ARCHICITY, and North Glass. Segene Park, AIA International 2026–2027 President-elect and Adjunct Professor at Nihon University, delivered a keynote introduction, joined by Balazs Bognar, 2025 President of AIA Japan; Kevin Zhang of ARCHICITY; and Finnick Kang on behlaf of Li Chun Chao from North Glass.
This was followed by presentations from the following institutions, which introduced their programs and provided an overview of their architectural education models and research priorities.
Japan
China
The student presentations formed the centerpiece of the exchange, with Japanese and Chinese students sharing their design projects, research videos, and innovative approaches. These sessions not only showcased the talent and creativity of the next generation but also revealed the diverse ways in which design education is evolving across both countries.
In the latter half of the event, participants engaged in structured discussions on how to shape the Japan–China University Exchange into a formal program. Key topics included the benefits for students, academic and cultural opportunities, and the logistics required to sustain long-term collaboration.
As the academic sessions concluded, Segene Park presented on Japan’s latest urban development, the Azabudai Hills project, situating the architectural initiative within the broader context of Tokyo’s transformation.
To close, Nihon University organized an exclusive tour for participants from Japan. This included a guided visit through Omotesando led by Emiko Ota, Global Communications Advisor, who shared unique insights from her many years of living in the district. The tour enriched the academic discussions by grounding them in Tokyo’s urban reality, blending theory, design, and lived cultural context. Following the tour, the Japanese participants gathered for an informal session to continue their exchanges and strengthen personal and academic connections.
A Platform for Exchange and Innovation
The initiative provided a unique opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of topics central to modern architectural practice and education:
Exchange of Ideas – Encouraging students to present and discuss their design visions, learning from one another’s perspectives and creative processes.
Cultural Enrichment – Experiencing the architectural heritage and contemporary trends of both nations to broaden design thinking.
Student-Led Research – Showcasing applied projects and innovations driven by students, highlighting hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving.
Professional Growth – Building international networks and collaborative skills essential for the global practice of architecture.
Funding and Collaboration Opportunities – Identifying practical pathways to support joint research, student exchanges, and collaborative programs.
Through joint activities such as campus introductions, student project presentations, and tours of cutting-edge urban sustainability projects and culturally vibrant districts, participants gained fresh perspectives on design approaches, planning philosophies, and construction practices.
Bridging Research and Design
Nihon University, with its innovative programs integrating architecture, master planning, sustainability, and oceanic architecture, exemplifies the forward-thinking approach needed to address today’s complex global challenges. Similarly, many Chinese universities are redefining architectural research, going far beyond conventional design disciplines.
Several Chinese universities have developed architecture institutes that operate almost like independent, profit-oriented entities, akin to university hospitals, supporting applied research, consultancy, and innovation. Other universities are purely research-driven, offering doctoral or postgraduate programs where students focus on advanced scientific inquiry, often publishing in high-impact, research-focused journals such as Nature. These institutes explore topics that intersect architecture with emerging areas like AI-assisted design, urban data modeling, environmental sustainability, and oceanic studies, reflecting a broad, interdisciplinary approach to the built environment.
Universities stand to gain significantly from collaboration that leverages their respective expertise in high-quality, integrative architectural research. Through mutual support and the pooling of strengths, Japanese and Chinese institutions can pursue new opportunities for joint research, student exchange, and interdisciplinary initiatives aimed at addressing pressing global challenges in architecture and related fields.
Nihon University faculty members and guests standing in front of the façade of the old building. From left to right: Associate Professor Yohei Hasegawa, Associate Professor Shinji Sato, Emiko Ota, Global Communications Advisor, Adjunct Professor Segene Park, and Vice Dean Professor Tomoki Ikoma.
A Network for the Future
ARCHICITY and AIA International will serve as central coordinators, facilitating communication and collaboration among participating institutions. The Japan–China Academic Initiative is envisioned not as a series of isolated exchanges, but as a coordinated and evolving network designed to foster long-term cooperation and shared learning across borders.
Looking Ahead
Initiatives like this demonstrate that meaningful collaboration often begins with dialogue and small steps, yet with shared vision and commitment, they can evolve into enduring partnerships. By fostering conversation, sharing expertise, and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, the Japan–China Academic Initiative is paving the way for a new era of global architectural education and research—one where ideas cross borders, knowledge is freely exchanged, and innovation knows no limits.
