Discover the hidden connections between UK and Japanese Higher Education…
Get ready for a fascinating deep dive into the world of Japanese Higher Education! AHEP’s International HE Special Interest Group is thrilled to partner with our colleagues at the Japanese Association of University Administrative Management (JUAM) for this exclusive webinar. Our expert speakers, Dr Anthony Manning, Mikayo Toyoshima, and Shigetoshi Akamatsu will explore key themes by comparing the current landscapes of higher education in both the UK and Japan.
With longstanding AHEP member and International HE SIG’s Lead Coordinator Emma Marku facilitating the discussion, this is your chance to gain fresh global insights, spark new ideas, and connect with international colleagues. Don’t miss out – join us for this exciting cross-cultural exchange!
With the UK Higher Education sector facing unprecedented challenges, it has never been more crucial to look beyond our borders for fresh insights and inspiration. By learning from partner associations around the world, like JUAM, we can gain valuable perspectives on innovative practices and solutions that may be adaptable to our own context. Understanding how other countries tackle similar issues can help us refine our strategies, improve student experiences, and foster a more inclusive, global approach to campus development.
Comparing our approaches with those of other higher education systems also provides an opportunity for critical reflection. Looking at familiar challenges through a different cultural and organisational lens can help us question assumptions, reconsider established processes, and identify new ways of working. By viewing our own practices from an alternative perspective, we can uncover opportunities for improvement and innovation that may otherwise go unnoticed.
This webinar offers a unique opportunity to explore these global practices, allowing us not only to learn from Japan’s experiences and successes, but also to reflect on, enhance, and develop our own approaches in response to the ongoing challenges facing the sector.
About the Japanese Association of University Administrative Management (JUAM)
The Japan Association of University Administrative Management (JUAM), founded in January 1997, supports university and junior college administrators through research and professional development in university administration. Initially focused on administrators, it now welcomes faculty, staff, and graduate students committed to advancing as specialized professionals through both theoretical and practical research, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of higher education. JUAM engages in various activities through 9 committees, 13 thematic research groups, and 8 regional research groups. The thematic research groups cover topics such as the Human Resources, the Finance, the Research Promotion, and the Women’s Universities. JUAM also holds its annual conference and exhibition in autumn.
Event at glance:
How and Why UK Universities Internationalise: Comparing Cases in the UK and Japan
Is internationalisation a strategic choice, a financial necessity, or both?
With increasing pressures on higher education, understanding internationalisation has never been more important. This webinar explores the motivations, benefits, and challenges of internationalisation by comparing experiences in the UK and Japan. Through discussions on student recruitment, funding, curriculum internationalisation, research collaboration, student support, and the student voice, participants will gain fresh perspectives on current practice.
By examining another higher education system, attendees will be encouraged to reflect on their own institutional approaches, challenge assumptions, and identify opportunities to strengthen internationalisation strategies and enhance the student experience. The session will conclude with practical takeaways, including how institutions can advance Internationalisation at Home, develop cultural intelligence across their workforce, strengthen student belonging and transition support, and build the institutional capacity needed to sustain global engagement and diverse graduate outcomes.
We look forward to welcoming you to this event.
This event will be recorded.
Speakers:
Dr Anthony Manning
About Dr Anthony
Dr Anthony Manning is Associate Dean International at Arden University. Anthony is an experienced leader in international education, with a strong track record of strategic development and academic innovation across global learning, internationalisation of the curriculum and internationalisation at Home. He is a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE and a National Teaching Fellow, reflecting his commitment to internationalised teaching and educational leadership. Prior to joining Arden, Anthony held senior roles at the University of Kent and the University of Reading. Anthony has lived and worked in five different countries and is also a trustee for the British Accreditation Council and a member of groups and committees for EAIE, NCUK and the British Council.
Miyako Toyoshima
About Miyako
More details to follow soon.
Shigetoshi Akamatsu
About Shigetoshi
More details to follow soon.
Facilitator Biography
Emma Marku, International HE SIG Lead Coordinator
Global and Cultural Leadership Development Adviser
University of Kent
About Emma
Emma Marku is based within the Careers, Employability and Skills department at the University of Kent and has been involved in international education for the past 15 years. She has worked within International Student Recruitment, Study Abroad, International Partnerships, Global Learning, and her current role focus on global and cultural skills development, with a focus on Cultural Intelligence (CQ) that supports Internationalisation at Home initiatives, employability and experiential learning.
Emma is a certified CQ facilitator and also a staff sustainability champion at the University of Kent, and a member of UUKi’s Climate Action Task and Finish Group, she has co-chaired the UUKi’s working group for Internationalisation at Home for the past two years and been a member of the Association of Higher Education Professionals since 2014. She has participated in AHEP’s virtual study tours on China and Greece and looks forward to bringing her passion and enthusiasm for International HE into her role as Lead Coordinator, hoping to build on existing relationships with its members and organisation around the world to contribute to the development of others.
Interested in attending but not yet a member of AHEP? Our free events are typically only available to AHEP members, with exclusive access to a variety of opportunities throughout the year. If you’re considering membership but not quite sure about becoming a full paid member, why not try our ‘Intro to AHEP’ offering and get a taste of AHEP and our community of HE professionals.
We encourage non-members to register for full membership to gain full access to all of our free events.
Details in brief
Venue: online via MS Teams
Date: Thursday 9th July 2026
Duration: 10:30 – 12:00 GMT
Open to AHEP members and JUAM Colleagues
If you would like further information before booking, please email events@ahep.ac.uk
This event is hosted in collaboration with:
