日本和歌山大學(Wakayama University) 教育研究中心主任Ayako Nagatomo教授與Keiko Shimmamoto助理教授於2025年2月25日拜訪國立屏東大學，並與國際事務處及應用日語學系深入交流，討論交換生合作案並向師生進行兩場講演。

On February 25, 2025, Professor Ayako Nagatomo, Director of the Center for Educational Research at Wakayama University, and Assistant Professor Keiko Shimmamoto visited National Pingtung University (NPTU). They met with the Office of International Affairs and the Department of Applied Japanese to discuss future student exchange programs and delivered two lectures to NPTU faculty and students.
 
和歌山大學為日本國立大學，為合校後改制更名的學府。1949年，由和歌山師範學校、和歌山青年師範學校、和歌山經濟專門學校(創立初為和歌山高等商業學校)合併而成新制和歌山大學，學校性質與本校教育及商業合併相近。去(2024)年7月，由本校陳永森校長與陳皇州國際事務長前往該校拜會，並由該校Mitsugi Motoyama校長親自接待同時簽署合作備忘錄及學生交換協議。今年，教育研究中心主任Ayako Nagatomo教授與Keiko Shimmamoto助理教授回訪，持續落實兩校合作情誼，至盼能讓兩校師生有更廣國際交流機會。

Wakayama University, a Japanese national university established in 1949 through the merger of teacher training and economics institutions, shares a similar academic background with NPTU. Last July, NPTU President Robert Y.S. Chen and Dean of International Affairs Kelvin H.-C. Chen visited Wakayama University, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Student Exchange Agreement with President Mitsugi Motoyama.

曾紀幸副校長親自接待並主持座談會，代表本校歡迎兩位師長蒞臨。國際事務處處長陳皇州教授與來賓深度交流未來兩校可能進行的合作事項並順邀該校參與今年度本校校慶，應用日語學系簡中昊主任亦積極推展該系師生與訪賓任職單位未來交流合作方向，同時也感謝對方同意於此行拜會中給予該系師生兩場演講，拓展師生對日本視野及國際交流機會。
This return visit further strengthened the partnership. NPTU Vice President Chi-Hsing Tseng welcomed the guests and chaired a symposium. Discussions covered future collaboration opportunities, with invitations extended for participation in NPTU's anniversary celebration. The Department of Applied Japanese also explored academic exchanges and expressed gratitude for the guest lectures, which enriched students' perspectives on Japan and international culture.

Ayako Nagatomo教授進一步指出，期待兩校有更進一步合作，並能共享研究成果。該校相當歡迎本校學生前往交換學習，但也勉勵除了修習學分外，期待學子們能深入瞭解日本在地風土民俗文化，把所見所聞帶回來與更多人分享，讓交流更具深層意義。此次訪問的重點除聯繫兩校情誼外，也順訪正在本校文化創意產業學系交換的Miroku同學，瞭解他們學生在本校學習情形且速得本校學生友誼支持，能在友善環境快樂學習感到欣慰。以如此友愛學習合作的交流及互動，期待能更加深後雙方情感，賡續讓彼此關係更穩健與友好。
Professor Nagatomo expressed hopes for deeper cooperation and encouraged NPTU students to study in Wakayama, emphasizing cultural immersion alongside academic achievements. The visit also included a meeting with Miroku, a Wakayama student currently on exchange at NPTU, who shared his positive learning experiences in Pingtung. The exchange highlighted the strong ties between the two universities and reaffirmed their commitment to building a long-term, meaningful partnership.