On June 21, a delegation from Wayne State University in the U.S., including Dr. Stephen M. Lanier, Vice President for Research and Dr. Ahmad M. Ezzeddine, Associate Vice President for Educational Outreach and International Programs, paid a courtesy call to President Hirofumi Makino.

President Makino and other officials from Okayama University discussed with the delegation how the two universities are interacting with each other, as well as how they should interact and strengthen their partnership in the future. President Makino informed the delegation that Okayama University had received a special prize as part of the first Japan SDGs Awards organized by the national government and that the University collaborates with local governments and communities to solve various problems. Vice President Lanier informed Okayama University officials that their institution also collaborates with the City of Detroit to contribute to local communities and offers courses incorporating the SDGs.

The group was visiting Japan to attend an event held on June 23 to celebrate the establishment of the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems. They also visited a number of other undergraduate schools and graduate schools of Okayama University. The two universities are planning to further expand exchanges in the future.