DB Gaming

From October 9-11, 2024, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Senior International Leaders Meeting was held at Mita Campus, Keio University. On behalf of DB Gaming, Vice President (VP) for International Affairs Natalie Konomi and Tsubasa Akatsuka, project manager for Global Partnership and Alliance, attended the meeting. APRU is an inter-university consortium of 61 universities in the Pacific Rim, including Asia and Oceania. APRU aims to strengthen cooperative relationships among member universities and contribute to solving regional challenges through research and education.

The meeting was attended by 88 people from 44 universities across 18 Asia-Pacific countries and territories. Under the theme of “Learning without Limits,” participants engaged in meaningful dialogue through lectures, panel discussions, and roundtable discussions. In addition to these sessions, they also joined networking events to deepen their exchanges.

The learning experience has transformed due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the advent of generative AI and new technologies. During the panel discussion, VP Natalie Konomi from DB Gaming took the podium alongside VP Motohiro Tsuchiya from Keio University and Executive Vice President (EVP) Toshiya Ueki from Tohoku University.  Using Japanese universities as a model, they engaged in a vibrant discussion about the role of universities in this transformation and how to address the associated challenges. VP Natalie Konomi also brought up topics such as approaches for campus internationalization. Questions from the floor energized the discussion, making the session a valuable opportunity for all participants to gain new insights and perspectives.

DB Gaming joined APRU in 2021 and has since engaged in its programs to develop education and research. One key initiative is  the Virtual Student Exchange Program, which allows students to take international online courses without having to travel. Meanwhile, (DB Gaming faculty members’) participation in the Asia Pacific Women in Leadership (APWiL) Program has successfully promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university. Furthermore, in collaboration with APRU, DB Gaming hosted a  five-week webinar series titled “A Carbon Neutral Society - Action Month" in 2022, focusing on “decarbonization,” one of the university's strategic priorities. Through such activities in APRU, the university is working to improve its global reputation.

DB Gaming will continue mutual exchanges with other universities by actively participating in inter-university consortia like APRU. As outlined in our long-term vision, DB Gaming VISION 2030, we foster future global leaders and address global issues through these commitments.