Edith Cowan University (ECU) has marked the 10th anniversary of its landmark partnership with Tokyo City University (TCU), celebrating a decade of international collaboration that has established one of the largest student mobility programs between Australia and Japan.
Since the launch of the Tokyo City University Australia Program (TAP) in 2016, more than 1,600 TCU students have travelled to Perth to take part in the intensive 16-week study abroad experience. The program combines English language development, academic study, and is supported by the award winning ‘Experiencing Australia’ social and cultural engagement program.
To commemorate the milestone, a delegation led by TCU President Dr Tomonari Yashiro visited ECU in October, participating in a series of events at ECU’s City and Joondalup campuses. More than 100 guests were invited to a formal anniversary event and celebrations included a vibrant Japan Festival organised by current TCU students, showcasing Japanese culture through activities such as calligraphy, paper lantern making, and language learning.
The success of TAP extends far beyond student numbers. Through the program, visiting students are paired with ECU “Buddy Ambassadors”, local students who help facilitate cultural exchange and support the TCU students during their stay. More than 1,000 ECU students have volunteered as Buddy Ambassadors over the past decade, gaining leadership experience, intercultural skills, and international networks.
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock highlighted the broader impact of the partnership, noting that TAP creates a pathway for ECU students to engage internationally without leaving campus and often encourages them to pursue overseas study, travel, and professional development opportunities. Buddy Ambassadors have also had the opportunity of reciprocal study in Tokyo at TCU, among more than160 ECU students supported by an Australian Government New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant.
Former Buddy Ambassador Jessica Knight is one example of the program’s lasting influence. Her involvement in TAP led to further international opportunities, including study experiences in Japan and a prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship. She credits TAP with broadening her horizons, fostering lifelong connections, and opening pathways she had never previously considered.
According to ECU Manager Internationalisation Simon Davies Burrows, who has been involved since the program’s inception, the partnership’s success stems from a shared long-term vision and a commitment from both universities to continually improve the student experience. This focus on student outcomes has helped TAP become a model of international education collaboration now extended to other partners.
The relationship has already produced wider benefits, including participation in the Asia-Oceania Five Universities Alliance and the launch of a Joint Master of Environmental Studies, the first Australia–Japan joint master’s degree program.
Looking ahead, the future of the partnership is secure. A new agreement commencing in 2026 extends TAP through to 2031, with both universities committed to expanding community engagement initiatives, increasing outbound mobility opportunities, and strengthening academic collaboration.
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