On 2 October 2025, a signing ceremony was held in the Dean’s Office of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences to formalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Tsukuba and the Faculty of Engineering and Science at the University of Agder. This MoU focuses on researcher exchange rather than student exchange.

The Faculty of Engineering and Science at the University of Agder offers esports degree programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with student recruitment and teaching already in progress. The faculty also has a distinguished track record in AI-related research, raising strong expectations for closer collaboration with our university’s own AI research initiatives.

The agreement was signed by Dean of the Institute Prof Dr Toshinobu Usuyama and Associate Professor Rune Anderson. The designated liaison coordinators are Assistant Professor Dr Tsubasa Shinohara (Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences) and Associate Professor Tobias Scholz (University of Agder).

Given Japan’s leading role in the global gaming industry, the advancement of esports and game studies is of great importance. Moreover, this research area is a core element of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences’ strategic priorities and improvement objectives for the 2025 academic year. The conclusion of this MoU therefore carries significant meaning in strengthening international collaborative research.