Soka University, School of Nursing

The School of Nursing at Soka University recently received a grant from the Japan Association of Private Nursing Universities under its “Grant Program for New International Exchange Activities” and implemented a new international exchange program with the School of Nursing at the University of Barcelona in the Kingdom of Spain.This project was implemented with the aim of promoting cutting-edge nursing education and research that incorporates a planetary health perspective, and of fostering nursing professionals with an international outlook. Additionally, by strengthening educational and research collaboration with the University of Barcelona, the project aims to help students and faculty cultivate a multicultural perspective and develop the skills necessary to thrive in a global society.

In recent years, the international community as a whole has been called upon to address global challenges such as climate change, environmental issues, health disparities, and the spread of infectious diseases. Against this backdrop, the field of nursing is increasingly emphasizing a perspective that views health not merely as a human issue, but as something to be understood comprehensively within the context of the global environment and social structures.In particular, “Planetary Health” has garnered international attention as a concept that integrates human health with the sustainability of the global environment; it represents a new interdisciplinary approach that examines the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on health from multiple perspectives.

In preparation for the launch of this international exchange program, we held several online preparatory meetings between April and September 2025. Participants from the University of Barcelona included Teresa Luc, Dean of the School of Nursing, and Associate Professor Amparo del Pino Gutiérrez, the international exchange coordinator; while participants from our university included Satoshi Sasaki, Dean of the School of Nursing, and Yumi Oshida, Lecturer.During the meetings, lively discussions took place regarding the establishment of a continuous and effective framework for exchange, covering topics such as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), joint research, student exchanges, and the invitation of visiting faculty members.

Subsequently, from Tuesday, October 7, to Sunday, October 12, 2025, Dean Sasaki and Lecturer Oshida visited Barcelona, Spain, where they signed an academic exchange agreement with the School of Nursing at the University of Barcelona. During the signing ceremony, the parties exchanged views on academic and educational cooperation, and a lecture titled “Bridging Cultures” was delivered by a faculty member from our university.The lecture sparked a lively discussion on the importance of cross-cultural understanding and an approach to nursing grounded in human dignity, deepening the exchange between students and faculty. Participating students shared many insights on the importance of deepening their understanding of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and the significance of contributing to the international community as nursing professionals.

In addition, while in Spain, the delegation toured the Clinic Campus—which houses the Schools of Nursing and Medicine—as well as the Belviche Campus and the affiliated hospital, deepening their understanding of nursing education and community healthcare practices in Spain. At the affiliated hospital, nursing students currently on clinical rotations gave the delegation a tour of the wards and explained nursing care procedures; this provided a valuable opportunity to deepen mutual understanding of the differences between nursing education and healthcare systems in Japan and Spain.Furthermore, through a tour of the student dormitories, we confirmed the hosting arrangements for the planned international nursing training program and proceeded with discussions aimed at implementing concrete student exchange programs.

In addition, from Monday, November 10, to Friday, November 14, 2025, Soka University hosted three visiting faculty members from the School of Nursing at the University of Barcelona: Associate Professor Amparo del Pino, Associate Professor Carmen Moreno, and Assistant Professor Esther Crespo.During their stay, a diverse range of exchange programs were held, including a commemorative lecture marking the signing of the exchange agreement, lectures for the “Special Seminar on International Nursing II” course, informal discussions with students, visits to medical facilities, and exchanges with our sister institution.For the students, this was a valuable experience that not only provided an opportunity to learn firsthand about nursing education, culture, and the healthcare system in Spain but also broadened their international perspectives through cross-cultural exchange. Furthermore, faculty members engaged in a lively exchange of views on teaching methods and research topics, making this a meaningful exchange that further expanded the possibilities for future joint research and educational collaboration.

The School of Nursing at Soka University will continue to build upon this exchange to promote the mutual exchange of students through international nursing training programs, the ongoing invitation of visiting faculty, and the expansion of international collaborative research networks. Through cross-border learning and collaboration, we aim to foster nursing professionals who can address global challenges and act on the basis of human dignity, and we are committed to further advancing the quality of our education and research.