NUGAN: Leiden Chapter

Exchange between Nagasaki University and Leiden University began in 1987 with reciprocal visits by faculty members, and in 1989 an academic exchange agreement was concluded between the medical departments of the two universities. In recent years, 10 to 15 students from the Leiden University Japanese Studies Department and other departments have been sent to Nagasaki University each year, bringing the total number of alumni to around 250.

The NUGAN Leiden Chapter was established by Ronald Hilhorst, a business owner who studied in Nagasaki while enrolled in Leiden University’s Japanese Studies Department, and has around 50 members.

In November 2024, the establishment reception for the chapter was held at the “Siebold House Japanese Museum,” where Nagasaki University has its International Exchange Promotion Office, and it was attended by alumni, faculty and staff from Leiden University, and Nagasaki University board members, and it became an opportunity to further strengthen the network.

On May 26–27, 2025, President Takeshi Nagayasu and Nagasaki University faculty visited Leiden University to celebrate its 450th anniversary and strengthen academic collaboration.

The delegation met with President Annetje Ottow and joined a NUGAN Leiden Chapter gathering, reconnecting with alumni—many of whom studied at Nagasaki through exchange programs.

Over 200 students from Leiden’s Japanese Studies have studied at Nagasaki University to date. Discussions covered expanding bilateral exchange in Japanese Studies, Medicine, and Humanities, and Professor Pancras Hogendoorn was honored for his contributions to medical collaboration.

Faculty meetings explored new partnerships, and a networking event at the Japan Museum SieboldHuis reaffirmed the historical and academic ties between the two universities.