Gender equality and diversity in leadership are common global goals not only for empowering women and girls but for realizing a sustainable global community. The role of women leaders, especially women university presidents, is crucial for realizing inclusive quality education, global well-being through research and co-work in our societies with diversity. Although Japan has a long tradition of the establishment of women’s higher education institutions and the enrollment of women students, the share of women university presidents and leaders is far behind that of other leading countries.

This international symposium invites distinguished speakers who have contributed to fostering and building networks of women university leaders. Based on the shared best practices and international trends among women university leaders, especially the presidents, we will discuss the challenges and future visions for women’s leadership in Japanese higher education with distinguished speakers from China, the UK, and the US.

Chair: Akiyoshi Yonezawa, Professor, Tohoku University

Opening remarks and Introduction (15 min)

Ginko Kawano, Professor, Yamagata University
Keiko Sasaki, Emeritus Professor, The University of Electro Communications
Meiying Huang, Professor, Shokei Gakuin University

Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Mildred García, President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) (video)

Norma Jarboe, Founder and Director of WomenCount (video)

Lina Zhou, Associate Professor, Communication University of China

Yuko Takahashi, President, Tsuda University