【NEWS RELEASE】
August 1, 2024
University of Tsukuba
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

University of Tsukuba and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Announce
Comprehensive Partnership Agreement

University of Tsukuba (President: Kyosuke Nagata) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
(President and Group CEO: Toru Nakashima, hereinafter collectively referred to as the “SMBCGroup”) have concluded a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the“Agreement”). This agreement, a new model of collaboration between universities and financial
institutions, has been concluded to contribute to social transformation by promoting thescience/technology advancement and human resource development by expanding this model acrossJapan.
Also, through this agreement, the University of Tsukuba, located in Tsukuba Science City which
was established more than half a century ago, will undertake management reforms to develop
sustainable and competitive operational foundation. The SMBC Group, will develop various
collaborative initiatives as a transformation partner of the University of Tsukuba. We aim to becomea model that foster regional revitalization and the collaboration between universities and financialinstitutions.

1.

Background
The advancement of science and technology that drives society and industry, and thedevelopment of human resources that promotes the progress are of the utmost importance inJapan, which is poor in natural resources. University institutions have been responsible for bothadvanced and cutting-edge research and development for human resources that will create
future. National universities have been in charge of world-class education and research, theinheritance and development of important academic fields, ensuring equal opportunities ofhigher education in all prefectures, and fostering global talent. However, the financial situation
surrounding national universities is reaching its limits, with reductions in basic expenses as
Management Expense Grant, and other financial constraints.

Under such circumstances, the University of Tsukuba has been striving to be a university thattransform entrenched social systems and values. To solidify the foundations of university
management, University of Tsukuba has promoted various educational and research initiatives
with a focus on social implementation and contribution. While conventional industry-academia
collaboration generally involves setting individual themes and dividing responsibilities between
researchers and businesses, diverse initiatives from this agreement aims to not only solve theUniversity of Tsukuba's issues in the short term, but also expand and connect with the society
and other universities. This is the beginning of a “new adventure” that will open up newhorizons for the University of Tsukuba.
Meanwhile, the SMBC Group has placed “Creation of Social Value” as a pillar of its
management policies in its current Mid-term management plan, and works to contribute to“Japan’s Regrowth”, which is listed as a key issue to be addressed.
By supporting universities -an organization that brings together a wealth of knowledge and aconnection to society- to improve their environment, enhance their competitiveness, andpromote regional revitalization that stem from these actions, it will lead to “Japan's Regrowth”,
which must become increasingly important in the future. With these in mind, the SMBC Group
resonates the ideals of the University of Tsukuba, and as a transformation partner, the SMBC
Group and the University of Tsukuba will work together to implement various initiatives
towards social transformation.

2.

Overview of the Agreement
The University of Tsukuba and the SMBC Group will create the future with “Finance andKnowledge”, and jointly work primarily in the following five areas:(1) Enhancing University Management, including more robust financial foundation - Towards auniversity supported by the community-Strengthening the university's financial foundation and improving asset management throughthe acquisition of external funding and the effective use of assets, which are necessary foruniversity management-Enhancing and streamlining university management through digital transformation ofuniversity operations-Improving the wellness of university members through the introduction of a university-wide
cashless system and the effective use of information(2) Developing a new joint research and commercialization system – Addressing the social needs

-Optimal matching of university research and technological seeds with the needs of companies
and other organizations to drive social transformation-Supporting the realization of society where start-ups and university-based ventures are bornand grow continuously.
(3) Fostering talents who can drive education, research and business together - Connecting withsociety-Developing professionals who can take on university management, finance, and other roles,
and facilitating human resource exchange- Jointly developing talents who understand the education and research fields of universities
with a business mindset, and who can develop the research and technological seeds ofuniversities, which are the foundation of social transformation, into business.
(4) Promoting sports and related fields - Leading a brighter future society-Developing support programs for athletes’ second careers-Developing support initiatives for university and corporate sports-Researching and utilizing sports science and technology, one of the strengths at the Universityof Tsukuba(5) Promoting inclusive education - Contributing to a society that thrives on diversity-Enhancing the integrated management model of regular schools and special needs schools,
conducted by the University of Tsukuba-Developing inclusive education programs that cater to various types of schools-Implementing financial literacy and education covering elementary to higher education, andfostering talent demanded in future society-Supporting international students in collaboration with overseas universities

The University of Tsukuba and the SMBC Group will expand these on-campus initiatives to thecommunity, leveraging the location of the Tsukuba City, designated as a Super City initiative toprovide a place for joint research and proof-of-concept projects with startups and globalcompanies.
Furthermore, through the development of a community based around sports, we will support thecreation of a well-being city where students and researchers can fully develop their abilities andcontribute to the vibrant lives of residents.
Moreover, we will also work to expand this model across Japan as a leading collaboration
model between universities and financial institutions.

END