On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Dr. Chirizi Marwala, President of United Nations University (UNU) (Headquarter: Tokyo) and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, paid a courtesy visit to Ehime University and delivered a special lecture to Rector Hiroshige Nishina.
They were accompanied by Shinobu Yamaguchi, Director of the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies on Sustainability (UNU-IAS), and Taka Horio, Executive Director of the UNU-IAS Graduate Program Office, and were welcomed by President Nishina of Ehime University, Kazuhiro Mitsunobu, Director and Vice President of the Institute for International Relations, and Osamu Kobayashi, Special Assistant to the President of Ehime University.
During the discussion, Rector Nishina gave a welcome speech, followed by Rector Marwala, who introduced the mission of UNU and its global presence, as well as the activities of the United Nations University SDG-Universities Platform (UNU SDG-UP).
After the discussion, they visited the Ehime University Museum, where Museum Director Katsushi Nishimura and Professor Hiroshi Yoshida explained how the museum was established by Ehime University and the exhibits on display. President Marwara listened attentively and looked at the exhibits and panel explanations.
After this, the venue was moved to Nanka Memorial Hall for a special lecture by President Marwara.
In his lecture, titled “Creating a Sustainable Society: The New Role of Universities in Tackling AI,” he spoke about international trends and his own research experience. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he emphasized that universities play a leading role in social development and that universities need to actively confront social issues beyond the framework of education and research. In particular, he suggested that universities should utilize AI while correctly evaluating the ethical and environmental impact of its rapid development.
He also explained the history and mission of UNC and encouraged the audience to take charge of their own lives and make decisions that will help build a sustainable future.
After the lecture, a panel discussion was held with international students, undergraduate students, and high school students, who exchanged questions and opinions on their respective areas of interest. It is important to confirm the answers it gives and not to be taken in by AI. It is also important to have your own ideas and evaluate the answers given by AI, rather than leaving everything to AI,” he said, reiterating the importance of how to deal with AI. This special lecture was attended by 80 people (including 25 online participants), including 22 university students and 21 high school students, who listened to President Marwara’s lecture. Participants listened attentively to President Marwala’s lecture, and continued to ask questions after the lecture, indicating the high level of interest in AI.
This visit was a rare opportunity to hear directly from President Marwala, who is active at the forefront of the international community and has a wealth of experience, especially in the field of AI research, as well as in supporting the achievement of the SDGs. This was a rare opportunity to hear directly from President Marwala.
Ehime University will continue to further strengthen its partnership with the United Nations University to enhance education and research from an international perspective and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
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