Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) and Kobe University are strengthening their cooperation through a Joint Doctoral Supervision Programme in management and business research, creating new opportunities for professionals and organisations in the Netherlands and Japan.
The collaboration started in 2023, when faculty members from both universities visited each other and began intensive academic exchanges. These discussions and collaborations led to the official launch of the joint programme in March 2025.
The programme is now active, with the first PhD candidate already conducting research under joint supervision. The programme enables participants to pursue a PhD or Executive PhD while benefiting from academic guidance in both the Netherlands and Japan. It combines strong research foundations with practical business relevance, making it especially suitable for working professionals and executives who want to deepen their expertise while staying connected to real-world challenges.
Alongside doctoral education, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam contributes its executive education expertise through the VU Leadership Academy, offering customised leadership development programmes delivered in Amsterdam, at company sites, and internationally, including Japan. A strong example of our impact is the collaboration with SER Topvrouwen, where the VU Leadership Academy conducted the program “How to Increase Board Effectiveness.” This initiative brought together powerful women on boards who were eager for knowledge, inspiration, idea exchange, and the development of strong professional connections. For companies within the DUJAT network, this offers direct access to academic expertise and strengthens collaboration between Japan and the Netherlands.
Are you interested in a PhD, Executive PhD, or VU leadership Academy customised leadership development programmes?
We welcome inquiries from professionals and organisations. Please fill in this Form or contact us at leadershipacademy@vu.nl to explore opportunities for collaboration.