KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 28, 2025

Kennesaw State University this week hosted a delegation from Japan to sign an agreement with Fukuoka University that creates new educational opportunities for financial technology students at both universities.

The delegation included Fukuoka Mayor Sōichirō Takashima, Fukuoka University President Kiyofumi Nagata, and Consul General Mio Maeda, alongside members of the Fukuoka City Council and Fukuoka University faculty. KSU representatives included Robin Cheramie, Dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business, and Vice Provost Sheb True. Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling also attended the event, reflecting the agreement’s significance to Kennesaw and Fukuoka.

“This agreement is not only a partnership between two universities,” said Easterling, “it represents a partnership between the cities of Fukuoka and Kennesaw. As Kennesaw hosts students from Fukuoka and vice versa, it is my hope that our students will learn to celebrate each other’s differences while embracing what makes them the same.”

During the ceremony held on the KSU campus, Fukuoka University and KSU signed an agreement that includes establishing a relationship between the Japanese university and Kennesaw State’s Master of Science in Digital Financial Technologies program. Under the agreement, Fukuoka students will take fintech courses on the KSU campus next year, with KSU students traveling to Japan shortly after.

“This partnership is a powerful example of how global engagement can create economic opportunity,” said Dr. Robin Cheramie, Dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business. “Our students will gain firsthand experience in international markets, preparing them to lead in a rapidly evolving financial technology landscape.”

Kennesaw State University has been growing its fintech programs for years. In addition to the MS-Fintech degree – which is the first fintech master’s degree in Georgia – the University offers a graduate certificate and an undergraduate minor. Meanwhile, the Atlanta area is often nicknamed “transaction alley,” because 70 percent of all U.S. transactions are processed by companies in the city. This regional focus on fintech has made KSU and Atlanta attractive destinations for Fukuoka University’s students.

The agreement will not only create opportunities for students to enhance their understanding of fintech but will also help them become better global citizens, which is something that sits at the heart of KSU’s mission.

“Fintech is transforming how we live, work, and do business,” said Dr. Nick Suppiah, Director of Fintech Programs at KSU. “This collaboration ensures our graduates are not only technically skilled, but globally minded.”

The visit from the Japanese delegation coincides with the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Atlanta and Fukuoka, with the agreement between KSU and Fukuoka University adding a new dynamic to that ongoing partnership.

“We at Fukuoka City are delighted that this partnership was sparked by a meeting between our staff and Dr. Nick Suppiah at Fintech South last year,” said Fukuoka Mayor Takashima. Fintech South is a major annual conference showcasing fintech industry developments in Atlanta.

“As we aim to become an international financial hub, we believe that global exchange and innovation led by young talent are essential,” added Takashima. “Through this agreement, I hope students from both universities will grow into globally active fintech professionals who contribute to the development of Japan and the world.”

Fukuoka University President Nagata shared Mayor Takashima’s optimism for what the agreement will mean for students in Fukuoka and Kennesaw.

“We are excited about this new partnership as it will provide us with many opportunities for student exchanges, joint research, and faculty collaboration,” said President Nagata. “In particular, we look forward to exploring initiatives in the field of fintech in cooperation with the City of Fukuoka.”

Following the signing ceremony, the delegation attended a walking tour of the Kennesaw State campus before traveling to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the Atlanta-Fukuoka relationship.

As the ceremony at KSU concluded, the guests all expressed a sincere desire to see the relationship between Kennesaw State and Fukuoka University continue to grow.

“The agreement signed today is only the beginning,” Cheramie said. “We at the Coles College look forward to many years of collaboration, innovation, and mutual success.”

-Patrick Harbin