Sylff News

On January 6, 2026, three members of the Tokyo Foundation, including President Mieko Nakabayashi, visited the UNSW Business School in Sydney. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Professor and Senior Deputy Dean Karin Sanders, along with members of the Sylff steering committee and administrative staff, with whom they exchanged views on the Sylff program at UNSW.

The Sylff program at UNSW Business School is characterized by its strong integration of academic study with industry engagement. Fellows specializing in fields such as marketing, finance, and business management are encouraged to develop leadership by pursuing research with practical relevance and social impact.

During the visit, the delegation met with four Sylff fellows on campus—Marian Cooray, Vartan Bal, Özlem Beldan, and Sacha Da Cunha Soares—who presented the research they conducted during their fellowships. Their work addresses a range of pressing challenges, including climate action, sustainable economic growth, and social inclusion.

Front row (from left): Fellow Özlem Beldan, fellow Sacha da Cunha Soares, contact person Florence Yang, and fellow Marian Cooray; back row (from left): fellow Vartan Bal, Treasury Director Andrew Fellowes, contact person Toni Hodge, Professor Karin Sanders, Executive Director Mari Suzuki, President Mieko Nakabashi, and Public Communications Officer Hiroshi Saito.

The following day, the delegation also met Oscar Osborne, a Sylff fellow from 2020 to 2022, over lunch in Sydney. Reflecting on his experience in the Sylff community, Osborne shared how the program broadened his international perspective. He also spoke about his plans to launch a startup and his interest in collaborating with corporate and nonprofit partners in Japan and the United States.

Meeting with fellow Oscar Osborne over lunch.

The delegation was particularly impressed by how engaging and outgoing the fellows were, as well as by their commitment to applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges beyond the classroom.

This trip to Sydney was the Foundation’s first visit to a Sylff institution in 2026 and a promising start to the year. We look forward to additional visits and continued engagement with the Sylff community in the months ahead.