In April, Ito was named dean of Aichi Law School in Nagoya, Japan. He asked Port, a professor at Mitchell, whether the two institutions might partner in some way.
Those discussions led to the signing Aug. 11 of an agreement between Mitchell and Aichi that creates what Ito called a “platform to communicate with each other that’s easy for us for the future.” “The most important component of the agreement is that it creates a friendship with a non-American law school. And through that friendship we hope to generate all sorts of opportunities,” said Port. Those could include student and faculty exchanges, Port said, and the new relationship could also aid both schools in recruiting students.
Aichi is smaller than Mitchell, but the schools have similar missions, student profiles and national rankings, Port said. “For Mitchell and Aichi, it makes some really great synergistic sense.”
Mary Pat Byrn, Mitchell’s associate dean for administration, signed the agreement along with Ito at a lunchtime ceremony in the Chief Justice Chambers at Mitchell.
The agreement, which is set for five years with the ability to renew, is expected to take effect this fall once the administration at Aichi University signs off.
Byrn said the Aichi partnership holds great promise for students—starting perhaps as early as next fall—through “exchange opportunities, including study abroad and classes that involve students from both locations in an online platform.”
It’s easy to simply announce you’re going to partner with another school, Byrn said, but the key to this one is the strong connection between Port and Ito. “I think that’s likely why it’s going to be a success, because we have that connection from the ground up and can really build from there.
“This is an exciting time at the college. We’re really looking to create and strengthen international partnerships,” Byrn said. Mitchell also has a strategic partnership agreement with China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) in which Mitchell offers a special, customized LL.M. program to CUPL graduates.
As for the Aichi deal, “I hope that both law schools have an exchange of students, programs, faculty; that we’re going to have a strong tie between the two law schools. But now it’s just the beginning of the relationship,” Ito said. “Let’s be nice friends.”
