The relation between Nagasaki and Portugal has a long history which dates back to the 16th century when Portuguese explorers landed in Nagasaki and started trading. This brought an increase in the value of Nagasaki's property and directly contributed to the development of Nagasaki as an international port. Thanks to this history, the Portuguese Honorary Consulate, which has jurisdiction over Kyushu and Okinawa, is located in Nagasaki. In addition, Nagasaki City is a sister city with Porto City, and the relations between Nagasaki and Portugal is indispensable when explaining Nagasaki in these modern times.

At the present, Nagasaki University has concluded a consortium with Portuguese universities which consists of four Portuguese universities and other universities from 12 countries. Moreover, the consortium has granted an EU's scholarship called "Erasmus +" to support exchange students and staff in the consortium program. Under this support, Nagasaki University held its first "Nagasaki University International Staff Week" and welcomed Portuguese administrative staff from University of Porto and Universidade NOVA de Lisboa to deepen mutual friendship between the two countries and to exchange information about the universities.

In the sessions of the staff week, the participants and our staff enjoyed discussing the internationalization of the universities and joined in a wide variety of activities. Such activities were comprised of sessions with local high school students, visiting historical places to learn of the history and culture of Nagasaki including the local history of the hidden Christians, and the history of exchanges with foreign countries such as Portugal. On the last day, we visited the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Nagasaki and had a meeting to discuss the development of the relationship between our two countries.

This staff week was a good opportunity not only for the two universities in Portugal but also for our university since we rarely have the privilege to experience exchanges with the administrative staff of oversea universities. This exchange was a very meaningful event for us.

May 22：Photo session with the President

May 22：Presentation by University of Porto

May 24：Special lecture by Prof. Yamamoto

May 24：Walking tour （Suwa Shrine）

May 24：Welcome dinner

May 26：Roundtable discussion