Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>In the context of global talent competition, building world‑class universities has become a strategic goal for higher education systems worldwide. As a leading Asian research university, Kyoto University implemented the “Gateway Plan” (2014–2023) to promote internationalization, disciplinary innovation, and talent mobility, setting a benchmark for Japanese university reform. Using a SWOT framework, this paper examines Kyoto University’s strengths (international reputation, research output, faculty quality, financial stability), weaknesses (low admission rate, science‑engineering skewed structure, overreliance on quantitative indicators, inadequate support for international students), opportunities (national policy support, global collaboration), and threats (economic fluctuations, public health crises, intensified competition). Targeted strategies include improving research quality, establishing comprehensive support for international students, and strengthening crisis response mechanisms. These findings offer valuable insights for other countries, particularly in Asia, striving to build world‑class universities.</p>