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Four students from Kyushu University participated in the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU*) SDG Education for Global Citizenship program. The program lasted for three months, during which the students completed a series of activities. Selected through an internal screening process, the students overcame difficulties in this demanding program and achieved significant learning outcomes, closely collaborating with fellow students from six participating universities**.
This program, co-designed with the UN and participating universities, aims to foster global citizenship and build students’ knowledge of global issues and student literacy. Natalie Konomi, Vice President for International Affairs, played a key role in the program development and operation. This year, following last year's first implementation, the program was held under the overarching theme of “Shaping the Future of Health & Wellbeing.”
60 students and mentors from 10 countries and territories participated in the program. Students were split into eight teams and worked on their projects. Each team identified global issues to be addressed and set themes related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They explored the concept of well-being in terms of society, culture, and the economy, deepening their learning through these activities.
The program started on June 1, 2024, and ended on August 30. It was a hybrid format, primarily online, with an on-site component for around 10 days during the latter half of the program. For the on-site portion, participating students traveled to Thailand or Malaysia to join the practical sessions. Despite the unfamiliar environment, they immersed themselves in local communities, mingled with local people, and gained valuable insights. At the end of the program, they delivered final presentations on solutions to global challenges based on their chosen themes. The presentations were in a pitch contest format, adjudicated by judges, including UN executives. Honorably, a team that included Kyushu University student, Ms. Dzhini Nadhifa (from the Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences), won the best prize among eight teams in this highly competitive pitch contest.
After students completed the program, they shared their impressions and reflections.
In the future, participating students are expected to continue playing an active role in solving global issues.
Kyushu University aims to contribute to people’s well-being and sustainable social development. With this vision, Kyushu University continues to work on educating globally competent, value-creating professionals capable of designing a new society and solving social issues, leveraging international consortia represented by APRU.
*APRU
The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia, and Australasia. It was established in 1997 to strengthen cooperation in higher education for the Asia-Pacific region and contribute to solving pressing issues, especially in terms of education and research. Kyushu University has been a member since 2021. In 2022, Kyushu organized a webinar series titled “A Carbon Neutral Society – Action Month” as a pilot program relating to decarbonization. Kyushu University engages in various programs at APRU, including the Virtual Student Exchange (VSE) Program and the Asia Pacific Women in Leadership Program (APWiL).
** Participating Universities:
Participants try their hand at batik painting, one of Malaysia’s cultural heritages, during the Cultural Program at Universiti Malaya in Malaysia
Group photo of participants at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand
Program participants discuss global issues during the on-site activity
Students receive a certificate for completion of the on-site program
Global Partnership & Alliance
International Affairs Division, International Affairs Department
Mail: intlsenryaku★jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp
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