University of Tsukuba hosted the "2024 Japan-ROK Exchange Program" supported by the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

University of Tsukuba (Tsukuba, Japan) proudly organized the "2024 Japan-ROK Exchange Program" from August 19 to 22, 2024, at its Tokyo Campus as part of its 151st+50th Anniversary Project of our university.

This event marked the second such endeavor following the previous year's success. The 84 bachelor students selected from a highly competitive competition across Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), participated in this program. The delegation included 39 Japanese students (some high school students and international students included) and 45 invited students from ROK.

The program received official support, sponsorship, and collaborative contributions from over 30 institutions, including the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan (KCC), and The Japan-Korea Cultural Foundation. Over four days and three nights, the program facilitated a robust platform for youth exchange.

At the heart of this program is the "Cross-cultural Communication Program with Project/Problem-Based Learning (CCPP)," an innovative international exchange framework that integrates entrepreneurship, cross-cultural communication, and interaction with foreigners, such as cultural experiences and tourism. Especially the entrepreneurship component of the program was meticulously supervised by Professors NISHINO Yoshitaka and Assistant Professors NOMURA Tsuyoshi of the Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration at our university.

Under the overarching theme, "Addressing Common Challenges Between Japan and ROK from the Perspective of the SDGs," participants engaged in cross-border team activities. Through special lectures, workshops provided jointly with the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations and Korea Foundation, KCC visits, and immersive Tokyo sightseeing missions facilitated by collaborations among academia, industry, and government. Therefore, students could develop and present creative ideas and solutions to pressing societal issues.

The ultimate goal of the CCPP was to cultivate "global talent" capable of understanding diverse cultures and adapting to varying cultural contexts. By fostering flexible thinking and action, the initiative aims to nurture individuals who can thrive in the global society, bridging differences in values and perspectives. Through joint international learning experiences, participants embarked on an exploratory journey to find answers to their questions, contributing to social impact and creating new value in the process.

This program was conceptualized and organized by students and doctors together, including Assistant Professor SHIN Jeong Eun (Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences), Assistant Professor AKIYAMA Hajime (Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences), Assistant Professor LEE Geonsil (Division of Student Welfare, Department of Student Affairs), and Mr. HOZUMI Norihito (Bachelor Student, College of Social Sciences, School of Social and International Studies).

Mr. HOZUMI Norihito who was the Planner and Operation Manager, expressed for the university's education-supportive system, stating,

"Deeply thankful for the opportunity to take on challenges and gain profound learning experiences at this university".

In addition, he also said that

"Our mission is to establish a new paradigm of international exchange through CCPP and that he aims to contribute to a world where trust and cooperation among citizens of the world are flourishing by expanding knowledge and technology to other countries and regions cultivated through the exchange between Japan and ROK".

This program garnered significant attention, with the report published on the website of the ROK Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and also extensive coverage in major Korean media outlets.

Official Recap Movie