虎扑电竞

Tohoku University has welcomed 20 new international undergraduates representing 11 countries, to the Future Global Leadership (FGL) programme. The entrance ceremony was held at Kawauchi campus on September 27.

The FGL programme offers three degree courses taught entirely in English. Among the 20 new students this year, four are in the advanced molecular chemistry programme (AMC), 12 in the international mechanical and aerospace engineering programme (IMAC-U) and four in applied marine biology (AMB).

In his welcome speech, Executive Vice President for Education and Student Support Hirotsugu Takizawa spoke briefly about the government's Universities for International 虎扑电竞 Excellence initiative, aimed at enhancing the research capabilities of Japan's top institutions. He also touched on Tohoku University's plans for increased global readiness.

"The world now faces numerous challenges, as is apparent from the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, he said. "Expansive knowledge and an understanding of different perspectives will be crucial to finding solutions to these issues."

Takizawa then urged the students to embrace new experiences in and out of the classroom. "At our university, you can study alongside students and researchers with diverse backgrounds. And through exposure to different cultures and values you can develop different perspectives and foster greater creative thinking skills," he said. "We hope you will use Tohoku University as a springboard to achieve great personal growth."

To prepare for the programme, the FGL students attended a pre-enrollment online course over the summer. They had Japanese language lessons and worked on special assignments meant to review their level of knowledge within the various STEM subjects. It also gave the students a chance to get to know each other.

In his speech on behalf of the AMC students, Nguyen Minh Hoang, said he was initially nervous about leaving Vietnam for Japan, but was reassured by the support he found in the pre-enrollment classes. "The professors and student leaders were very helpful, and my classmates were friendly," he said. "I am optimistic that we will have a great time here in Sendai."

He added that studying in a foreign country with a different language and culture might prove challenging at times, but he knows that help is always close by. "We are not alone," he said, "because I believe this is more than a university, it's a community."

Mateo Rafe Winarta, who spoke on behalf of the IMAC-U students, shared the anecdote that he had spent his entire student life in one school in Indonesia. "I have come a long way to get to this place, both figuratively and literally," he said.

He too spoke about feeling a sense of community within the FGL programme. "I find it fascinating that we all have different experiences, backgrounds and struggles, yet we have come from all corners of the world to be in this one place today, to continue our education and pursue our dreams." He added that Tohoku University "is a place for us to support each other, build life-long relationships, but most importantly, it's a place for us to grow."

Chinese student Liu Xinyi then spoke on behalf of those on the AMB course. She described Tohoku University as a connector, one that brings together students from diverse backgrounds, uniting them in shared experiences and learning. The university, she said, is also a connection to knowledge and "eternal truths," particularly through the study of natural sciences; and is a microcosm of Earth itself.

"Here we meet students from everywhere around the world. And although we celebrate different festivals and believe in different religions, we are all fighting for the same future, for love and peace and a better world."

Over the next four years, the FGL students will not only study within their chosen courses, but will also have the opportunity to take classes with Japanese students in intercultural collaborative learning environments.

Tohoku University's popular exchange programmes attract hundreds of students each year from partner universities around the world. For more information about the FGL programme and other exchange opportunities, please visit:
https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/degree/undergraduate-english/