Kyushu University hosts University of Queensland students for three-week industry experience program

From June 27 to July 18, 2025, the School of Engineering at Kyushu University welcomed 22 students from the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, for the University of Queensland–Japan Program for Industry Experience (UQ-JPIE).

This short-term exchange program, now in its eighth iteration, began in the academic year 2017 as a core initiative between Kyushu University and UQ. For the first time, this year’s program was extended from two weeks to three weeks.

During their stay, the UQ students attended specialized lectures by faculty members from Kyushu University and toured cutting-edge research facilities. They also experienced various aspects of Japanese culture, including Japanese language lessons, business etiquette, calligraphy, and the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival. Through multiple company visits, the students gained a deeper understanding of how the theories and technologies they have studied are applied in real-world settings.

A unique feature of the program is the “buddy” system, in which each UQ student is paired with a Kyushu University student to promote cross-cultural exchange. In a new addition to the program, the group also participated in a two-day, one-night retreat at the Kyushu University Kokonoe Joint Training Center and Mountain House in Oita Prefecture, further strengthening the bonds between participants.