Kyushu University Summer Course 2026 concludes successfully

From July 6 to July 17, 2026, Kyushu University conducted a pilot offering of its new Summer Course at the Ito Campus, led by the International Education Navigation Center (iNavi).

The program welcomed 20 students from two partner universities, including National University of Singapore and National Taiwan University. The program featured a two-week intensive curriculum built around three courses — Robotics, Entrepreneurship, and Energy. These courses were offered by three of the university's leading research and education organizations and centers: the Institute for Asia and Oceanian Studies (Q-AOS), the Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center (QREC), and the Global Network Project to Promote Study in Japan for the Middle East & North Africa (J-MENA). One participant shared, "Over the two weeks, I made so many discoveries about Fukuoka and the cutting-edge research being conducted at Kyushu University. The professors were passionate and highly specialized in their fields — it was a truly memorable experience."

In the Robotics course offered by Q-AOS, students learned about the development of robotics in Japan, while examining challenges facing Asia in healthcare, the natural environment, industry, and aging societies. Working in teams, students drew on what they had learned to design their own robotics-based solutions and presented their proposals.

Students who took part in the visit to the Yaskawa Innovation Center that followed the lectures reflected, "The factory visit really opened my eyes to how advanced robotics is in Japan.

In the Energy course offered by J-MENA, faculty from across Kyushu University delivered multidisciplinary lectures on topics such as Japan's energy policy, hydrogen energy, decarbonization technologies, and the decarbonization of urban buildings — giving students a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of energy and sustainability. Students also visited the Next-Generation Fuel Cell Industry-Academia Collaborative Research Center (NEXT^FC) and research facilities on Chikushi Campus, an opportunity to see how concepts introduced in the lectures are applied in real research settings.

The entrepreneurship course offered by QREC began with an Entrepreneurship Bootcamp that discussed business plans with Kyushu University students and continued with visits to local startups supported by Kyushu University's Open Innovation Platform (OIP). Through this co-learning, students refined their own ideas and put them to the test with elevator pitches at CIC Fukuoka, located in the ONE FUKUOKA BLDG in Tenjin, in front of entrepreneurs and the public. It was a hands-on opportunity to apply what they had learned through lectures and company visits, and participants came away with a strong sense of accomplishment.

Cultural exchange sessions with Kyushu University students on themes such as taiko drumming, Japanese tea club meeting, idol dance, and manga were also held in collaboration with the university's student clubs. Several students rose before dawn to watch one of Fukuoka’s most famous traditional festivals, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa— an experience one described as "the most memorable part of the program, watching the participants carry the Kakiyama festival floats through the streets.

The courses offered were all designated as credit-bearing subjects of the International Student Center, and participating students were awarded academic credit.

Building on the success of this pilot program, Kyushu University plans to further develop the Summer Course and prepare for future offerings.

Contact

International Student Exchange Division, International Affairs Department
Mail: intlrtan★jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Please replace ★ with @