Hello. I am Masaaki Shikada, ICT President.
On Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, I helped with the planting of Beni Haruka sweet potato seedlings as part of Engineering Design II (2nd year students), marking my fourth year participating in this activity. While the previous three years were all blessed with fine weather, unfortunately this year we had rain.
I was also pleased to see that, because of the large number of 2nd year students, Kodaka sensei requested that each student plant approximately 10 to 15 seedlings. In the first year (three years ago), one person planted an entire row of the nursery bed alone. Although we had rain this time, the work progressed smoothly thanks to the larger number of students, and the planting was completed in about 50 minutes.
I left shortly after the seedling planting was finished, but the installation of the electric fence also appeared to be proceeding without any problems. In sunny weather, watering is necessary immediately after planting; however, this year the rain provided natural watering, which seemed to save time as well. I hope, once again this year, that the seedings will grow well. I would also like to take part in the harvest in autumn.
As is customary, an Open Campus will be held at the Hakusanroku Campus on Saturday, November 7th, and Sunday, November 8th. To coincide with this event, roasted sweet potatoes are scheduled to be sold at the Sena Roadside Station. If you have time, please consider stopping by the Sena Roadside Station on either of those days.

Thursday, April 16th, 2026
Soil preparation and digging rows for planting.

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
Planting Beinharuka soil and ridges for planting Beniharuka seedlings.

Thursday, May 7th, 2024
Electric fence installed around fields to prevent monkeys from entering.

Masaaki Shikada

Hello, my name is Domyson Abuan, and on behalf of the Learning Mentor team, we would like to reintroduce you to Hakusanroku Campus’ Learning Session (LS).

LS is an evening learning time held every weeknight from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Living Commons and the Library & Work Commons on ICT Hakusanroku Campus. During LS, students work on classwork, homework, projects, and language skill development. Faculty members called Learning Mentors are always present to support, guide, and help when needed. Students are also encouraged to use English as much as possible during LS to improve their communication skills in a natural and supportive environment, especially because they will study abroad in New Zealand in their 3rd year.

Over the past years, we have seen wonderful growth in how students use Learning Session time. Many students describe our learning atmosphere as a cozy, welcoming study space that is almost like a cafe. With wooden floors, warm lighting, Hakusanroku wood furniture, and tables designed for collaboration, the space naturally encourages focus and shared learning. We often see students quietly working on their own tasks, asking for help, and confidently sharing what they know with others.

Because of these positive habits, we decided to name and strengthen this culture through our new Learning Session Mindset, called “Cozy Productivity.”

Our Learning Sessions are guided by three key principles.

① I Sustain My Pace

During LS, students are encouraged to work at their own rhythm. Everyone learns differently, and that difference is respected. Students are reminded to stay calm, focus on their own goals, and keep moving forward step by step without feeling pressured by others’ pace. This practice teaches them self-management and consistency by learning how to pace oneself and continue even when progress feels slow.

② Each One, Teach One

Learning becomes stronger when it is shared. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explain ideas, and help one another. Teaching a friend is one of the best ways to deepen understanding and build confidence. Asking for help from Learning Mentors or classmates is always encouraged, whether it is about academics, English practice, or sharing ideas. By learning how to explain ideas clearly and work well with others, they strengthen their skills on communication and collaboration.

③ We Finish with Intention

Learning Session despite being cozy, is also a time for focused effort. Students are encouraged to use this time wisely and take responsibility for their learning. Finishing work with intention adds positive energy to the room and helps create a productive learning environment for everyone. Of course, students are also encouraged to take short breaks so they can reset their focus. Learning how to commit to tasks and complete them with care and purpose teaches them responsibility.

Ultimately, the Learning Mentor team hopes that these guiding principles will become core values for our students. These are important life skills that students can carry with them not only when studying abroad, but also as more independent learners at the Kanazawa Campus, and later as young professionals and global innovators. Learning Session is not just about finishing homework. It is about learning how to learn, how to support others, and how to grow with intention.

Domyson Abuan

Hello. This is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku office. At ICT, we welcomed 23 new students, who now appear to be settling into their new campus life. This time, I would like to write about the icebreaker events jointly held on Wednesday, April 1st and Thursday, April 2nd, 2026.

After the entrance ceremony on Wednesday, April 1st, an icebreaker event for 1st and 2nd year students was held at the Hakusanroku campus. The event began with a Rock-Paper-Scissors Self-Introduction Game. Students played rock-paper-scissors with those around them, and the winner earned one point before introducing themselves to each other. Although many students appeared nervous at first, smiles gradually began to appear as they enjoyed the game. As they celebrated wins and lamented losses, the students were able to interact with many classmates in a short amount of time, and the venue was soon filled with a warm and friendly atmosphere. At the end of the game, medals were awarded to the two students who earned the highest number of points.

Next, a game focused on finding common interests was held. Students wrote down information such as their hobbies, hometowns, favorite foods, and special skills on pieces of paper. The learning mentors collected the papers and read the contents aloud one by one. When students found that they shared something in common with what was read, they quickly took a seat, similar to a game of musical chairs. The responses included items such as “I am from California,” “I like video games,” and “I enjoy listening to music,” as well as humorous entries like “I am a cat,” which prompted bursts of laughter throughout the activity.

 

On Thursday, April 2nd, an icebreaker event for 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th year students, organized by the Student Council, was held at Kanazawa Campus. Students were divided into mixed-grade teams and began by introducing themselves to get to know one another. After that, each team took part in a Puzzle-Solving Game. Faculty members and representatives from the Student Council were stationed in various classrooms, and each team explored the campus to locate them. At each location, a variety of missions such as quizzes and gesture-based games were prepared, and teams earned points by completing the challenges successfully. As the students worked together to solve the quizzes and finish the missions, they could be seen actively discussing and cooperating, gradually deepening their friendships. 

This icebreaker event provided a valuable opportunity for interaction across different grade levels and served as a positive start to student life in the new academic year.

Yuri Makada

Hello. This is Kasumi Ozawa from Kanazawa Campus. Recently, I accompanied 11 third-year students as they began a year of study and life in Dunedin, New Zealand. In this article, I reflect on the students’ first few days as they settled into life in Dunedin.

On April 9, the students departed from Narita Airport. They appeared calm at times and nervous at others, but they all shared a strong sense of anticipation.　As they boarded NZ90, they left behind their familiar routines and stepped into a new environment that would challenge them academically and personally.　After traveling through Auckland, we arrived in Dunedin the following day. The city greeted us with clear skies, crisp air, and a slower pace of life. Located on the southeastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Dunedin is a university town known for its rich natural surroundings, history, and strong academic culture.

Although the long journey had been tiring, the moment the students met their host families, their tension eased. Warm greetings, simple conversations, and welcoming smiles set the tone for what lay ahead. At that moment, we realized that the experience was no longer simply a study program but the start of everyday life in a new country.

The students will be studying at Otago Polytechnic, an institution that has a long-standing partnership with our school of over two decades. With its strong emphasis on applied and professional education, Otago Polytechnic provides learning that is closely connected to society and industry. With the solid foundation they have built at the Hakusanroku Campus, studying engineering in English provides each student with a valuable opportunity to expand their own potential.
The first weekend was spent with host families, giving students their first genuine experience of daily life in New Zealand. Adjusting to unfamiliar customs and communicating in English was not always easy, yet these challenges gradually helped build confidence. Everyday moments such as shared meals, casual conversations, and daily routines slowly transformed initial anxiety into curiosity and motivation.

The following Monday marked the beginning of a two-week orientation program called “Global Studies”. Through this program, students learned about academic expectations, cultural values, and the practical aspects of living in New Zealand. As their understanding deepened, so did their sense of readiness. They began approaching their new lives not as short-term visitors, but as residents responsible for their own decisions.
One particularly memorable event was the traditional Māori welcome ceremony hosted by Otago Polytechnic. Through a heartfelt speech and a song performed by faculty and staff, the students were warmly welcomed not only to the campus, but also to the land and its history. In response, Kotori Mae delivered a speech on behalf of our school, followed by a group song performance of “Himawari no Yakusoku”. Using the image of sunflowers facing the sun, the song expresses unwavering care, friendship, and lasting bonds that transcend time and distance. The students chose this song themselves, believing its message truly reflected the spirit of the occasion. As the students sang together, their voices filled the space and created a sense of mutual understanding that went beyond language.

Afterwards, the students joined a campus tour and visited various facilities across the campus. During their visit to the sports facility “Unipol”, they were impressed by the extensive and well-equipped facilities, and many expressed their eagerness to begin using them. For our students, Unipol is not only a place for physical fitness, but also an important space for interaction with local students. At the library, they observed many learners studying quietly and with strong concentration. Seeing this dedicated atmosphere appeared to inspire them and gave them a clearer sense of the academic environment they would soon be part of. Experiencing these facilities firsthand, the students felt their excitement grow about studying and living in such a supportive environment. It was a moment when they truly sensed that their time in Dunedin was beginning not only as a period of learning, but as daily life itself.

That afternoon, the students took an important step toward daily life in New Zealand by opening local bank accounts. Holding their debit cards, some spoke about the need to value and carefully manage the financial support they receive from their families. The experience highlighted that studying abroad is a time when students are warmly supported by others, while at the same time being guided toward independence in their own lives.

In conversations with the students, one shared, “I couldn’t be here without my family’s support. I want to make the most of every single day and honor the trust they have placed in me.” Another reflected with a smile, “Dunedin feels calm and comfortable, not too busy. I think I will really enjoy living here.”

The year ahead will be shaped by the choices the students make, the challenges they face, and the people they meet. Through these experiences, each student will discover their own path and return home with a stronger sense of confidence and perspective.

Through this ICT Journal, we will continue to share their journey. We hope you will follow along as these students grow, learn, and find their place in New Zealand.

Kasumi Ozawa

Hello. I’m Masaaki Shikada, ICT President.

As has become an annual tradition, I delivered the President’s Lecture again this year. The address for 1st and 2nd students was held on the afternoon of Friday, April 3rd, 2026 at Hakusanroku Campus, while the address for 4th and 5th year students took place on the morning of Tuesday, April 7th, at Kanazawa Campus. When I was appointed the Vice President of ICT, I heard that the President’s Lecture is traditionally given during the April orientation period each year.

I then began to wonder what I should talk about in my lecture. After giving it some thought, I decided that it would be best to explain my field of expertise—Spatial Information Technology—in an easy-to-understand way. Accordingly, I chose to base my talk on my past research and classes (Surveying), linking them to well-known historical figures and events so that the content would be both accessible and engaging.

In my first year, I gave the same talk to students of all grades (excluding 3rd year students). After the 1st year, however, I gradually added new material as students advanced through the grades. As a result, the four themes of my lectures have been organized as follows.
(Note: this full sequence by grade level will be completed in the 2027 academic year)

　1st year students: The Ten Most Beautiful Scientific Experiments in the World
　2nd year students: Maps Are Liars
　4th year students: Struve’s Geodetic Arc
　5th year students: Ino Tadataka and the Record of Points

In every lecture, I include quizzes so that students can enjoy active learning while having fun. In the themes for 4th and 5th year students, I also introduce related films and television programs. Through these four lectures, I hope that students will come to enjoy and appreciate the world of Spatial Information Technology.

Masaaki Shikada