Hello everyone. My name is Ayane Ito, and I am currently spending a year studying in New Zealand.

It has been about four months since I started my life here, and living in a foreign country has gradually become part of my everyday routine. While Japan is probably entering the hottest time of the year, New Zealand is heading into the middle of winter. Whenever I talk with my friends back home, we always end up realizing how opposite our seasons are. Every time it happens, I am reminded of how far away I am from Japan. At the same time, it makes me realize that no matter how much my daily life changes, I am still very attached to my home country.

In this ICT Journal, I would like to share one of my memorable experiences during my study abroad program: my involvement with OJSA. OJSA, or the Otago Japanese Students' Association, is a student organization at the University of Otago in Dunedin. The association regularly organizes events related to Japanese culture. I joined an OJSA skating event after being invited by a friend. OJSA members include Japanese students, local people, and others who are interested in Japanese culture. Anyone can participate by paying a small fee, so I would definitely recommend it to future ICT students. It provides a great opportunity to speak English, and above all, the events are a lot of fun. If you search for OJSA on Instagram, you should be able to find more information.

Among the events I joined, the most memorable was a viewing event for the soccer match between Japan and Tunisia. By a lucky coincidence, the president of OJSA invited me to help organize the event. Together with my classmates, Kotori and Madoka, I became part of the organizing team. We spent a lot of time discussing ways to attract participants and make the event enjoyable. After promoting it through social media and distributing flyers, we were happy to welcome around 90 people to the event.

My role was to create a presentation and a short video introducing the Japanese national team. On the day of the event, I gave the presentation together with my two classmates and the OJSA president. I had never given a presentation in English in front of such a large audience before, so I was extremely nervous. However, the atmosphere was lively, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. In the end, I was glad that I challenged myself and stepped outside my comfort zone. To make the day even better, Japan won the match by a large margin, allowing the event to end on a high note.

Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have met so many wonderful people during my time in New Zealand. The members of OJSA, my friends, my host family, and even people I happened to meet around town have all helped make my study abroad experience meaningful and enjoyable. Even when I am simply walking through Dunedin, people often greet me or start conversations, which reminds me how wonderful it is to connect with others. Recently, I have also noticed a change in myself. English, which I used to think about constantly, is gradually becoming something more natural. I can communicate more comfortably than before, and that is one of the things I am happiest about.

My study abroad journey is only halfway finished. Living in an unfamiliar place can be challenging, but it has brought me far more exciting discoveries than difficulties. I am looking forward to seeing what experiences await me in the months ahead, although I still have a little bit of anxiety as well.

I hope that my experience will be helpful for those who plan to come to New Zealand in the future.

Greetings from New Zealand,
Ayane Ito

Hello! I’m Rintaro Kamoshita, a fourth-year student at the Kanazawa campus, also known as the “walking speaker.” Recently, I’ve expanded my range of activities all the way to Akihabara, where I performed my signature talk-style comedy routines with the electric town as my backdrop.

▶ AKIBA Re-ROBO FESS 2026 Participation Report

Lately, I’ve been focusing mostly on radio activities, so I’d really appreciate it if you could check those out as well. For more details, please visit our X (formerly Twitter) page via the link below:

▶ After-School Lounge at ICT

Now, that was quite a long introduction, but today I’d like to introduce an event I recently hosted: the “Returnee Presentations: Otago Polytechnic Study Abroad Program 2025.”

This event was an opportunity for all fourth-year students who had studied abroad in New Zealand for a year to share their experiences. They presented their memories, lessons learned, and advice for future students to parents and first and second-year students living in the dormitory in Hakusanroku Campus. The event was held on Wednesday, May 20, at the Kanazawa campus in a hybrid format, both in person and online.

During the presentations, students covered a wide variety of topics, including delicious food in New Zealand, fun travel destinations, the charm of animals such as sheep, and the beauty of the country’s vast natural landscapes. Among them, my personal favorite presentation was by a friend who introduced a Korean restaurant in New Zealand, which got a big laugh from the audience.

All presentations were delivered in English, showcasing the students’ improved language skills after their time abroad. Many of them had made remarkable progress in pronunciation, and listening to them again, I was genuinely surprised by how much everyone had grown. Some students even seemed to slip into a New Zealand accent during their presentations, which added to the atmosphere and made the event enjoyable from start to finish.

Through this event, we were able to share the journey of our one-year study abroad experience with younger students who will carry the future forward. It was truly a meaningful and rewarding time.

P.S. “Walking speaker”… that’s basically just a Walkman, isn’t it?

Rintaro Kamoshita

　

Hello, this is Michihiro Hayashi, advisor of the Design & Fabrication Club.

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, we participated in AKIBA Re-ROBO FESS 2026, held in Akihabara, Tokyo.

This event was organized for the first time by Akiba Tech Connect. It was created with the vision of forming a “chaotic space of technology” in Akihabara—the sacred place of hands-on manufacturing and technology—where people can freely connect and interact through technology. The event aimed to bring together participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including large corporations, startups, small and medium-sized companies, and academic institutions.

At the booth of the International College of Technology, Kanazawa, we introduced our school and the activities of the Design & Fabrication Club. Since the venue was located in the center of Akihabara and the event was held on a Saturday, there were many visitors and the venue was very lively. During the event, we gave presentations about KOSEN education and the unique initiatives of ICT.

We also realized that KOSEN is still not widely recognized among the general public, and some visitors asked us, “What is KOSEN?” On the other hand, among people involved in robotics and drone technologies, KOSEN is already well known. We strongly felt that students educated at KOSEN are highly valued as practical engineers and future leaders in the field.

In addition to exhibition booths, the event also featured a performance stage where we demonstrated our robot. The robot we brought was “Kobako Club,” which competed in the National KOSEN Robocon Competition in 2025.

During the demonstration, the robot carried gates made of stacked cardboard boxes and pulled a cart carrying a person. After the demonstration by our students, children visiting the venue were invited to ride on the cart, and the robot pulled them around the stage.

The children wore slightly oversized helmets and experienced being pulled by a robot while holding onto the cart—something most of them were probably experiencing for the first time. At first, some of them looked nervous, but by the end they were smiling and saying, “That was fun!”

Even after the stage performance ended, many children came to our exhibition booth to see the robot more closely. They touched the robot, looked inside its mechanisms, and asked many questions to the students in charge of explanations.

We believe this experience was valuable not only for children who may become future KOSEN students, but also for our own students.

Design & Fabrication Club
Advisor: Michihiro Hayashi

Hello, this is Alaa Hussien from Egypt. I am a professor in the Department of Science and Technology at ICT. I am writing this article to highlight the contributions of ICT in supporting the establishment of the Egypt–Japan KOSEN (EJ-KOSEN), the first KOSEN institution not only in the Middle East but also in Africa. It was officially launched in June 2024 as a development cooperation project between the Government of Japan, represented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Egyptian partners include the Educational Development Fund (EDF) as the implementing agency, along with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE). The overall goal of the project is to introduce the KOSEN education system in Egypt as a new model of higher education. The project specifically aims to ensure that the pilot KOSEN operates effectively using a curriculum translated and adapted from the KOSEN Model Core Curriculum, with the objective of achieving KOSEN International Standard (KIS) accreditation, thereby assuring the quality of Japanese-style KOSEN education.

In Egypt, engineering education has traditionally been delivered through two main pathways, each with distinct limitations. University education primarily emphasizes theoretical knowledge, with relatively limited focus on practical skills and minimal connection to industry. As a result, graduates often possess strong theoretical backgrounds but lack real-world problem-solving abilities and hands-on experience. On the other hand, technical and vocational schools focus mainly on the operation of machinery. Graduates from these institutions are typically skilled in operating equipment but have a limited understanding of underlying principles, design processes, or the development of technology. In the last few years, the environment has been shifting toward advanced technological and experiential educations by establishing many technological universities and developing various cooperation programs with successful existing educational systems around the world.

One of these systems is the KOSEN model in Japan, where this model integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application through a well-balanced and industry-oriented curriculum. By incorporating project-based, problem-based, and inquiry-based learning approaches, KOSEN education enables students to develop both analytical thinking and hands-on skills. Furthermore, its strong emphasis on collaboration with industry ensures that students gain exposure to real-world challenges, thereby fostering innovation, design capability, and practical problem-solving skills. In this way, the KOSEN model offers a comprehensive solution that bridges the divide between theory and practice in engineering education in Egypt.

The idea of introducing KOSEN education in Egypt can be traced back to 2016, following the official visit of the President of Egypt to Japan. During this visit, he toured various educational institutions, including kindergartens, elementary schools, and KOSEN colleges, where he was particularly impressed by the KOSEN system as it emphasizes the development of engineers who possess not only operational skills but also strong foundations in design, innovation, and problem-solving. Following this visit, the Egyptian government requested support from the Japanese government to introduce this educational model in Egypt. The project was implemented through JICA, which dispatched Japanese experts from various KOSEN institutions, including myself and Nagwa Fekri Rashed Sensei. Our involvement was particularly relevant as our International College of Technology (ICT) is unique in Japan in delivering education primarily in English, closely aligning with the educational context in the EJ-KOSEN, where instruction is also conducted in English. These Japanese experts have been collaborating closely with the Egyptian team from the Educational Development Fund (EDF), the JICA project management staff, and the newly appointed faculty and staff at EJ-KOSEN.

As a professor at ICT, my role, along with other Japan-side experts—including Nagwa Fekri Rashed Sensei—has extended beyond curriculum support to encompass contributions to the formulation of the school’s vision and the development of key institutional policies. In particular, we have played a central role in designing the diploma policy, the curriculum policy, and the admission policy. In addition, we have supported the design of STEM curricula, have participated in the recruitment and selection of faculty members, have assisted in student admissions processes, and have contributed to the development of entrance examinations and admission procedures.

Prior to the official opening, we conducted an intensive three-week training program in Egypt in August 2025 for newly recruited faculty members. This training introduced the philosophy and structure of KOSEN education, including the KOSEN International Standard (KIS) framework, as well as modern teaching methodologies such as project-based, problem-based, and inquiry-based learning. We also provided guidance on the development and refinement of teaching materials. During that period, we played an active role in the admission process by participating in student interviews and contributing to the selection of the first intake of EJ-KOSEN freshmen. After the program’s launch, our responsibilities expanded to include continuous academic support, follow-up, and professional development for faculty members.

In late January 2026, staff and faculty members from the EJ-KOSEN came to Japan to visit several KOSEN institutions, including Osaka KOSEN, Ishikawa KOSEN, and our International College of Technology in Kanazawa, for further training. During their visit, they explored our two campuses facilities, observed the integration between the college and its parent institution, the Kanazawa Institute of Technology, and participated in a series of intensive workshops. These workshops were designed to provide detailed feedback on all aspects of the first-semester academic program, including lecture notes, experiments, practical applications, worksheets, and final examinations. We also focused on assessment strategies, covering formative assessment, portfolio-based assessment, and the use of rubrics to ensure clarity, consistency, and transparency. In addition, I delivered a presentation on project-based learning, addressing implementation strategies, evaluation criteria, transparency in assessment, and evidence-based evaluation. These sessions aimed to strengthen the pedagogical skills of the Egyptian faculty and ensure that the EJ-KOSEN program maintains high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment aligned with the KOSEN International Standard.

Through these strong and growing collaborations, the Egypt–Japan KOSEN project is well positioned to build a sustainable, high-quality model of engineering education in Egypt—one that not only meets international standards but also directly addresses the pressing challenges facing society in Egypt and the evolving needs of its industry. As an Egyptian, I am truly excited to witness the continued success of this initiative and confident that it will nurture a new generation of engineers who are capable, innovative, and committed to solving real-world problems and contribute to Egypt’s sustainable development.

Alaa Hussien

Hello! This is Akira Azuma from the 2nd year student. It’s been quite a while since this happened so it may feel a bit off-season, but I would like to talk about my activities over spring vacation. I may only hope you give this article a read and find yourself enjoying it.
This spring break, I was allowed the chance to go see Antarctica by my fearless mother. What comes to mind when you hear “Antarctica”? An unexplored land? The southernmost edge of the world where extreme cold has swallowed countless adventurers and expeditions? At the very least, it’s not somewhere you’d casually decide to visit during spring break. In fact, many people might think it’s too dangerous for anyone except professional explorers. I used to think that too. But surprisingly, traveling to Antarctica is much easier than you may expect. Of course, it’s still more difficult when compared with visiting other places, but Antarctic and Arctic tourism actually exists as a proper industry, which was quite surprising. You don’t have to belong to a university research team or anything like that. I remember being unable to keep myself from questioning my mother’s sanity for a while. 

Given the nature of the Antarctic land, you can’t explore the deep interior like the researchers stationed there, but even so, there’s a wide range of things you can do—visiting islands around the Antarctic coast or even briefly landing on the continent itself. Some companies offer rather dull plans where you just stay on a cruise ship and look at Antarctica from nearby waters, but the company we used—QUARK expeditions—provided us with many extraordinary experiences. We jumped into the freezing Antarctic sea, saw whales and penguins up close, went canoeing, and did many other activities. In this piece, I’d like to introduce some of those experiences. 

The most memorable part of my trip was definitely seeing whales. When people say they’ve seen whales at sea, you usually imagine spotting them blowing water from a sightseeing boat. But whales are actually very curious creatures, and they often came toward us instead. We rode small inflatable boats to observe them, which may have contributed to their curiosity—but even so, they approached us and encircled us the entire time we were out there. I just realized, but that kind of sounds like they were trying to intimidate us, but they never contacted the boat, so I think I’ll believe that they were simply curious about our unusual presence.

We had several opportunities to observe these adorable whales. There were various kinds. One particularly memorable whale was a baby whale, playing around its sleeping mother. It was very curious, swimming up to us and playfully slapping its tail on the surface to splash water. It was so amusing and adorable. The funny thing was that our guide lamented the most when it was time for us to return to the ship. I guess the experience stays the same no matter how many times you see whales up close.

In another encounter, we had two whales approach us so close that I felt I could touch them if I reached out. I probably could have. It was one of the most mystical experiences I’ve had in my life. Being surrounded by icebergs while whales spouted water so close by was an entirely different kind of awe-inspiring experience compared to seeing whales in an aquarium.

For my in-ship experiences, when we weren’t out exploring, we were given lectures aboard the ship about the Antarctic explorers, glacier movement, and various other topics. We also learned about the wildlife we encountered that day, —the species and their characteristics—covering a wide range of subjects related to Antarctica.

So far, I’ve mainly talked about whales, but of course, they weren’t the only animals we saw. We also encountered many penguins and seals. I mean, this is Antarctica, going on a trip here and not seeing any penguins is like sandwiches without bread. Unlike in aquariums, the seals gave off a much more predatory and ferocious impression, probably because we saw them hunting penguins. When they catch one, they started to toss it into the air and play with it. To call this experience unsettling would be an understatement, those adorable bounce bags were absolutely owning the penguins.

The penguins, on the other hand, were absolutely adorable—no complaints there. Especially the younger ones, around a year old, those guys are very curious. Some of them were fascinated by the stakes placed to mark the point where we shouldn’t tread past, and started pecking at them eagerly—it was incredibly cute.

This is the little one, by the way. Yes—absolutely adorable.

There were also penguins that were blankly staring at each other’s face. Watching them just staring blankly was oddly therapeutic to see.

In addition to wildlife, Antarctica also offered us breathtaking scenery. My personal favorite was Deception Island, which is a volcanic island. What made the island so special is that about 10,000 years ago, a volcanic eruption formed a caldera, giving it a horseshoe shape. The volcano is still very active, and the geothermal heat creates hot springs. In other words, it’s like Sakurajima in Antarctica. There were also ruins of an old whaling station which was later converted into a British research base. Depending on the time of day, geothermal steam rises in large amounts, creating an incredibly surreal, almost otherworldly landscape. 

It felt like something straight out of Silent Hill. Penguins and seals were active even in this eerie environment. In the distance, there was what looked like a storage facility for whale oil, and even further back on the left—though hard to see—there is an aircraft hangar that waIt felt like something straight out of Silent Hill. Penguins and seals were active even in this eerie enviros used for weather observation. Along the coast, various objects were scattered around, including a partially buried vehicle with only the hood, handles, and part of the front seat sticking out. Freaky. It truly felt like stepping into another world. 

There were even remnants of penguins that had been eaten—honestly, a bit gruesome. And if that wasn’t odd enough, there was also an airplane wreck. It looked like it was straight out from a movie.

It reminded me just how incredibly difficult it must have been to explore Antarctica. Meanwhile, the seals in this picture were just fighting each other next to these wrecks, completely ignoring them, was quite the spectacle to see.

On the way back, we crossed the Drake Passage, known as one of the roughest seas in the world. I had braced myself for the worst, but surprisingly, it was quite calm—or at least calmer than expected. That said, the ship still rocked like a mild roller coaster, and I felt a little seasick despite normally never getting motion sickness. The crew were surprised; relieved would be the word most fitting. So, I asked them if it was usually that bad. They showed me a video from last year’s voyage. Yes, it was THAT bad. Compared to the video from last year— where no one was even able stand or move at all, and objects flying everywhere—it was relatively tame, you could move around as you wished, but it still was not exactly calm. Seeing videos from that voyage was honestly terrifying. Especially if you count the fact that it took us around 2 days to cross the passage. We were just happy that our kitchen was even able to function during the duration after seeing the video.

This return journey made me deeply appreciate the explorers of the 1800s, who crossed the Drake Passage in far worse conditions aboard wooden ships, with little hope of assistance, and still managed to reach the South Pole. I can only feel immense respect for their courage.

I guess that sums up my Antarctic spring break. There were many other experiences too—canoeing, spotting wild orcas, diving into icy waters—but I’ll stop here before this gets too long. It was truly an invaluable experience. I don’t think I want to cross the Drake passage again though.

Akira Azuma