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. 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

Hello, this is Sharmee Abuan, one of the Learning Mentors at ICT Hakusanroku Campus. As the Academic Year 2025–2026 comes to an end, I find myself looking back on our Optional Friday Learning Sessions.

Those Fridays felt a little different from our regular Learning Sessions. They gave us extra space to focus on skills that we did not always have time to cover and allowed students to grow in ways that supported both their academic work and personal development. Our workshops this year had three main parts. 

First, Self-Development Workshops. At the start of the year, we focused on simple but important habits like organization, note-taking, and time management. I still remember students bringing folders filled with loose papers to the first organization workshop, where we spent the evening sorting, arranging, and setting things up properly. It was a very simple activity, but it made a real difference. When we noticed that some students were struggling to submit assignments on time, we held a Time Management workshop. We talked about planning their week and breaking big tasks into smaller steps. The progress was quiet but steady. Slowly, some students seemed lighter and more in control. It became less about chasing deadlines and more about learning how to manage their time and responsibilities. 

Second, is a Fun Review-Game Workshops. As the months went by, our Fridays became more exciting. We had workshops like The Secret Billionaire, the $10,000 Tournament, and A Stairway Challenge. Students practiced STEAM ideas through games and challenges. Each workshop was full of laughter, problem-solving, and teamwork. It was nice to see students apply what they learned in class in such a natural and fun way.

The Secret Billionaire

The $10,000 Tournament

A Stairway Challenge

Lastly, IELTS Workshops. By the second semester, our focus shifted to IELTS preparation, as students were preparing to take the IELTS exam. The atmosphere became quieter and more focused. We practiced speaking, writing, listening, and reading in a safe and encouraging environment so they could feel ready. Over time, the students who attended grew more confident in using English, their hesitation faded and was replaced by a willingness to try.

Looking back, I think what made these optional workshops special was the simple mix of structure and fun. Students kept coming back because they wanted to be there, not because they had to. For me, these Fridays became special moments of growth for both the students and us Learning Mentors.

Sharmee Abuan

Hello. I’m Meguru Ito, the chairperson of the Platinum Festival Executive Committee. I would like to write about the Platinum Festival (Hakkinsai School Festival) held on Sunday, February 22nd, 2026. The content of the festival has also been featured before in Topics, so please take a look there as well.

This year, we welcomed a record high 114 visitors. We had a wonderfully diverse group of attendees, including the families of current students, local elementary and junior high school students, and alumni. It was encouraging to see the recognition of the Platinum Festival steadily growing. I hope to continue developing the event into something even more appealing so that more people can enjoy it in the coming years.

One of the biggest highlights this year was the large number of new projects introduced compared with previous years. For the first time, we held a baked sweet potato sale using Kosen Beni Haruka, as well as a game corner where visitors could try out student made games. Both projects were very well received, based on visitor surveys and student feedback, and they generated a lot of excitement. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the students who worked hard to plan these activities, and to the faculty members who supported them.
In addition, the festival’s traditional main attraction, the on-campus robot contest and the piano performances, where students showcased the results of their practice, were also very successful. On the other hand, it was unfortunate that there were no band performance this year. I hope they will return next year.

Due to the end-of-term examinations being pushed back by one week this year, the preparation period between the exams and the festival was shorter than usual. February’s extracurricular period was also packed with other activities besides the festival, and the students worked on preparations despite being extremely busy. This experience made me realize the importance of establishing a more efficient preparation process going forward.

There were also some last-minute issues, such as members of the executive committee falling ill right before the event, which kept us busy up until the start. However, we were able to bring the festival to a successful close. I hope the students on the committee will carry both the successes and the lessons learned from this experience into their student life next year.

Meguru Ito