Depending on when you are reading this, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, everyone.
My name is Lapananrat Pantawat (Ryu), a 3rd year student currently studying abroad in New Zealand who somehow fell in love with startups.
I say “somehow” because if you were to tell me a few years ago that I would voluntarily stand on a stage and pitch my startup in front of countless people, I probably would have called you crazy.

I am an introvert. Just the thought of standing in front of countless faces makes me nervous, and even today, that feeling never truly goes away.
So, how did I end up doing startups?
To answer that, we have to go back to before I came to ICT.

Before ICT, I had never considered pursuing a career in startups, nor did I have the slightest idea what startups were about. Like many other high school students, I was much more interested in video games and spending time in bed.
That changed after I came to ICT.

Through engineering projects, business programs, competitions, and the support of my teachers and mentors, I gradually discovered something I had never expected. I genuinely enjoyed solving problems and turning strange ideas into something that could potentially help people and, more or less, make me rich. I simply couldn’t get startups out of my head, and honestly, I love it.

Over time, I discovered three principles that continue to guide me today.

The first is simple:

Every idea is an opportunity.

I learned that a good idea does not always appear at the right time. You could be eating, showering, studying, or even sleeping when it comes to your mind. (Mine mostly comes when I’m trying to sleep.) Most of my ideas don’t quite seem like good ideas at first. As a matter of fact, most of them are completely ridiculous. But never once have I dismissed them immediately. Instead, I started asking myself, “What if?”
That question eventually led me to participate in startup competitions and, eventually, to the Kosen Summit.
Before attending the Summit, I only had a handful of pitching experiences, probably two or three at most. Every pitch I gave taught me something different, but they all had one thing in common: they forced me outside my comfort zone.
And then came the Kosen Startup Summit.

The moment I reached the venue, I told myself, “I finally did it.” After spending half a year working on this project, I felt that all the time and effort I had put into it had been worth it, especially since almost everything I experienced there was new to me.

On the first day of the competition, every participant had the opportunity to hang their posters and present their ideas to whoever visited their booth. That evening, there was also a networking event where participants were encouraged to get to know each other and introduce themselves to their competitors. I was really lucky to meet so many people who shared the same passion as me. However, due to my limited Japanese skills, I wasn’t really able to converse with anyone.

The second day was when the real deal took place. This was the day I pitched an idea called Playground. The team scheduled to present before me suddenly ran into a technical issue, forcing me to present ahead of them. It might have sounded like a small change, but it completely caught me off guard. I was thrown out of rhythm, and for the next three minutes, I found myself stumbling over my words.
It was one of the worst experiences of my life.
Honestly, I was disappointed and devastated. I had spent countless hours preparing for this competition. I had met so many new people who shared the same passion as me at the networking event. Yet, everything crumbled on stage. But I never stopped there.

And that leads me to my second principle:

Embrace failure.

I have failed countless times in my life. I have failed exams, struggled to make friends, and even failed to deliver a good pitch.
But one of the biggest lessons I have learned through startups is that failure itself is not necessarily the problem.
The problem is failing to learn from it.
I have always reminded myself that failure is acceptable as long as I learn from it and refuse to make the same mistake twice.
Every time something went wrong, I had a choice. I could either let the experience discourage me, or I could use it to improve. I chose the latter.

That mindset changed the way I approached competitions. Sure, I was still aiming for first prize or a place on the podium, but the other thing I never left out of sight was the experience I could learn from.

My third principle is perhaps the simplest:

Always ask for feedback.

No matter how well you think you have done, there is always something you can improve.
Some of the most valuable lessons I have received did not come from winning competitions. They came from people who watched my presentations, pointed out my weaknesses, challenged my assumptions, and bluntly told me what I could have done better.
At first, hearing criticism can be difficult.
It’s like poking a hot needle into the most sensitive part of your ego.
But without criticism, you wouldn’t know what your weaknesses are or what you need to improve. You would continue living under the illusion that your idea was the best and carry that false confidence onto the stage.
Looking back at how I ended up here, I realize that I did not suddenly become a confident extrovert.
I am still an introvert at heart.
I still get nervous before presentations. I still have moments where I question whether my ideas are good enough. And I still have a lot to learn about entrepreneurship.
But I have become much more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

ICT gave me an environment where having crazy but still healthy ideas was encouraged rather than immediately criticized. My teachers and mentors gave me opportunities to experiment. Competitions gave me opportunities to fail. And events like the Kosen Summit gave me opportunities to meet people who share the same passion.
For that, I am incredibly grateful.

I don’t know exactly what lies beyond this journey of mine. Perhaps some of the ideas I have today will fail. Perhaps some will become something much bigger than I expect.

But I know that I want to keep trying.

I want to keep looking at ordinary problems from a different perspective and asking, “What if there was a better way?” And most importantly, I want to keep putting myself in situations that scare me.

So, for those of you who have read this far, thank you.
And to the students reading this, I hope that this journal can encourage you to try something new and step out of your comfort zone.
You don’t have to be confident. (Neither was I.)
You don’t have to have the perfect idea. (Most of mine weren’t.)
You don’t even have to know exactly what you want to do. (Speaking from experience.)
Just try something.
Fail at it.
Ask for feedback.
And try again.
Because if an introvert like me can somehow end up standing on a stage talking about startups, perhaps you can surprise yourself too.

So, how did an introvert named Ryu end up doing startups?

I think you know the answer.

Lapananrat Pantawat (Ryu)

Hello, I am Takako Utsunomiya, the teacher overseeing the Ikebana club. At the Kanazawa Campus, where the 4th- and 5th-year students study, we offer an extracurricular Ikebana activity. The participating students receive instruction twice a month from Ms. Howa Minamikawa, a member of the Eighth Division of the Sogetsu School’s Ishikawa Branch. This year, four students—three from the 4th year and one from the 5th year—are taking part in the club.

As we begin our Ikebana activities for the second semester, I would like to reflect on what our 4th- and 5th-year students accomplished during the first semester and highlight their involvement in the club.

[May]
The fourth‑year students used the flower shears with surprising skill for beginners, and Ms. Minamikawa (Ikebana instructor) even complimented their work. Their faces were full of concentration as they planned their designs. The fifth‑year student quietly focused on his own arrangement while warmly welcoming the younger members.

[June]
One student quietly focused on her flowers, others asked the teacher for advice, and still another enjoyed lively conversation with classmates as she decided on her designs. There were many different paths to creating a piece, each one unique to the student.

[July ①]
The sunflower’s head was simply too heavy. Even so, driven by the desire to make it face upward, the student kept trying different ideas. Did you notice the toothpick quietly supporting it in the photo? That small touch speaks volumes about her dedication to the piece.

[July ②]
Ms. Minamikawa, our Ikebana instructor, is also a certified Urasenke tea ceremony teacher. She kindly arranged an opportunity for the 4th- and 5th-year students to experience the tea ceremony, and we were served higashi sweets from “Yoshihashi” in Higashiyama, Kanazawa.

[July ③]
Students’ Ikebana works are displayed in various locations, including the president’s office, the main entrance of the ICT, and the space beneath the staircase. Recently, the students have started to concentrate on their own display sites.

[October]
The 4th- and 5th-year students have been given the opportunity to participate in the Sogetsu 100th Anniversary Ikebana Exhibition, “Creating Together, Connecting to the Future,” and to showcase their work in the Mirai Corner.
(Our sincere thanks to everyone at the Sogetsu Ikebana Association, Ishikawa Branch.)
The exhibition will be held from October 10 (Sat.) to 12 (Mon.) at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Basement Level 1, People’s Gallery B. If you happen to be in the area, we would be delighted if you could stop by and take a look at the students’ work.
https://www.sogetsu.or.jp/events/local/816652/

Ikebana Club
Takako Utsunomiya

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

Arriving at the event venue会場到着

Preparing the exhibition booth展示ブース設営中

Ready to welcome visitors準備が終わって待機中

Introducing the robot to visitorsロボット解説中

Children taking a close look at the robotロボット見学中の子供たち

Children taking a close look at the robotステージ実演で台車に乗る参加者

Students explaining the robot beside the stageステージ脇でロボットの説明をする学生

Hello again! I’m Sharmee Abuan, one of the Learning Mentors at ICT Hakusanroku Campus. It’s been just over a month since the school year began. In my last entry, I shared about the workshops we handled throughout the previous year. This time, I’d like to share about something we did on a smaller scale but is just as important: the mini workshops we held for our new students about a week into the academic year.

Before classes officially started, the Learning Mentors got together to think about how we could help incoming students settle in more smoothly. Adjusting to a new school can already feel overwhelming, so we decided to focus on practical skills. These are the things students would actually use every day at ICT.

The mini workshops ran for four days, with each session lasting about 15 to 20 minutes during the first part of our Learning Sessions from April 13th to 16th, 2026.

Day 1 – eSyllabus Workshop

We started by introducing the eSyllabus and explaining why it’s important to check it regularly. It is very important that they understand how to use the eSyllabus because it is the main system students use to view their class curriculum, content, and tasks. At first, some students seemed unsure as they navigated the system on their own. You could tell they were carefully trying to figure things out. Before long, though, they began clicking around more confidently and asking questions when they got stuck. By the end of the session, it was clear they felt more comfortable using it.

Day 2 –Microsoft Word Workshop

As ICT students write reports and reflections in their classes, this session focused on the basics of creating documents such as formatting, using shortcuts, and saving files properly using Microsoft Word. Students then created a short self-introduction document using what they had learned. Some went straight into organizing everything neatly, while others immediately started experimenting with different fonts. It was actually fun to see their personalities come through as they use the program.

Day 3 – E-mail Workshop

Day three was all about writing and sending e-mails properly with subject lines, greetings, polite wording, attaching files, and making sure messages go to the right person. Students practiced writing short e-mails on their own, and many of them reread their messages several times before hitting the send button. They were also asked to use the output they made in the previous workshop as an attachment to their e-mail. Mastering how e-mails work will be very useful not only in their ICT life but also in their professional journey.

Day 4 – Review

The final day was mostly a review: checking the eSyllabus, using Word, and sending e-mails again. Compared to day one, the atmosphere felt noticeably different. The room was more relaxed, and students seemed more confident. It was a small change, but an easy one to notice.

The workshops themselves were simple, but going through them was a good reminder of how much these “small” things matter. Checking the eSyllabus or sending a clear e-mail may seem minor, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly someone adjusts to a new environment. Sometimes, it’s not about doing something big but about feeling capable in the everyday moments.

Sharmee Abuan

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