Hello, this is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku office. From Saturday, June 6th to Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, six high school students from Columbia, Missouri, USA visited the Hakusanroku Campus. They stayed at the Hakusanroku Campus dormitory and experienced school life together with 1st and 2nd year ICT students.

During their stay, the students from Columbia took part in various programs, including hands-on manufacturing activities and classes alongside ICT students. They also went on a sightseeing excursion in Kanazawa and took part in a homestay program in Hakusan City organized by the local government.
In addition, on Saturday, June 6th, an event titled “Sister City Exchange Program with Columbia, USA – Let’s Interact with American High School Students!” was held at the Hakusanroku Campus. It was organized by the Hakusan International Exchange Association. Elementary and junior high school students from Hakusan City, as well as ICT students, took part. After the visiting American students gave a presentation about Columbia, event participants enjoyed interacting with them in English through quizzes, games, and a campus tour.

For the ICT and American students, even within this relatively short two-week period, living together in the dormitory provided valuable opportunities to learn and build friendships. This made it an irreplaceable and meaningful experience.

American students arrive at the Hakusanroku Campus

Kanazawa sightseeing

Hands-on manufacturing activities and classes alongside ICT students

Sister City Exchange Program with Columbia, USA – Let’s Interact with American High School Students!

Farewell party

Yuri Makada

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. 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