International Course Launch Symposium Was Held

On September 6, Kumamoto University hosted the International Course Launch Symposium, welcoming approximately 300 participants from the general public, including children, students, and their parents. The event was organized by the Preparatory Office of the International Education Program of the Faculty of Education, with the aim of introducing the vision and details of the new International Course, which will officially begin across all grades at the Elementary School Attached to the Faculty of Education starting April of next year.

Distinguished guests included Deputy Director Ichiro Hirai from Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education, along with Special Advisor Yoji Maruyama, Executive Director Chikako Miyao and Dean Yutaka Fujita of the Graduate School/Faculty of Education at Kumamoto University.

The symposium opened with remarks by Professor Taiji Fujise, General Director of the Affiliated School, who emphasized the mission of the International Course: to foster an inclusive educational environment for children from diverse backgrounds. He illustrated this vision using a page from a children’s picture book, making the concept accessible even to young attendees. Following the opening, Associate Professor Atsushi Ota from the Preparatory Office of the International Education Program provided an overview of the program. Specially Appointed Professor Keiko Taguchi then gave a detailed explanation of the admission process for Japanese students, international students, and returnee children.

In the second half of the symposium, presentations and a panel discussion were held featuring two guest speakers with extensive expertise in English immersion education: Chairperson Chiaki Maehara of Okinawa AMICUS International, and Associate Professor Barry Kavanagh of Tohoku University. The session was moderated by Specially Appointed Lecturer Dr. Jincao Wang, and featured a lively exchange of insights and experiences. In the closing remarks, Principal Katsunori Shiomura of the Elementary School Attached to the Faculty of Education emphasized that the International Course will be integrated into the existing school structure, rather than operating as a separate or independent entity. This unified approach reflects the school’s commitment to inclusive and cohesive educational development.

This symposium addressed growing public interest in the International Course, providing clarity and detailed information to prospective families. As the first initiative of its kind among national elementary schools in Japan, Kumamoto University is proud to lead the way in advancing international education—nurturing global mindsets and English proficiency in the next generation to meet the demands of an increasingly globalized society.