Senior High School Students from Taiwan Visit Kumamoto University
On July 9, 24 senior high school students from Taiwan visited Kumamoto University as part of the Kumamoto Experience Program. Implemented under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s (MEXT) “Internationalization Initiative for Specialized Training Colleges,” the program is organized by Kokei Juku, a traditional private academy in Kumamoto. This marks the second time Kumamoto University has welcomed Taiwanese high school students through this initiative, following a successful first visit in February of this year.Discovering Kumamoto University’s Heritage and Admissions
The visit began inside a historic classroom at the Memorial Museum of the Fifth High School. Here, the students received a comprehensive briefing on Kumamoto University’s rich history, academic culture, and essential admissions information for prospective international students. The session effectively showcased the university's key strengths and vibrant campus life, offering the students practical guidance and inspiring them to consider Kumamoto University as a top choice for their future education.
Experiencing Cutting-Edge Research Firsthand
Following the introductory session, the students were introduced to the university’s advanced research capabilities at the Shock Wave Laboratory—which houses the only comprehensive explosion experiment facility among Japan’s national universities. Professor Shigeru Tanaka from the Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials conducted a demonstration experiment, using a precise amount of explosive shockwaves to instantly crush apples submerged in water. Professor Tanaka explained the real-world applications of this technology, which range from humanitarian engineering—such as rescuing individuals trapped under debris during earthquakes—to industrial innovations, such as efficiently extracting essential oils from citrus peels. The demonstration successfully illustrated to the students how high-level academic research translates into practical societal benefits.
Fostering Global Talents
The Kumamoto Experience Program is specially designed for Taiwanese senior high school students who are considering pursuing higher education or future employment opportunities in Japan. Through these on-site visits, Kumamoto University aims to provide international youth with first-hand experience of Japanese campus life and world-class academic research. Kumamoto University remains deeply committed to welcoming and nurturing young talent from all around the world.
Associate Professor Hideo Taira of the Institute for Education and Student Affairs
introducing Kumamoto University to the students
Students get a hands-on look at a safe, 1-gram sample of the explosive material
under the supervision of Professor Shigeru Tanaka (Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials)
Students feeling the altered texture of an apple following the shockwave experiment,
experiencing the immediate effects of the technology firsthand
Group Photo in Front of the Memorial Museum of the Fifth High School