SSI Student Ahmet to Graduate from ICU
Ahmet Alhadban, Syrian Scholars Initiative scholarship recipient, will graduate from ICU this month. We asked Ahmet to reflect on his journey and his time at ICU.
Aki Takada
Posts by Aki Takada:
JICUF VP Presents at the Asia-Pacific Association of International Education (APAIE) Conference in Hong Kong
On February 25, JICUF Vice President Aki Takada attended the Asia Pacific Association of International Education (APAIE) conference in Hong Kong and spoke on a panel on “Partnerships for the Global Good: Expanding Opportunity for At-Risk Students and Scholars,” hosted by the Institute for International Education.
Alumni Stories No. 26 – Mr. Nizar Mamdani
Mr. Nizar Mamdani graduated from ICU in 1969. Having grown up in Tanzania, he decided to enroll at ICU following the footsteps of his brother Iqbal. He is now based in the United States and leads a non-profit organization called First Sight Eyeglasses that distributes free eyeglasses to children in need around the world. Mr. Mamdani shared his journey with us.
JICUF and ICU Establish a Graduate Scholarship for Students Impacted by Conflict
This month, JICUF and ICU agreed to establish a graduate scholarship for students who have fled conflict and relocated to Japan. JICUF and ICU already offer full undergraduate scholarships to two new students with refugee backgrounds annually through the Japan Education Pathways program, and will add one full scholarship in the master’s program starting spring 2026.
JICUF President Paul Hastings Chairs a Session on Language Education at UNHCR’s Annual Meeting in Geneva
JICUF President & CEO Paul Hastings was in Geneva from June 24 to 27 to attend the annual meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Hastings proposed and chaired a session on language education, which plays a crucial role in the integration of refugees into host communities. The panelists were representatives of Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, Duolingo, Bard College, and a Syrian refugee student in Slovenia.
JICUF Co-Hosts a Conference on Refugee Education at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand
On June 12 and 13, JICUF co-hosted a Global Task Force on Third Country Education Pathways Community of Practice meeting at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The theme of the meeting was “Preparing Displaced Students from Burma for Education” and approximately 70 representatives of governments, NGOs, UNHCR and higher education institutions as well as students participated from a dozen countries. As the title suggests, the meeting focused on learning about the situation of displaced Burmese refugees and finding durable solutions through education.
Introducing Fusae Nara, JICUF’s New Chair of the Board
In April, Fusae Nara, who joined the JICUF Board of Trustees in 2022, was appointed the Chair of the Board. Fusae is a graduate of ICU with a BA in international law and MA in public administration. Please join us in welcoming her in her new role!
JICUF Co-hosts Events on Refugee Higher Education with Wilfrid Laurier University
In late April, JICUF co-hosted three events in Japan on the theme of expanding higher education access for displaced students: a roundtable on Burmese and Rohingya refugees at the University of Tokyo, a presentation by Wilfrid Laurier University’s International Students Overcoming War (ISOW) team, and a full-day student workshop for student action for humanitarian causes at ICU.
The First Recipients of the Education Pathways Scholarship Matriculate at ICU
On April 1, the first recipients of the Education Pathways Scholarship matriculated at ICU. The Education Pathways Scholarship is a full scholarship which support students who have fled conflict in their home countries. The students shared their thoughts with us.
Two Ukrainian Students Graduate from ICU With Master’s Degrees
This March, two Ukrainian students whom JICUF and ICU supported graduated with master’s degrees. Ivanna Tomchyshena reflected on her time at ICU.