Nurturing Global Citizens: The Dwight Clark Cross-Cultural Program at ICU
Photo by Kyoka Horiuchi “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.” – Abraham Lincoln, Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862 From May 24 to June 5, 2026, twelve students from Parami University in Myanmar traveled to Japan to participate in the Dwight Clark Cross-Cultural Program at ICU. Made possible through a partnership between JICUF, Parami University, ICU, and Volunteers in Asia (VIA), the program brought together students, educators, and community leaders for nearly two weeks of learning, […]
Global Citizen Fellowship 2026 Launches Second Year with Diverse Cohort and Spring Retreat
On April 4, 2026, JICUF officially launched the second year of the Global Citizen Fellowship (GCF) with a kickoff event at ICU. The eight-month fellowship brings together students from Japanese universities who are committed to deepening their understanding of themselves, the world around them, and their responsibility to contribute to the well-being of humanity. A scene from the kickoff meeting (Photo by Kyoka Horiuchi)Fully funded by JICUF, the fellowship combines two weekend retreats in Japan, a two-and-a-half-week intensive program in New York City, a social impact project, individual coaching, and peer learning opportunities. Through these interconnected experiences, fellows are challenged to better understand themselves, engage thoughtfully with the […]
Alumni Stories No. 28 – Dr. Keigi Fujiwara
Born the son of the head priest in a temple in Shimane, Dr. Keigi Fujiawara studied biology at ICU and graduated in 1968. He went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and began an illustrious career as a faculty member at the Harvard Medical School, the University of Rochester, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center among others. We asked Dr. Fujiwara to write about his life, including how the heir to a Buddhist temple ended up at ICU, and built his career in the U.S.
Changes on the JICUF Board – Spring 2026
Masako Hashigami, who served on the JICUF Board for nine years, stepped down from her role at the end of March, and two new trustees, Rie Kijima and Kieran Cavanna joined the board. We thank Masako for her years of dedicated service to JICUF, and welcome Rie and Kieran.
Alumni Stories No. 27 – Dr. Masako Hashigami
This March, Masako Hashigami completed her ten years of service as a trustee on the JICUF board. She is an ICU graduate (class of 1975) who went on to earn graduate degrees from Harvard Business School and Bard Graduate School. She has had a career in finance and served on the boards of the Japan Society and the Freer and Sackler Galleries. We asked Masako to share her “ICU story.”
2026 Japan Education Pathways Scholars Matriculate at ICU
On April 2, two new Japan Education Pathways (JEP) Scholars matriculated at ICU. Solomiia, who is from Ukraine, and Zahra, who is from Afghanistan, are this year’s recipients of this scholarship.
Faculty Grant Project Report “ICUHS School Farm to Table”
In addition to the “SDG Project” grants for students, JICUF also offers grants for faculty and staff. In fiscal year 2025, we provided a total of 9,485,960 yen in grants to 10 faculty and staff projects. One of these was the “ICUHS School Farm to Table” project led by Minako Kuhara, the International Programs Coordinator at International Christian University High School. In 2022, ICU High School launched “NO AGRI NO LIFE/ NO 農 NO LIFE” as part of its Global Learning Programs, offering students hands-on learning opportunities about agriculture and environmental issues. This is a voluntary group activity involving teachers from various subjects, such as science and home economics, and […]
JICUF Co-organizes a Symposium on Refugee Pathways to Japan at the International House of Japan
On April 8, JICUF co-organized a symposium titled “Refugee Pathways to Japan: From Access to Impact” at the International House of Japan (IHJ) in Tokyo. JICUF staff worked closely with IHJ, the American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ) and the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) to plan and implement this event. The goal was to raise awareness about the current state of the admission of refugees to Japan through educational and employment opportunities, and contemplate the role of philanthropy in this space.
JICUF’s Initiative Refugee Education Japan Publishes 10-year Report
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Japan ICU Foundation’s efforts to expand higher education opportunities for students with refugee backgrounds. To mark this milestone, JICUF’s initiative, Refugee Education Japan, published a 10-year report.
Student Ambassadors, the Passing of the Torch
JICUF’s Student Ambassadors, working under the guidance of Hideko Matsuyama, Program Manager of the JICUF Japan Office, play an active role in sharing information about JICUF’s programs, supporting events and projects, and contributing student-driven ideas that strengthen the ICU community. During the 2025 academic year, they planned and organized a range of initiatives, including International Day at the ICU Festival, Sports Night, and Cook & Connect. The five Student Ambassadors for 2025–26 will complete their terms in March, and four new ambassadors will begin in April. We extend our sincere appreciation to the 2025–26 Student Ambassadors for their dedication and contributions. In the photo: starting from the back row, left […]