Othmer Research Fellows Showcase Their Research on the ICU Campus
The inaugural year of the Othmer Research Fellowship culminated in early December 2025 with research presentations and posters displayed on the ICU campus. On Monday, December 8, and Tuesday, December 9, Othmer Research Fellows presented their work across two sessions, with four fellows presenting on Monday and nine on Tuesday.The fellows’ presentations reflected research spanning multiple disciplines, embodying the Fellowship program’s goal of supporting researchers’ academic interests. In attendance were students, faculty, supporters, and funders. Fellows gained valuable experience in communicating their research findings to diverse audiences. At the conclusion of their presentations, fellows received certificates of completion from President and CEO Paul Hastings. Fellows also created research posters that were […]
A December Visit to Japan: Reflections on Impact, Community and Partnership
In early December, I traveled to Japan for a ten-day visit to International Christian University (ICU), with additional meetings in Tokyo and Tochigi Prefecture. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen relationships across the ICU community and to deepen JICUF’s longstanding partnership with the university. Throughout my time on campus, I met with students, faculty, staff, and members of ICU’s leadership. These conversations—both formal and informal—created space to reflect together on the values that undergird both ICU and JICUF: a shared commitment to liberal arts education, thoughtful engagement with the world, and the belief that learning carries with it a responsibility to contribute to the common good. One especially […]
The Second JICUF International Day Held at the ICU Festival
JICUF Japan Office hosted its second International Day at the ICU Festival on October 12 and 13. Following the success of last year’s International Day, this event brought together participants from the following 11 countries: Syria, Ukraine, Myanmar, India, Russia, the United States, Singapore, China, Thailand, Venezuela, and Japan. Each country had a booth, and ICU students and faculty members introduced their home country’s unique cultural heritage and offered traditional games and activities that visitors could participate in, along with samples of traditional foods and beverages. The event welcomed approximately 550 visitors over the two days. Here are some comments from participating international students: “I was happy to talk with […]
JICUF Organizes Outdoor Education Program for ICU and Refugee Students
JICUF hosted a three-day camping trip at Lake Motosu in Yamanashi Prefecture in late August for a group of ICU students and students with refugee backgrounds. The trip was planned in coordination with Masao Higashiyama, a Health and Physical Education instructor at ICU.The camping trip was attended by 23 students studying at ICU, Japan Education Pathways (JEP) partner universities and Japanese Language Pathways Schools. It was a great opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to get to know each other and enjoy time in nature.
Two USSI Scholars Graduated from ICU This Summer-Julia
JICUF launched the United States Scholars Initiative (USSI) in 2018 to increase the number of degree-seeking undergraduate students from the US at ICU. For the last five years, we have aimed to recruit two US students with excellent academic standing and cover their full tuition for four years. The first two recipients graduated in the summer of 2023. This June, another two USSI scholars, Ms. Julia Yamaguchi and Ms. Myra Lotus Shikimachi-Stickney, completed their studies at ICU. We interviewed Julia and Myra about their memories at ICU and their future aspirations. This page features an essay by Julia. You can find Myra’s interview article here.
Research Activities Presentation held by the Student Instructors from the LPF
On June 25, 2025, a presentation on the educational practices of Student Instructors (SI) in the Language Program for Faculty (LPF) was held in the conference room on the second floor of Dialogue House. JICUF supports this program through its faculty grant. Here is a report by Assistant Professor Sunyoung Chun.
Two USSI Scholars Graduated from ICU This Summer-Myra
JICUF launched the United States Scholars Initiative (USSI) in 2018 to increase the number of degree-seeking undergraduate students from the US at ICU. For the last five years, we have aimed to recruit two US students with excellent academic standing and cover their full tuition for four years. The first two recipients graduated in the summer of 2023. This June, another two USSI scholars, Ms. Myra Lotus Shikimachi-Stickney and Ms. Julia Yamaguchi, completed their studies at ICU. We interviewed Myra and Julia about their memories at ICU and their future aspirations. This page features the interview with Myra. You can find Julia’s essay here.
JICUF SDG Project Recipient Spotlight-ELABEL
SDG Projects Recipient Spotlight: Student Group ELABEL Hosts Fair Trade Sales EventELABEL, a student-led group at ICU dedicated to promoting fair trade on campus, hosted its latest sales event, the “Fair Trade Gallery,” on June 9, 11, and 16. Following their fair trade chocolate sale in February and tote bag sale in April, the group set up shop inside the cafeteria, where they showcased and sold a variety of fair trade products.Items on offer included ELABEL’s original tote bags and “Hachiro” hand towels, as well as fair trade goodies like Uva tea, brown sugar cookies, and chocolate. Although the cafeteria event has concluded, you can still purchase tote bags (¥1,500) […]
JICUF Supports Collaboration between ICU and Asian Rural Institute
With support from JICUF, ICU is implementing a program titled “Learning and Practice on Nature and Food in Collaboration with the Asian Rural Institute.” Located in Tochigi Prefecture, the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) is a school where participants from around the world come together to learn and live in community, cultivating leadership for rural development through a life centered on agriculture. Sharing a common history rooted in Christian ideals, ICU and ARI have built a longstanding relationship through ongoing exchanges. At ICU, momentum has been growing to make greater use of the campus’s rich natural environment in education—for example, through the Farm Project launched in 2024. This new collaboration with […]
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.