JICUF Grantee Highlight: Christmas Concert with Johannes Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B-Minor
Nozomi Sato, professor of music and director of ICU’s Sacred Music Center, received a ¥1,100,000 grant from JICUF to invite professional musicians to perform one of Bach’s final masterpieces, “Mass in B Minor” at ICU. Over several months, ICU students have been practicing with these professional musicians in preparation for the ICU Christmas Concert on December 10th. We asked Prof. Sato and some of the student musicians for their thoughts on the concert and to share their experiences getting ready for the big concert.
2021 JICUF Study Abroad Scholar Mariko Kawasaki
ICU student Mariko Kawasaki was one of the recipients of the 2021 JICUF Study Abroad Scholarship last year. Mariko studied at the University of California, and has recently completed her study abroad program. We asked her some questions about her time at UC.
JICUF and Japan Society Host Event on Japanese Higher Education’s Response to the War in Ukraine
On Friday, September 9, JICUF and Japan Society held a discussion and reception at Japan Society focused on Japanese higher education’s response to the war in Ukraine. Moderated by Japan Society President & CEO Joshua Walker, the panel included ICU President Shoichiro Iwakiri, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration’s Laura Wagner and JICUF’s Paul Hastings. A link to a video recording of the event can be accessed in the article.
Supporting Refugee Students Beyond the Syrian Scholars Initiative
JICUF has helped recruit seven Syrian students through the Syrian Scholars Initiative. This year marks the final year of student recruitment for SSI, and we will continue to support refugee and displaced students through other means, including funding the Japanese Language School Pathways program administered by the NPO Pathways Japan.
Updates on the Japan-Ukraine University Pathways Program
In May, five Ukrainian students were welcomed to ICU through the Japan-Ukraine University Pathways program co-managed by JICUF and Pathways Japan. The program has since expanded to other universities in Japan.
JICUF Grantee Highlight: I am ME Workshop
Last fall, ICU graduate Hiroko Bell was awarded 198,400JPY through the JICUF grants program. This spring, the funds were used to conduct a workshop series focused on helping ICU high school students understand their identities as TCK (Third Culture Kids).
JICUF and Pathways Japan launch Japan-Ukraine Education Pathways
On March 22, JICUF and Pathways Japan (PJ) launched the Japan-Ukraine Education Pathways initiative. There are two programs under this initiative: the Japan-Ukraine University Pathways program, and the Japan-Ukraine Language School Pathways program. Click here to read more about the two programs.
Changes on the JICUF Board of Trustees – Spring 2022
One trustee has left the JICUF Board, and two new trustees have joined.
ICU Global Youth Essay Competition 2021 Winners Announced
On March 14th, the winners of the 2021 ICU Global Youth Essay Competition were invited to an online awarding ceremony hosted by ICU President Shoichiro Iwakiri.
History of the ICU Soccer Club, by Weimin George Yuan
A history of the founding of the ICU Soccer Club, written by Weimin George Yuan (ICU class of ’64).