On July 22, 2025, Nagoya University held International Day (NU i-Day) at the ES Hall on the Higashiyama Campus, bringing together students and faculty from across disciplines for global collaboration and academic exchange. The event was funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and highlighted Nagoya University’s commitment to international engagement.
The morning session featured presentations by international students, beginning with the “Niche Tourism @Nagoya Idea Pitch,” where students from the School of Humanities presented innovative tourism concepts for the region. This was followed by project reports from participants in the Summer Intensive Learning Program (SILP), where ten undergraduate and graduate students from North Carolina State University, a strategic partner of Nagoya University, and the University of Washington showcased their collaborative research achievements. The students presented projects on topics including robotics, generative AI, and engineering design challenges—such as a ball launcher system designed to achieve consistent trajectories. In the afternoon session, a Nagoya University student shared her exchange experience at the University of Iceland, followed by an academic writing seminar led by Professor Roy Sidle from the University of Central Asia.
Students from the Nagoya University School of Humanities pitched tourism initiatives based on Nagoya’s food culture.
After each pitch, students answered questions from the audience.
Students from North Carolina State University and the University of Washington shared how they gradually improved their flying robot.
Students gave a behind-the-scenes look at how the “rolling ball” launcher was designed…
…and then emerged victorious in a competition against a team from Nagoya University.
The highlight of the day was a special lecture by Anna Wang, Principal Officer of the US Consulate in Nagoya. Wang shared insights from her diplomatic career trajectory, emphasizing to students the critical importance of language skills in international work and the understanding that cultural perspectives vary significantly across societies. Her message resonated particularly with students considering international careers, as she illustrated how her background in consulting provided a valuable foundation for her diplomatic service.
US Consulate Nagoya Principal Officer Anna Wang addresses the audience, which also included local junior high and high school students.
International Day successfully demonstrated Nagoya University’s dedication to fostering cross-cultural understanding and preparing students for global citizenship through meaningful academic and cultural exchange opportunities. The event was organized by the “Japan-US Interdisciplinary Program Emphasizing Students’ Academic Growth” Steering Committee.