Okayama University Implements Multicultural Co-learning, Short-term Study Abroad, and Service Learning Centered on ESD, Deepening Exchange with Indonesia's Hasanuddin University and Others

March 29, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆Overview

For 11 days from February 13 to 23, 2026, the Faculty of Education at Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) conducted an overseas training program, "International Challenge," centered on ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) in Makassar, Indonesia. This is the second time the university's Faculty of Education has conducted this project in Indonesia, following last year.

This program was implemented as part of the 'Support Project for Creating Social Impact through University Internationalization' promoted by the university, with the major pillar of fostering 'Well-being practitioners who co-create the future of the region and the planet' through an integrated engagement strategy. It is also linked with the 'Inter-city Cooperation Carbon Neutral Promotion Project' advanced by Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, and Makassar City, Indonesia, developing from an inter-university exchange centered on the regional education programs of Hasanuddin University and our university to international collaboration based on inter-municipal cooperation.

The training consisted of three stages: 'domestic pre-study (Maniwa City),' 'on-site activities (Makassar City),' and 'post-reflection.' In the pre-study, students visited Maniwa City, which has an inter-city partnership with Makassar City, and learned about advanced cases of biomass power generation and the conversion of organic waste into electricity and liquid fertilizer by methane, as well as initiatives for a circular society utilizing waste separation and resource circulation. The students perceived this as one model for solving environmental issues through community-based resource circulation and brought this learning to their activities in Indonesia.

On-site, in addition to 10 students from our university, 10 students from Hasanuddin University and 10 students from Makassar National University participated. A total of 30 students formed mixed teams, and Japanese and local students collaborated on practical activities themed on the garbage problem, such as fieldwork in garbage dumps and slum areas, creating a garbage sorting card game, and conducting outreach classes at local elementary schools. In addition, they co-created a compost for composting food waste, generating social impact that influences the local community through practical learning.

Through homestays, they also directly experienced local life and culture, deepening multicultural co-learning in their daily lives. Through such dialogue and collaboration with diverse others, the students were exposed to diverse values and sought solutions to social issues from a global perspective.

After returning to Japan, they reflected on their experiences on-site, verbalizing and sharing their learning. The Faculty of Education will continue to widely and continuously provide opportunities for multicultural co-learning and conduct students' international learning and social practice under the vision set forth in 'Toward 2035'.

This information was released by Okayama University on March 18, 2026.