Students from Fukuoka Challenge the World! 'FUKUOKA International Student Award 2026' Held

NPO Smile Flowers held the 'FUKUOKA International Student Award 2026' in Fukuoka City on June 13, 2026 (Sat).

This event brought together high school and university students engaged in international cooperation, multicultural coexistence, overseas experiences, and global education to present their activities and aspirations.

A total of 131 people, including organizers and presenters, participated. Two high school teams and five university teams presented their daily activities, approaches to social issues, and future prospects.

As a result of the judging, five teams received the 'Smile Flowers Encouragement Award', FIWC Kyushu received the 'Special Jury Award', and Kyushu University IFSAQ received the 'Audience Award'. Additionally, 94.5% of participants responded that they were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied', making it an opportunity for students to learn and interact with each other and to challenge the next step.

'Wanting to try' broadens the world

The FUKUOKA International Student Award 2026, themed 'Youth Challenges × International Exchange × Connections', is an event where students interested in international fields share their activities and learn from each other.

The themes of the activities range from international cooperation, international exchange in the region, multicultural coexistence, overseas experiences, study abroad, to student-led social contribution activities. This event values not only the scale and achievements of the activities but also the students' aspirations, their challenging attitudes, and the power to take a step forward with their peers.

Two high school teams and five university teams made presentations

The following seven teams presented on the day:

[High School Teams] ・SAKURA (Fukuoka Futaba High School) ・Fukuoka Mirai Sōzō Camp On Your Mark!

[University Teams] ・FIT CORE (Fukuoka University) ・IFSAQ (Kyushu University) ・FIWC Kyushu (Kyushu University, Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka University) ・Project Creation Team C³ (Seinan Gakuin University) ・International Dormitory RA (Seinan Gakuin University)

Each team presented on their international exchange initiatives, approaches to social issues, activities in the region or overseas, and student-led projects.

The presentations shared fresh perspectives unique to high school students and practical initiatives by university teams, drawing great interest from the audience.

FIWC Kyushu received the Special Jury Award, and Kyushu University IFSAQ received the Audience Award

After the presentations, awards were announced based on voting by judges and attendees.

[Special Jury Award] FIWC Kyushu A team composed of students from Kyushu University, Seinan Gakuin University, and Fukuoka University, engaged in international cooperation and overseas activities. Their presentation was highly evaluated for its attitude towards the purpose of the activities, the relationship with the local community, and continuous support.

[Audience Award] Kyushu University IFSAQ As a student organization of Kyushu University, they are engaged in activities related to international exchange and multicultural coexistence. They received the Audience Award with the most support from attendees' votes.

[Smile Flowers Encouragement Award] ・SAKURA (Fukuoka Futaba High School) ・Fukuoka Mirai Sōzō Camp On Your Mark! ・FIT CORE (Fukuoka University) ・Project Creation Team C³ (Seinan Gakuin University) ・International Dormitory RA (Seinan Gakuin University)

The Smile Flowers Encouragement Award is given not only for the completion of activities but also to support the students' aspirations, their challenging attitudes, and future potential. For the high school category, encouragement awards were given to promote youth challenges.

Six international teams introduced their activities at booths during the second part of the event

During the second part of the event, the following six international teams, different from the presenting teams, set up booths to introduce their activities:

・Fukuoka Prefectural International Student Association (FOSA)

・Global Shapers Community Fukuoka Hub

・Kyushu University African Student Association (ASKU)

・Fukuoka Vietnam Youth Student Association (VYSAF)

・Calligrapher Yohito Tominaga

・NPO Smile Flowers

Many participants were deeply interested in the introductions of each activity.

Participant satisfaction reached 94.5%. 'It was stimulating' and 'I made new connections' were the voices heard

A post-event participant survey found that 94.5% responded that they were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied'.

Participants shared the following impressions:

'I had never been exposed to the initiatives of students in international relations before, so it was fresh and educational.'

'The high school presentations were amazing with a level of completion that didn't seem like high school. The university presentations were also dense in content and presentation, and it was clear that each team was engaged in activities with social significance.'

'I didn't know that students from the same university and different universities were doing such interesting things, and it was a great stimulus.'

'There are few opportunities for exchange with international teams, so it was meaningful to learn about other teams this time.'

'There were many teams I didn't know about, but each one was doing wonderful activities, and I was able to learn many things and had a lot of fun. I was happy to be able to make new connections as well.'

Not only listening to the presentations but also meeting students with the same interests, learning about each other's activities, and becoming a place for exchange that leads to the next step.

Executive Committee Chair Comments

FUKUOKA International Student Award 2026 Executive Committee Chair Kyoka Murbio, Tsukushi Joshi Gakuen University

'This event is a place filled with the aspirations of students in Fukuoka who are engaged in international exchange and multicultural coexistence.

From the presentations of the presenting teams, it was evident that each team is trying to connect with society and the world based on their own interests and experiences.

I am happy if this AWARD becomes a spark for each participating student to meet new friends and broaden their own world.'

Organizer Comments

NPO Smile Flowers Representative Director Hiroyuki Kubota

'At this FUKUOKA International Student Award 2026, I strongly felt the passion and potential of high school and university students in Fukuoka who are challenging the international field.

The image of young people who are interested in international cooperation, multicultural coexistence, overseas experiences, study abroad, and are taking action in their own way is a great hope for the future society. We want to continue creating opportunities for presentations and exchanges so that the challenges of young people who want to connect with the world can lead to continuous growth.'

About the Future

Smile Flowers will continue to create opportunities for young people interested in the international field to learn, challenge, and connect.

In collaboration with presenting teams, participating students, schools, universities, regional organizations, companies, and supporters, we will further expand our efforts to support young people challenging from Fukuoka to the world.

About NPO Smile Flowers

NPO Smile Flowers is an organization based in Fukuoka that focuses on global education for youth and supporting the independence of youth in social care.

Through study abroad, international exchange, and overseas experiences, we provide opportunities for young people to connect with the world. At the same time, we support the independence of young people who find it difficult to rely on their parents, such as those in child welfare facilities and foster families.