Multicultural Co-learning Program (GASSHUKU) with the University of Malaya implemented with the support of the Ibaraki International Association
2025.8.25
A joint GASSHUKU program with the University of Malaya, one of our partner universities in Malaysia, has been successfully held!
Undergraduate students from the University of Malaya stayed in Tsukuba from August 17 to 23. The purpose of their visit was to gain an understanding of local challenges through hands-on experiences and to develop proposals for possible solutions.
On August 19, a workshop was held at the Ibaraki International Association in Mito City, with about 25 Malaysian and Japanese students participating. The themes were “Promotion of Japanese Language and Culture among Foreign Residents” and “Multicultural Coexistence.” After receiving an explanation from the association about the current situation and challenges of Japanese language education in local municipalities, the students actively exchanged ideas on how to better support foreign residents in the community.
In Ibaraki Prefecture, the number of foreign residents is rapidly increasing, and the Ibaraki International Association has been leading a variety of initiatives to promote multicultural coexistence. This program, carried out in collaboration with the Association, brought together students from the University of Malaya and the University of Tsukuba to explore these pressing issues through joint learning.
The program provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) while experiencing the realities of multicultural coexistence in the region. It not only deepened students’ understanding of social challenges but also fostered meaningful cross-cultural exchange, enhancing mutual understanding and the potential for future collaboration between Japan and Malaysia.
This program was featured in the Mainichi Shimbun on August 23, 2025, and on LuckyFM Ibaraki Broadcasting.
Radio Program: Saturday Kingdom (Part 2) | Station: LuckyFM Ibaraki Broadcasting | Broadcast: August 23, 2025 (Sat), 4:00–6:00 PM https://radiko.jp/share/?sid=IBS&t=20250823173150
