Kyushu University Students Gain Hands‑On Tech Experience in International Project

It is important to note that today institutions are becoming more proactive in making global partnerships not only through research collaboration but also by encouraging their students to participate in activities which are global in orientation. This provides young individuals with an opportunity to develop their skills and directly facilitate global collaboration.

This involved reporting that the student programming group GLEAP at Kyushu University took up the challenge to recreate the MIRAI Consortium Japan-Sweden university network’s website. This international activity by students was also put into context as one that "speaks of challenge, of teamwork, of progress."

MIRAI: Role and Challenges

Observers stated that, initiated in 2017, MIRAI connects Japanese and Swedish universities to advance their research, education, and innovation. Since 2024, Kyushu University has acted as the Japanese coordinating university, meaning that it is responsible for disseminating information regarding the network and for networking. It was observed that with a post-COVID-19 pandemic increase in online engagement, there were growing demands from inside and outside the consortium for a more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing website. Therefore, an initiative for redesigning the website in cooperation with students was launched in 2024.

Student-Led Innovation

The project partner, GLEAP, is a programming club of Kyushu University, which is known to nurture globally competitive IT talent. The club has around 130 members, of whom ten were involved in the initiative from spring to autumn 2025. They did everything from planning and designing to carrying out the project while facing obstacles such as English communication, time zone differences, and cultural differences. The members of GLEAP said sometimes challenged by language and culture, but the team spirit encouraged them to reach their goals. They wish to see more increases in MIRAI activities offered.

More than just a plain site for consortium activities was said to have undergone a redesign. This was an experiment in international collaboration through student leadership that offered hands-on experience in global teamwork. To ensure fair assessment of student skills and due compensation, a formal contract was drawn up between MIRAI and GLEAP. The new website was commended by the consortium members for its design and performance.

Impact and Future Plans

Commentators have noted that this project showed how students could flourish on the international stage. It gave firsthand tech experience to Kyushu students and underlined how important cross-border tech projects with students are. The endeavour also demonstrated the achievements of the GLEAP programming club and underlined its position in global partnership acts at Kyushu University. Their contribution to the Kyushu University student‑led web design initiative for Japan–Sweden cooperation allowed the students to develop practically useful skills in international university consortium communication as well as cross-cultural teamwork. This experience will be used by Kyushu University to promote a variety of international student activity opportunities in the future, contributing to the next generation of students participating in global collaboration.

Editor’s Note:

The report is an account of how universities now encourage students to have an active role in international collaboration. It explained how the programming club of Kyushu University, GLEAP, took on the challenge of redesigning the website of the MIRAI Consortium Japan-Sweden university network. The project was characterised as a student-led initiative, putting emphasis on teamwork, problem-solving, and growth. MIRAI was born in 2017; the primary purpose was to connect Japanese and Swedish universities for the promotion of research, education, and innovation. Since 2024, Kyushu University has been the Japanese coordinating university, disseminating information and building networks. With the advent of online engagement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for a more user-friendly and visually appealing website was clear. In response, a redesign initiative was started with students taking the lead. It was explained further that ten GLEAP members worked on the project from spring to autumn 2025, managing everything in planning, design, and implementation on top of challenges that some faced, like English communication, time zone differences, and cultural gaps. Their comments revealed that even if language and culture made the work hard in some aspects, it was the spirit of the team that saw them through. Consortium members praised the website for its design and performance. This was celebrated not only as a technical upgrade but as an experiment in international collaboration through student leadership. A formal contract was signed to ensure equitable grading of students' skills and fair remuneration, which enhanced the quality of this initiative. Commentators stressed that this project gave Kyushu University students opportunities for hands-on experience in cross-border technology and international teamwork. It also showcased the accomplishments of the GLEAP programming club and its role in collaborative projects across borders. It is expected that the experience gathered will assist Kyushu University in providing more chances for students in international collaboration in the future.

Skoobuzz mentions this case illustrates that student-led innovation does reinforce university networks and lend skills to young people that are locally and globally useful. It stressed that international collaboration is not just for researchers but also for students who are willing to participate in shaping the future.

FAQs

1. How many international students are at Kyushu University?

As of May 2025, Kyushu University has about 2,600 international students, making up roughly 14% of its total student body.

2. Is Kyushu University prestigious?

Yes. Kyushu University is one of Japan’s National Seven Universities, founded in 1903. It is highly respected for its research, teaching, and international partnerships, and is consistently ranked among the top universities in Japan.

3. Does Kyushu University accept a MEXT scholarship?

Yes. Kyushu University accepts students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship programme. This includes undergraduate, graduate, and research students, as well as those in special courses.

4. What is Kyushu University ranked in Asia?

In the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025, Kyushu University was ranked 62nd in Asia.

5. What is the hardest university to enter in Japan?

The University of Tokyo is widely considered the hardest university to enter in Japan, due to its highly competitive entrance exams and low acceptance rate.

6. What is Kyushu University ranked for in Japan 2025?

In the Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings 2025, Kyushu University was ranked 5th overall in Japan, moving up one place from the previous year.