Hiroshima University, in collaboration with the University of Idaho (USA), conducted a program from May 19 to 29, 2026, as part of the “Mega Exchange Program for Nurturing Peace and Sustainability Leaders.” A total of 32 students and 5 faculty and staff members from the University of Idaho participated in the program.

This initiative has been selected for support under the Mineta Ambassadors Program (MAP), an educational fund jointly established by the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Department of State. The program aims to provide study abroad opportunities for students from both Japan and the United States, foster the development of next-generation leaders with a global perspective, and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

In fiscal year 2026, this grant enabled scholarships to be awarded to 30 students from each country, making it possible for a greater number of students to access international learning opportunities.

Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho established an inter-university agreement in 2023, followed by the conclusion of a “Mega Exchange Agreement” in June 2024. Based on these agreements, the two universities launched a large-scale initiative in fiscal year 2025 to promote reciprocal student exchange of approximately 100 students annually, with this program serving as a core component of that effort.

As part of the short-term program, students from both universities participate in approximately 10-day training sessions, engaging in dialogue and experiential learning aimed at addressing global challenges under the shared theme of “Peace and Sustainability.”

In fiscal year 2026, the inbound program at Hiroshima University was conducted under the title “Hiroshima Dialogues: Peace, Plate, and Planet.” Participants explored the themes of peace and sustainability through multifaceted learning grounded in Hiroshima’s historical context and local resources.

The program was based in the Saijo area, which is surrounded by mountains and the sea, where students deepened their understanding of regional culture and local industries. Through company visits and other activities, they examined the sustainable use of regional resources and the coexistence of industry and the environment. This provided participants with an opportunity to develop perspectives on achieving a sustainable society while recognizing the connections between local communities and the global environment.

As part of the peace education component, participants attended a testimony by an atomic bomb survivor and visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, deepening their understanding of Hiroshima’s path to recovery and its mission as a “City of Peace.” Furthermore, through lectures and workshops focused on postwar reconstruction and the transmission of atomic bomb experiences, students explored peace from multifaceted perspectives grounded in historical context.

Throughout the program, students from diverse nationalities and academic backgrounds actively exchanged ideas through group work and discussions, reexamining the themes of “peace” and “sustainability” in light of their own cultural and social contexts. By integrating experiential learning with academic study, the program provided a valuable opportunity to enhance understanding from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Participants shared highly positive feedback, including comments such as: “Peace and sustainability are inseparable themes, and my experience in Hiroshima helped me truly realize their connection,” “I found that sustainable initiatives utilizing local resources can be applied in my own country,” and “Engaging in dialogue with students from diverse backgrounds greatly broadened my perspective.”

It is expected that the knowledge and insights gained through this program will inspire each participant to take concrete actions in the future, ultimately contributing to proactive efforts toward the realization of a peaceful and sustainable society.

Hiroshima University will continue, under its guiding principle of “a spirit of peace,” to create opportunities for international dialogue and collaboration, and to foster individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the global community. Furthermore, through this program, the University aims to further strengthen its partnership with the University of Idaho and to build a sustainable and deepened collaboration between Japan and the United States.