To parents

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in the education of Hiroshima University.

This academic year, due to the spread of COVID-19, we had to restrict various activities at the university, which caused great concern. I think that the new students in particular had a year of anxiety and worries because they couldn't live the university life they envisioned. Also, regardless of the undergraduate or graduate school, I suppose many of students were forced to live with frustration, regardless of their research, job hunting, extracurricular activities, or part-time work.

At Hiroshima University, we have made every effort to provide continuous learning opportunities while giving top priority to the health and safety of our students. It is the efforts of students and parents that we were able to continue our university education, research activities and to celebrate the new start of graduates and graduates in March despite being affected by infectious diseases. It is the result of cooperation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

In October, we provided autumn guidance for new undergraduate and graduate students. In the third term from October 2nd, we have expanded our face-to-face activities, such as making the specialized subjects of the first-year undergraduate students face-to-face in principle. As for the classes of 4th term from December 1st, we decided to hold the liberal arts education subjects face-to-face in principle, taking advantage of online. In conducting classes, we are taking measures to prevent infection, such as distributing face shields to applicants and installing carbon dioxide concentration measuring instruments in lecture rooms used by a large number of people. In addition, we continue to lend mobile Wi-Fi routers free of charge to students who do not have a network environment at home, etc. so that they will not interfere with learning activities outside the campus.

Regarding extracurricular activities, the activities were restricted from April 3rd to July 9th, but from July 10th, the activities of the permitted groups were approved. It seems that the participation of new students has increased since the summer vacation. Due to the spread of the infection, the activity was stopped again from December 3rd. However, after that, based on the improvement of the infection situation, from February 15, this year, after thorough measures to prevent the spread of infection, the activities of the permitting organizations were resumed.

In order to understand the actual conditions of life of students studying at Hiroshima University, improve class methods, and enhance the support necessary for maintaining the physical and mental health of students, we conduct questionnaires and report on the results and responses (https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/news/62335). We have also released "Enhance knowledge -Hiroshima University 100 special lectures-" so that you can take a look at a part of the classes of our faculty members and experience the "knowledge" of Hiroshima University.

Since April of last year, Hiroshima University has taken all possible measures in case an infected person occurs on campus, student dormitory, or international student dormitory; for example, in addition to responding to classes, research, extracurricular activities, etc., we secured accommodation facilities on campus as a medical treatment and waiting place for infected people and close contacts, and in the area so that the lives of students and international students will not be hindered when waiting at home, built a system to deliver emergency supplies such as food from the nearest store of IZUMI Co.,Ltd., which operates supermarkets, etc. From the end of last year to January this year, infections of multiple students were confirmed on campus, but thanks to the students' proper actions to prevent the spread of infection, the impact was minimized and we are able to continue our education and research activities without interruption.

This year, we held the "Hiroshima University Regional Meetings" for parents after taking measures to prevent infection by using some online distribution in Fukuoka, Okayama, Beppu, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Matsuyama. We received valuable opinions from the parents who participated: "I would like you to increase more face-to-face classes.", "I would like you to create opportunities to connect with first-year students and seniors.", "I would like  you to create opportunities for online meetings as a place for communication with parents.", "Since the study abroad program has been cancelled, I would like you to consider it from the next fiscal year onward." and "I would like you to increase tools for disseminating information and create an environment that makes it easier to understand the situation.". In order to meet your wishes and expectations as much as possible, we will expand face-to-face classes from the third term, and as a place for interaction between first-year students and seniors, we held autumn guidance for new students, freshmen’s gathering for friendly discussions, student’s gathering for friendly discussions, etc. In addition, as a study abroad program, we conducted online international exchanges with students from overseas universities. We are preparing to hold online meetings next year.

Also, we have renewed the page for parents on the official website of the university, and we are quick to inform you about the current situation of the university and the movement of the university, so please make use of it (https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/family).

At Hiroshima University, while paying close attention to the future infection situation, we will thoroughly implement measures to prevent the spread of infection on campus, and based on the experience of this year's COVID-19, all faculty and staff will continue to do their utmost to enrich the university life of all students toward the next academic year. We would like to ask our parents for their understanding and support.

February 26, 2021

OCHI Mitsuo
President, Hiroshima University