By Hiroshima University Department of Public Relations

Hiroshima University collaborates with four North African and two Sub-Saharan universities for an exciting program designed for students seeking to lead high-quality economic growth and sustainable development in Africa and facilitate multilateral international cooperation. The Triangular Study Abroad Program for Reciprocal Partnership with North and Sub-Saharan Africa hopes to educate prospective students who will bridge Japan and Africa and various African regions. 

The program is supervised by leading experts who possess strong track records in development-related work. 

Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at present, Hiroshima University provides online courses to prioritize the safety of students. 

How it works

The program is offered through a triangular study model, allowing them to study in Japan, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The model starts with an online exchange program while in their home countries. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic becomes under control, HU students would start to visit and study in Africa for a short period of one week or two, or for a semester. Meanwhile, students in Africa would come and study for a semester in Japan. In the future, students would finally organize a joint conference in Zambia.

Online Exchange

The online exchange phase comprises courses on peace study, Japanese language, and global issues such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

HU accepts undergraduate and graduate students from the participating universities in peace study and Japanese language courses. 

Under the global issues-related courses, students from the seven partner universities will have opportunities to interact through their shared online classrooms. In our plan, approximately 100 undergraduate and graduate students may participate yearly in this online learning model from four countries, namely Egypt, Malawi, Zambia, and Japan. Students will discuss their study interests and the social issues faced in their region vis-a-vis their cultural contexts. In the end, students are expected to apply what they learned in their courses through an action plan targeting the issues they raised.

The online phase will also serve as a pre-training for the students selected for the study abroad phase.

Study Abroad

For this phase, several students from Egypt and a few from Malawi and Zambia will be spending a semester in Japan for three to six months for their study and research.

Meanwhile, 10 HU undergraduate students can participate in the yearly START Africa (Short Study Abroad Program for Undergraduate Students). They will spend one week in Zambia and one week in Egypt to study with local students. Furthermore, six HU graduate students are expected to spend a semester in Egypt, Malawi, or Zambia for their research.   

Financial support, which includes a roundtrip air ticket, will be awarded to students in Africa selected for the Study Abroad phase upon meeting scholarship requirements.

Note: As part of its safety protocols, Hiroshima University will be providing the courses online using the online model to prioritize students’ health amid the pandemic. 

Triangular Joint Conference

For the third phase, HU students and students in Africa will meet face-to-face or online in Zambia and conduct a joint conference, where students present their research and discussion results.  

Note: As part of its safety protocols, Hiroshima University will be providing the courses online to prioritize students’ health amid the pandemic. 

Where you can study

Japan
Egypt
Malawi
Zambia

Exchange partners

Cairo University
Ain Shams University
Aswan University
Beni-Suef University
University of Zambia
University of Malawi

What we look for

We are looking for students who have special interests in education, health sciences, or food security. Students who possess the necessary competencies to bridge Japan, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa are welcome. 

HU students

Students seeking to contribute to social change, achieve quality growth in Africa, and facilitate multilateral reciprocal partnerships between Japan and Africa and the African regions.

African students

Students seeking to work at the forefront to address Africa’s challenges, play a leadership role in forming multilateral reciprocal partnerships in the region, and lead social change to achieve regional growth.

For questions about the exchange program, email us at kokusai-ryugaku * office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp. Also check out the program website: Japan-Africa Triangle Education Program. (Note: Please replace * with @)