The Arizona State University/Thunderbird School of Global Management-Hiroshima University Global School (Global Initiative) on Hiroshima University’s campus, was due to begin accepting students in August 2021; however, as a result of the impact of the spread of COVID-19, the acceptance of students was postponed.

Arizona State University (ASU), Thunderbird School of Global Management (Thunderbird) and Hiroshima University (HU) held a press conference to announce the start of student recruitment for the first phase of student acceptance in August 2022, after agreeing on a very detailed implementation plan (2022-2023 academic year), which included the curriculum, etc.

At the press conference, President Ochi said, "Through this project, we will create a new image of the university, including internationalization, by incorporating the best elements of Japanese higher education while grasping the global standards of university management and education."

Alicia Edwards, Consul for Public Affairs at the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe, who was also present at the press conference, commented, "The Global Initiative is a leading and innovative model for strengthening international educational partnerships between the United States and Japan, and we look forward to many more years of academic cooperation and exchange between our two countries."

All classes at the Global Initiative will be taught in English, but students who are uncomfortable with the English language can take an intensive preparatory course offered by ASU before enrolling. In addition, tuition scholarships are available from ASU/Thunderbird.

The Global Initiative will provide students who have difficulty studying abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the opportunity to receive an education at one of the world's leading universities.