The 18th International Summer School was held from September 7 to 11, 2026, inviting faculty members and students from partner universities.

The Summer School has been held since 2008 with the aim of sharing knowledge and skills through a global perspective between students and young researchers from the Graduate School of Biosphere Science (prior to the current reorganized Graduate School) and overseas universities, mainly those with international exchange agreements.

This year's Summer School followed the previous format by inviting not only students but also their academic supervisors, thereby fostering further opportunities for collaborative research.　Also, on September 10th, the “International Symposium on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” was organized.

On the first day, 15 faculty members and students from five universities in three countries came together to participate in the Summer School.

During the welcome party, participants enjoyed lively international exchanges with Hiroshima University students over light refreshments in a friendly atmosphere. They also experienced Japanese culture by wearing yukata and taking commemorative photos.

At the briefing session presenting some opportunities for studying in Japan, Dr. Suzuki, Chairperson of the International Exchange Committee, introduced the university and explained studying in Japan, followed by presentations made by government-funded international students studying at Hiroshima University concerning their own pursuits of overseas study experiences and the various challenges of daily life in Japan.

During the laboratory visits, the participants were divided into two groups, each led by a student tutor, and visited the laboratories of four programs: Integrative Hydrosphere Science Program, Applied Animal and Plant Science Program, Food Science Program and Molecular Agro-life Science Program, where they had the opportunity to hear about state-of-the-art facilities and their research activities.

On the second and third days, participants visited various laboratories to explore and discuss their specific scientific interests.

During these days, they engaged in 'Science Program Work' based on their fields of specialization and experienced cutting-edge science and technology through hands-on activities with their host faculty and Hiroshima University students.

On the fourth day, the Summer School participants went on a company tour to Satake Corporation. There, the students learned how research in agricultural science is implemented in society and learned how the company is actively employing foreign human resources to expand its business globally, which may have further motivated them to study overseas.

In the afternoon, the International Symposium on SDGs was held. Discussions were deepened through presentations and Q&A sessions by the five Summer School invited faculty members and one Hiroshima University faculty member, focusing on how their research contributes to the achievement of the SDGs and what challenges they faced. Additionally, a poster session was held simultaneously, featuring research presentations by ten Summer School invited students and ten graduate students from Hiroshima University, with 70 faculty members and students attending.

After the International Symposium, a farewell party was held, where the participants were presented with certificates and commemorative gifts by Dr. Koike. A total of 37 participants, including faculty and student assistants, joined the party to bid farewell to the participants with the hope of further deepening exchanges into the future.

On the final day, a tour was conducted to learn about the history of Hiroshima.　Through visits to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima Island, the participants gained a broader understanding of Hiroshima's history and learned how the city has grown into a symbol of peace that seeks peace, thereby adding to the significance of studying in Hiroshima.

＜Comments from the Summer School participants（Excerpt）＞

• Overall, the International Summer School by Hiroshima University was excellent! From the preparation and ensuring that we have our visa, poster, reports, the staff are really hands-on and helpful to us; until our very last day in Hiroshima, everything was so smooth. I am happy that while being productive and learning new things, I am exposed to how life in Hiroshima may look like for me in the future as I plan to pursue my PhD here. The facilities, resources, laboratory, and specialties of different senseis were superb. I am grateful for this experience because it inspires me to strive more, do better, and aim higher because endless opportunities are given to those who are risking. I cannot think of a suggestion to have this program be better in the future, because what I experienced was so commendable that I cannot think of a thing that needs to be better. I am hoping to be back in Hiroshima soon! Arigato gozaimasu, Hiroshima University, Japan!
• The international summer school was a memory to cherish and an opportunity of a lifetime. To be honest, everything that happened in the summer really gave me a different perspective on the study I’m working on right now. I guess there’s not much of suggestions since it was already an excellent flow of program and the schedule was properly followed. I hope that this summer school will continue so that other students can experience the same kind of excitement and happiness. Thank you so much Hiroshima University. See you next time, hopefully as a Master’s student.
• Overall, the program had met its goals. As participants, we are now interested to return to Hirodai as students♡ I hope this program will continue.
• To conclude, the International Summer School was an amazing experience that I believe could change a person’s life. For me, it helped me establish a clearer direction for my life and career. I have nothing to complain about; every part of the experience was meaningful in its own way. My message to future participants is to allow themselves to be fully present in every moment because these moments are fleeting. Thank you so much Hiroshima University and to everyone who is behind the success of this meaningful event.
• Overall, the 2026 International Summer School was an incredible, well-organized, and memorable experience. I truly appreciate the warm hospitality from Hiroshima University, the professors, mentors, and fellow students who made every session informative and engaging. The combination of lab visits, hands-on program works, and cultural study tours gave us a great balance of academic and cultural enrichment.  For future improvements, my main suggestion would be to extend the time allotted for the poster session during the International Symposium, as participants have prepared a lot and would love more time for meaningful discussions and Q&A. Overall, thank you so much to all the organizers and staff for making this program a huge success!
• Even though the program was made 10 years ago, it is still very efficient. It is not so compacted, which really gives us time to catch up on our research and allows me to comprehend the realities and possibilities of taking my doctoral studies here if accepted. Thank you so much for inviting us. We have created memories and friends we will be connecting with for a long time. We have all became great friends with one common goal: innovative advancements for the SDGs!
• A very great way to let students experience world class quality of instruction and research, and to encourage students to pursue higher studies internationally specially at Hiroshima University.
• The overall program was well organized and provided a valuable opportunity for academic learning, cultural exchange, and networking with international participants. The combination of lectures, practical activities, field visits, and the symposium made the program engaging and meaningful. Overall, the International Summer School and Symposium was a valuable and enjoyable experience, and I would encourage the continuation of this program with more opportunities for international collaboration and academic networking.