The Department of Global Studies (DGS) recently led an important initiative as part of its new Digital Transformation and Change Leadership concentration. The four-day event, which took place from November 8th~11th, was entitled "Kyoto Creative Game Jam (Games for Good), and was a game development hackathon competition with the theme of solving important social issues. It was held in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe and Innovator's Path - a business association founded by Kyoto-based startups to expand businesses by exchanging information with Silicon Valley companies.

Day 1 of the Game Jam kicked off with welcome speeches from the U.S. Consul General Jason R. Cubas and KUFS President Ono. Then teams came together and started formulating their ideas. The day also consisted of educational workshops on game design methods and social causes, ending with a welcome dinner in Arashiyama. Days 2 and 3 of the event consisted of intense prototyping sessions and play testing, all supported by professional coaches from the gaming world. Day 4 was the big day, where teams presented their final prototypes in front of a panel of judges and an eager audience. Winning teams received four months of mentorship toward developing their games further.

DGS students took both leading and supporting roles in the Game Jam, both as team members and interns. Two 3rd-year GS students - Moe Otsuka and Dang Phong - participated on the same game development team, which created a prototype of a game - called "Stranded" - intended to raise awareness of environmental conservation issues. While their team did not win a prize, the experience was well worth their efforts.

Ms. Moe Otsuka, who contributed to her team as a digital illustrator, had this to say about her experience: "The thing I enjoyed the most was talking to my teammates about what we wanted to make. Even though we had the same goal, we had a lot of different ideas. So it was interesting to hear other people's ideas and making that into a real game through art."

And Mr. Dang Phong, who served as lead programmer, shared his thoughts: "I learned a lot. From game development thinking and the way games are made to the way some small element like sound and music can contribute to making a game become exciting. Not only that, but I learned how to better work with people. So it was a very good experience."

If you are interested in game development, social media, user-interface design, etc., check out our Digital Transformation and Change Leadership concentration in the Department of Global Studies.

Photos by: 長谷川 槙也

From late August to mid-September, 13 Global Studies students travelled to Carbondale, Illinois to participate in a 3-week-long Community Engagement program, affiliated with the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) at Southern Illinois University (SIU).

Each day of the program involved interaction and volunteer work with a variety of local NPOs and organizations connected with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These visits were followed by classroom-based reflection and discussion, culminating in some very insightful and stimulating final presentations.

Among these experiences included working in a soup kitchen, helping elderly people, interacting with people with cognitive disabilities, volunteering at a community garden, leading games and activities on Japanese culture at a local high school, visiting a Japanese manufacturing corporation that is a major local employer, and helping to maintain trails in local forests.

In addition to the educational program, GS students were also able to travel to both St. Louis and Chicago to experience the cities, and some students went on an optional day-trip to Paducah, Kentucky, an historic town on the banks of the Ohio river.

Overall, the program was a resounding success and the students came home with new ideas and lots of stories to tell.

"You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to improve for yourself."

On Tuesday, October 8th, we had the honor of welcoming Angelica Ubina to deliver an inspiring presentation to our students. She not only shared insights about Fabreco, a pioneering textile company founded by three female entrepreneurs, but also spoke on motivation, presentation skills, and business and personal management.

As a Changemaker series guest speaker, Angelica gave us a brief overview of Fabreco and how it is making a significant impact on both the hotel and health industries by providing sustainable and recycled bed linens in a circular economy. Their innovative products not only enhance air quality but also emphasize sustainability and inclusivity.

The talk was both fun and interactive, with Angelica encouraging students to meditate, explore the "happiness advantage," and empower young women to confidently face competition while mastering the art of straightforward presentations with practical tips. She kept everyone engaged throughout the session.

Angelica also motivated students to focus on personal development, sharing encouraging words like, “We are good losers, and we are okay.”

It was an unforgettable event that the Department of Global Studies is incredibly proud of. We gained essential life skills and can't wait to see Fabreco’s continued success. We're also looking forward to our next guest speaker presentation!