Eikei University held the Jump Start Workshop (JSW) for newly enrolled students of the Autumn 2026 intake over five days, from September 28 (Mon.) to October 2 (Fri.).
JSW is an introductory program designed to help new students make a smooth transition into university life. In addition to participating in various orientations that provide the foundations for campus life, students took two introductory courses, “Introduction to Social System Design” and “Introduction to Project Based Learning,” through which they experienced the distinctive learning approach of Eikei University.
General Orientation 1
The orientation program began with a welcome speech by President ARINOBU Mutsuhiro.
Students then participated in the workshop “Introduction to Diversity at EUH,” led by Associate Professor HIGGINBOTHAM George. During the session, students exchanged ideas on topics such as “What do we mean by diversity?” and “Is EUH diverse?”
Sharing their experiences and perspectives with fellow students from different countries and regions provided a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of diversity while building new connections.
Your Digital Campus Guide
From the evening of the first day through the morning of the second day, students attended “Your Digital Campus Guide,” conducted by Professor TSUCHIMOTO Yasuo.
At Eikei University of Hiroshima, we place strong emphasis on the development of digital literacy and thinking skills, including ICT, data science, logical thinking, design thinking, and systems thinking.
To equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a society where technologies such as IoT and AI are rapidly evolving, the University provides its own network environment and has adopted a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach since its establishment. During the session, students learned how to use university systems and digital tools by working on their own laptops.
General Orientation 2
Students also attended guidance sessions on the curriculum and course registration, along with welcome remarks from Dean ISHIKAWA Masanobu, and Course Chair KAWASE Maki.
The sessions helped students gain a better understanding of the academic journey leading to graduation and the course registration system. They listened attentively as they prepared for the start of their studies at Eikei University.
Introduction to Social System Design
Students also took an introductory course on Social System Design (SSD), which forms the core of learning at Eikei University. The course was delivered in an omnibus format by multiple faculty members. Throughout seven class sessions during JSW, students learned the fundamental concepts of SSD.
Beginning with questions such as “What makes a society ‘good’?” and “How can we make it happen?”, students engaged in group work and discussions. By examining social issues and the structure of society from diverse perspectives, they deepened their understanding of SSD and practiced expressing their own ideas in their own words.
Introduction to Project Based Learning
In “Introduction to Project Based Learning,” taught by Lecturer MATSUURA Yasuyuki, students learned the foundations of Project Based Learning (PBL), one of the distinctive features of Eikei University.
Through group discussions, students identified social issues that interested them, examined the background and causes of those issues, and explored possible solutions. In the final session, each group presented its ideas and shared perspectives with fellow students.
Through this process, students developed a sense of ownership toward social issues and had an opportunity to consider the direction of their future studies.
In their 2nd and 3rd years, students will further develop these skills by tackling real-world issues provided by companies and organizations—from identifying root causes to propose solutions.
Interaction with buddy students, Campus Tour
On the final day, new students met with current students serving as “Buddies,” who support international students throughout their university life.
Through recreational games and activities, new students and Buddy students interacted in a relaxed atmosphere and deepened their friendships.
During the campus tour, Buddy students guided small groups, introducing key facilities frequently used by students, including Eikei Top, the EUH Cafeteria, the Career Design Office, and the Library. The tour helped new students become familiar with the campus where they will spend the next four years.
After the tour, Buddy students also assisted new students with completing necessary paperwork, helping them begin their new lives in Japan with confidence.
Through the Jump Start Workshop, new students-built connections with their peers learned how to approach their studies at university and prepared themselves for the start of full-scale learning in the Autumn Quarter.