UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022

The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 was held online between 2nd August and 23rd August 2022.

The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge is a prestigious annual summer school programme which has a tremendous reputation and impact since 2015. Pre-university students from Japan and the UK attend a series of university-style lectures on a wide range of subjects by academics from leading UK universities including UCL (University College London), and engage in UCL Grand Challenge Workshop. Participants also experience British university student life through staying in halls of residence at the University of Cambridge and UCL.

 

In the eighth year 2022, we hold our programme online. In order to improve quality of this programme, we have increased the number and subjects of lectures, which cover from science, technology, social subjects, and Japanese culture.

 

This programme was established in 2015 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Choshu Five and the Satsuma 19 students’ arrival at UCL. The Choshu Five were the first Japanese students who studied at a UK university, and upon return they played leading roles in modernising Japan. Since then, UCL and Japan have been enjoying close ties.

Why join us?

By participating in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022, you can: 

Experience university style lectures

Experience university education by attending a series of lectures in various subjects, which cover biomedicine, technology and social science.

Learn Japanese culture

Learn Japanese culture from a wide range of lectures and interact with participants from approximately 30 Japanese high schools across the country. You can make friends from Japan!

Study options

Learn how to get studentships to study at Japanese universities. The Embassy of Japan in the UK and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) London, a Japanese funding body, guide you through the studentships.

Engagement

Engage in lectures and activities around topics relating to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment.

More opportunities to learn

Join the Japan Foundation’s programmes. The Japan Foundation, London provides a lecture on information about their programmes.

World-leading lecturers

Explore various fields with world-leading lecturers, engage in dedicated activities, and develop our ideas through participating workshops.

Theme: Innovative Enterprises for Sustainable Future

What is a sustainable society and world? What is our need for human survival? The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) are the key to these questions. SDGs are 17 goals proposed by the United Nation, which are intended to be achieved by 2030. ESG is the three essential elements for a company or organisation to grow.

Sustainable future

In this summer school programme, our participants from Japanese high schools and UK sixth form colleges work together to design solutions to create enterprises and change existing businesses that contribute to global sustainability leveraging the concepts of SDGs and ESG. You need to be a disruptive and creative thinker. You will tackle a challenge of building a sustainable business by applying ‘design thinking’ techniques. You will be discussing in a group of diverse thinkers and deriving your solution in the end. You also have opportunities to consolidate your understanding about SDGs and ESG through lectures. After this journey, you will be ready to see the world through the lens of a top-notch design thinker.

UCL Grand Challenge Workshop

UCL Grand Challenges

As part of the programme, we host UCL Grand Challenge Workshop on this year’s theme: Innovative Enterprises for Sustainable Future, in Week 3 (please see Programme outline below).

UCL Grand Challenges is an initiative of the UCL Vice-Provost (Research) to bring researchers from across UCL interdisciplinarily, which have changed the way researchers investigate the world’s problems, since 2009.

There are six UCL Grand Challenges; Global Health, Sustainable Cities, Cultural Understanding, Human Wellbeing, Justice & Equality, and Transformative Technology.

UCL Grand Challenge Workshop during the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge focuses on one of these challenges every year.

UCL Grand Challenge of Justice & Equality
UCL Grand Challenge of Transformative Technology
UCL Grand Challenge of Global Health
UCL Grand Challenge of Sustainable Cities
UCL Grand Challenge of Cultural Understanding
UCL Grand Challenge of Human Wellbeing
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - UCL Grand Challenge Workshop illustration

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022, UCL Grand Challenge Workshop illustation by Scriberia

Programme outline

Dates: 2nd August – 23rd August 2022 (4 weeks, weekdays only)

 

* Weeks 1 – 4 on Tuesdays are the main programme events and full attendance is required.

Various lectures will be held on other weekdays. A minimum attendance of eight (8) lectures is required.

 

Time: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm in UK time (BST)

 

Activities:

1. UCL Grand Challenge Workshop

2. A series of lectures

We host a number of academic lectures, which cover science, technology, and social subjects.

This includes a lecture on haiku, Japanese poems of 17 syllables.

We provide information on how to go on to Japanese universities for participants based in the UK. UCL explains how to enter universities in the UK, especially for participants from Japanese high schools.

WeekMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
11st

2nd

9.00 - 11.00

Introduction
3rd

13.00 - 16.00

[For UK based participants]
Face-to-face lectures & UCL campus tour

[Optional for participants from Japanese high schools]
Online live-streaming lectures (excluding UCL campus tour)

Lectures

1. Foundation of current Japan was established by UCL — Prof Shin-ichi Ohnuma, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology & Chair of the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee

2. The Genes and Neurons of Sleep — Prof Jason Rihel, UCL



UCL campus tour
(No live-streaming)
4th

Lectures

9.00 - 10.00
An introduction to Modern Corporate Sustainability — Prof Paolo Taticchi, UCL School of Management



10.00 - 11.00
Quantum mechanics and nanotechnology — Prof David Bowler, UCL



11.00 - 12.00
An Introduction to Linguistics and Linguistics Olympiad — Mr Kazune Sato, UCL alumnus
5th

Lectures

9.00 - 10.00
Emissions trading and climate policy: European experience — Prof Stephen Smith, UCL



10.00 - 11.00
Scholarship for Japanese University — Embassy of Japan in the UK & Overview of JSPS and International Programmes — JSPS London



11.00 - 12.00
Data analytics and ESG — Dr Karima Dyussekeneva, UCL School of Management
28th

9th

9.00 - 11.30

Academic Lectures

1. Transforming Our World: You as Agent for Transformation & Innovative Enterprises for Sustainable Future — Prof Toshiya Hoshino, Osaka University

2. Leadership Under Uncertainty — Dr Jim Berry, UCL School of Management
10th

Lectures

9.00 - 10.00
An introduction to the Japan Foundation — Ms Iona Vos, The Japan Foundation, London



10.00 - 11.00
Neuroplasticity in the visual cortices — Dr Jennifer Sun, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology



11.00 - 12.00
Use of viruses to respond to public health emergency — Dr Giada Mattiuzzo, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
11th

Lectures

9.00 - 10.00
Auction Theory: the four standard auctions — Dr Manzur Rashid, UCL School of Management



10.00 - 11.00
Surviving on Challenges Together: Teamwork and team resilience — Dr Sunny Lee, UCL School of Management



11.00 - 12.00
English-language haiku — Ms Caroline Skanne, British Haiku Society
12th

Lectures

9.00 - 10.00
From the Milky Way to the Deep Universe — Prof Daisuke Kawata, UCL



10.00 - 11.00

[For participants from Japanese high schools—delivered in Japanese]

Scholarship program of Yanai Tadashi Foundation and Yanai scholars’ session — Mr T Tanaka, Yanai Tadashi Foundation



11.00 - 12.00
Using Stem Cells to Understand and Treat Vision Loss — Dr Amanda Carr, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
315th

16th

9.00 - 11.30

UCL Grand Challenge Workshop
17th

9.00 - 11.00/12.00
(Guidance only, depending on the group)

Preparation for Presentation
18th

9.00 - 11.00/12.00
(Guidance only, depending on the group)

Preparation for Presentation
19th

9.00 - 11.00/12.00
(Guidance only, depending on the group)

Preparation for Presentation
422nd

23rd

9.00 - 12.00

Presentation & Final Ceremony
24th

25th

26th

Fee

 

The fee below covers the complete cost of the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022.

To secure your place on the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022, you will need to pay your fees in full. Details of how to pay your fees will be provided as part of the application process.

 

£50

 

* Our standard programme fee was £200.00, however by courtesy of various sponsors in the UK, we are pleased to announce that the fee for UK based participants has been reduced to £50.00.

Homework

 

In order to deepen participants’ understanding of this year’s theme, homework will be provided in July.

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 & the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

 

Normally, the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge may count for your Gold Duke of Ediburgh’s Award (DofE) through the Residential section.

Your participation in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge on its own does not grant a DofE Award.

 

The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 is held fully online.

Therefore, this year’s programme does not count for your Gold DofE programme.

Academic Lectures in Week 2

Prof Toshiya Hoshino

Transforming Our World: You as Agent for Transformation & Innovative Enterprises for Sustainable Future

 

Prof Toshiya Hoshino

Professor

Osaka School of International Public Policy

Osaka University

 

Former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent

 

Mission of Japan to the United Nations

 

Former Executive Vice President, Osaka University

Learn more

Until July 2020 for three years, Dr. Hoshino served as an Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations in New York in charge of socio-economic and budgetary affairs. His previous positions have included: Vice-President (Global Engagement) of Osaka University; Minister-Counsellor in charge of political affairs at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN; Senior Research Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs; Guest Scholar at Columbia University; Visiting Fellow, Princeton University; and Special Assistant (Political Affairs) at the Embassy of Japan to the United States. He graduated from Sophia University, Japan, completed a Master’s at the University of Tokyo, and received his PhD from Osaka University.

Dr Jim Berry

Leadership Under Uncertainty

 

Dr Jim Berry

Lecturer (assistant professor)

Director – The UCL MBA

UCL School of Management

UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences

Learn more

Jim Berry is a leading member of University College London’s School of Management. He is currently serving as the founding Director for the UCL MBA and an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) with the Organisations and Innovation Group. He is an award winning teacher and researcher. He earned his PhD in Organizational Behaviour from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and continues to teach negotiations in their global MBA programs.

Jim is primarily engaged in the areas of creativity, innovation, motivation, negotiations, leading change, and strategic planning. His research is focused on how leaders can maximize the creativity of their employees and stakeholders to innovate and provide strategic direction for their organisations. His research has been published in the Academy of Management Journal (with Adam Grant), Academy of Management Review (with Sarah Harvey), Organizational Research Methods (with Jeff Edwards), Journal of Business Venturing Insights (with Janice Sanchez) and cited in many books and articles. In practice, he has facilitated leadership, change management, innovation, and strategic planning efforts for groups including: Apple, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Goldman Sachs 10KSB, Honeywell, Lufthansa, HSBC, and the Red Cross, among many others. Additionally, he has directed the development of a Strategic Innovation Program for growth businesses funded by the UK government. Jim brings a diverse background to his work, previously: founding a software company, starting a strategic consultancy group, leading technology R&D efforts, coaching Olympic athletes, and writing anti-terrorism textbooks.

Lecture details

From Dr Jim Berry:

Many times leaders seem superhuman as they drive our countries and businesses, making crucial decisions that effect all of our lives. In this talk, I break down the myths of the all-knowing leader and portray true leadership as acting with courage under uncertainty. The world is facing many challenges from climate change to increasing in equality. We need to encourage more of our citizens to take responsible action rather than abdicating choice to just a few ‘leaders’. This talk helps refocus leadership around experimentation – allowing for failure as we act and learn. Leaders are not perfect and we should not hold ourselves to that standard before we take charge of our own futures.

Lectures

 

Science/medicine

Prof Jason Rihel

The Genes and Neurons of Sleep

 

Prof Jason Rihel

Professor of Behavioural Genetics

Cell and Developmental Biology

Division of Biosciences

UCL Faculty of Life Sciences

Learn more

Dr. Rihel uses molecular and behavioral genetics to probe the mysteries of sleep and arousal in zebrafish. His research focus flows naturally from a lifelong interest in the molecular and neuronal underpinnings of innate behaviors. He started his career in behavioral genetics as an undergraduate (1994-1998) in Dr. Jeff Price’s lab at West Virginia University by investigating the fruit fly circadian clock mutant, double-time. After obtaining his PhD at Harvard University with Professor Catherine Dulac (1998-2004), Dr. Rihel then went on to develop methods to study sleep in zebrafish in Prof. Alexander Schier’s lab at Harvard, publishing some of the first papers to demonstrate that fish have sleep-like states governed by similar genes and neurons that regulate sleep in humans. Since 2013, Dr Rihel has run his own research lab at University College London, where he continues to study the intersection of sleep and disease. His research has been funded by the European Research Council, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the BBSRC, and the Wellcome Trust.

Prof Stephen Smith

Emissions trading and climate policy: European experience

 

Prof Stephen Smith

Professor of Economics

Department of Economics

UCL Faculty of Social & Historical Sciences

Learn more

Stephen Smith is a Professor of Economics at University College London. He began his career as a UK government economist, and then worked for 12 years with a leading independent think-tank, the Institute for Fiscal Studies. His research covers environmental economics and the economics of tax policy.

Dr Giada Mattiuzzo

Use of viruses to respond to public health emergency

 

Dr Giada Mattiuzzo

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Learn more

Dr. Giada Mattiuzzo is a principal scientist in the Vaccines (R&D) team within the Science, Research and Innovation group at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in the UK. Dr. Mattiuzzo obtained her PhD in molecular virology from University College London, UK. She moved to the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), now part of the MHRA. Her research interests focus on assay development for serology of emerging viruses and viral vectors. She is the project leader for the development World Health Organization (WHO) International Standards projects on several emerging viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, Rift Valley fever Virus, Lassa virus and Nipah virus.

Dr Jennifer Sun

Neuroplasticity in the visual cortices

 

Dr Jennifer Sun

Lecturer

Institute of Ophthalmology

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences

 

Affiliate

Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour

Learn more

Dr Sun completed her undergraduate thesis from Peking University studying neuronal network and visual circuit assembly. Her PhD research at University of Southern California focused on circuit computation and sensory cortical development using both computational and systems approaches. During her postdoc training at UC San Francisco, Dr Sun worked with Drs Roger Nicoll and Michael Stryker to apply molecular techniques, electrophysiology, and 2-photon imaging to study the cellular and circuit mechanisms of neuroplasticity in developing and adult brain.

Dr Sun recently joined UCL Institute of Ophthalmology to start her independent research. The Visual Plasticity Lab studies how neuroplasticity in the visual systems is regulated through interaction in the local environment as well as crosstalk between different brain regions. They apply state-of-art imaging techniques, together with computational, physiological, pharmacological, and molecular manipulation, to identify the underlying biological basis of visual cortical plasticity.

Lecture details

From Dr Jennifer Sun:

We rely heavily on our vision to navigate through our daily life. Our visual system can display changes exhibit long-lasting modification in neuronal activities and synaptic connections in response to sensory experience. In this talk, I will introduce the visual plasticity in human visions and then talk about research studying the neural basis of this process and the potential intervention to boost up plasticity in the adult brain.

Prof Daisuke Kawata

From the Milky Way to the Deep Universe

 

Prof Daisuke Kawata

Professor of Astronomy

Department of Space & Climate Physics & Mullard Space Science Laboratory

UCL Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Learn more

Daisuke Kawata is studying the formation history of the Milky Way at Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), UCL. His main research topic is so-called Galactic Archaeology, revealing the formation history of the Milky Way from the detailed observation of the current picture of the Milky Way. Galactic Archaeology is now having an exciting time, because European Space Agency (ESA)’s Gaia mission (launched in 2013) is providing the unprecedentedly accurately measured position and motion (astrometry) of about one billion stars in the Milky Way. Combining the Gaia data with the other data from the space- and ground-based telescopes in the world, they are studying how the ancient merger with another galaxy about 10 billion years ago impacted the formation of the Galactic disk structures, when and how the bar structure of the Milky Way formed, the physical mechanism creating the beautiful spiral arm structures in the Galactic disk and where the Sun formed in the Milky Wan and travelled to the current location, using the numerical simulations and data science techniques. He is also involved in the future astrometry missions in Japan, JASMINE (Janan AStrometry MIssion for INfrared Exploration) as the Project Scientist and in Europe, GaiaNIR mission concept as a member of the expert science group. He obtained his Doctor of Science from Tohoku University in 2000. He was a postdoctoral researcher at Swinburne University, Australia (2000-2005) and Carnegie Observatories, USA (2005-2008, partly as a JSPS fellow). He is working at UCL since 2008.

Lecture details

From Prof Daisuke Kawata:

I will give an introductory lecture of the structures in the Universe. The lecture will introduce the structure of our own Galaxy, the Milky Way, which harbours the beautiful disk and spiral arms and the super massive black hole at the centre. Then, we will have a journey from the local Universe to the deep Universe, including the early epoch of our Universe now captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Dr Amanda Carr

Using Stem Cells to Understand and Treat Vision Loss

 

Dr Amanda Carr

Lecturer

Institute of Ophthalmology

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences

Learn more

Amanda started her research career examining the molecular effects of light on seasonal and daily biological rhythms during her PhD at the University of Manchester and for her first post-doctoral position at UCL. Amanda moved to the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in 2006, working with Professor Pete Coffey on The London Project to Cure Blindness to develop a cellular therapy for age-related macular degeneration using human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium.

Amanda is currently a lecturer and deputy lead for Rescue, Repair and Regeneration at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. Her current research focuses on using induced pluripotent stem cells to model diseases that affect the retinal pigment epithelium, a single layer of cells that keep the retina healthy. This work is providing important insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind vision loss and new approaches to treat degenerative and inherited forms of blindness.

Engineering/physics

Prof Paolo Taticchi, OMRI

An introduction to Modern Corporate Sustainability

 

Prof Paolo Taticchi, OMRI

Deputy Director (MBA and Global Engagement)

Professor (Education)

UCL School of Management

UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences

Learn more

Professor Paolo Taticchi is Professor (Education) in Strategy and Sustainability & School Deputy Director (MBA, Global Engagement, Executive Education) at UCL School of Management.

Paolo’s research on corporate sustainability and performance measurement is internationally recognised. Paolo’s last book is titled “Corporate Sustainability in Practice” and was published in January 2021. Outside of the academy, Paolo has significant consultancy experience in the fields of strategy, education, and sustainability. He has worked in this capacity for firms of various sizes, and in a range of different industries. Today, he advices (or serves in the advisory board) influential organisations and is one of the scientific advisors of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition in Italy.

He has received numerous awards for the impact of his work. His projects, quotes and opinions have been featured over 300 times in international media outlets. In 2021, Paolo was indicated by Italian’s leading business daily Sole 24 Ore as the most influential Italian under the age of 40.

Prof David Bowler

Quantum mechanics and nanotechnology

 

Prof David Bowler

Professor of Physics

Department of Physics & Astronomy

UCL Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Learn more

David Bowler is a computational physicist, using computers to run quantum mechanical calculations of the properties of materials. Working in close collaboration with groups in Japan and France, he has developed an approach that can provide accurate calculations for millions of atoms. David applies these methods to understanding the properties of nanometre scale structures on semiconductor surfaces.

Lecture details

From Prof David Bowler:

I will give a brief introduction to some of the ideas that underlie quantum mechanics and nanotechnology, and explain why both are important. I will then describe how we can use some of the features of quantum mechanics to perform extremely sensitive measurements of atomic structures on surfaces, and to perform calculations of these same surfaces. I will discuss how it is important for experimental and theoretical approaches to work together to understand fully the properties of the nanoscale.

Dr Karima Dyussekeneva

Data analytics and ESG

 

Dr Karima Dyussekeneva

Lecturer (Education)

UCL School of Management

UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences

Learn more

Dr. Karima Dyussekeneva is a lecturer in the School of Management, Director of the Analytics Lab. She has a PhD in Information Decision Making from the University of Bath.

Prior to entering academia, she worked in the telecommunications industry in domains including new product development, sales forecasting and marketing analysis. She advised a number of organisations and companies in both the public and private sector, including major international brands, in forecasting and predictive analytics.

Her current research interests focus on predictive analytics and data mining, machine learning and artificial intelligence, forecasting, decision making and business analytics in the interdisciplinary fields of management, computer science, finance and healthcare.

Lecture details

From Dr Karima Dyussekeneva:

This lecture will introduce students to the concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and the role of data analytics in assisting organisations in sustainable operations. In the era of digital transformation, information systems and data analytics have become indispensable means of strategic developments and contributions to environmental, social and economic improvements.

While a ‘data driven’ approach to organisational advancements is not a new concept, the newly emerging technologies challenge established analytics techniques and call for continuous enhancement in tackling new challenges.

Dr Manzur Rashid

Auction Theory: the four standard auctions

 

Dr Manzur Rashid

Associate Professor (Education)

UCL School of Management

UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences

Learn more

Manzur graduated with a Double First in Economics from Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was elected to Junior, Senior and Research Scholarships.

Manzur completed his doctoral studies in economic theory at UCL under the supervision of Martin Cripps FBA, where he specialised in game theory, bounded rationality and industrial organisation.

Manzur has taught economics at UCL since 2009. He has also taught at the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics. In a previous life, Manzur spent time training as a pilot with the RAF, worked on the trading floor of Barclays Capital, in commercial real estate at Slaughter and May, taught at Charterhouse and worked for Jeremy Corbyn MP in the House of Commons. He has acted as an expert consultant to the UN in Bahrain, British Dental Association (BDA) and Control Risks. Manzur is the author of ‘Macroeconomics for Dummies’. Part of the world famous ‘for Dummies’ series of books.

Manzur grew up in London, not far from UCL. He has also lived in Jordan, Bahrain and North Carolina. He is fluent in Bangla and is working on his Arabic.

Dr Sunny Lee

Surviving on Challenges Together: Teamwork and team resilience

 

Dr Sunny Lee

Deputy Director (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Associate Professor

UCL School of Management

UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences

Learn more

Dr Sunny Lee works as an associate professor of organizational behavior (OB) and the head of diversity at the UCL School of Management. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from the Seoul National University, a M.P.P. from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in OB from the London Business School. Before entering academia, Dr Lee worked as a consultant at Accenture, LG Ad, and Hewlett Packard for about several years.

Since she joined the School in 2014, she has taught negotiation courses to broad audience including masters and MBAs at UCL, Peking University, London Business School and Met Police Officers. As the Athena SWAN lead and the head of diversity at the School, she is committed to making their School a diverse and positive place where talents can thrive, and people feel happy and included.

Humanities/the arts

Kazune Sato

An Introduction to Linguistics and Linguistics Olympiad

 

Mr Kazune Sato

UCL alumnus

Learn more

Kazune Sato is an aspiring theoretical linguist who graduated from UCL in July 2022 with BA (Hons) in Linguistics. Having self-taught 8+ languages, prior to coming to UCL he competed in the IOL (International Linguistics Olympiad) as a contestant, representing Japan. He is currently involved in the administration of United Kingdom Linguistics Olympiad (UKLO) as Marker Coordinator and Test Development, Japan Linguistics Olympiad (JOL) as Board Member and Jury, and Asia-Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO) as member of the International Jury. He is also part of the Undergraduate Linguistics Association of Britain (ULAB) as National Webmaster and Puzzles Section Editor for their quarterly magazine, U-Lingua. His main research interests are syntactic theory and Japanese linguistics.

Education

Embassy of Japan in the UK

Scholarship for Japanese University

 

Ms Yoshiko Matsunaga

First secretary

Embassy of Japan in the UK

Learn more

Yoshiko Matsunaga is a First secretary working for the Embassy of Japan in the UK.

Lecture details

From Ms Yoshiko Matsunaga: 

I will talk through Scholarship program (MEXT) from the UK to Japanese universities.

JSPS London

Overview of JSPS and International Programmes

 

Ms Hyori Jeon

International Programme Associate

JSPS London

Learn more

Hyori Jeon is an International Programme Associate in the London office of JSPS, which is the largest and core research funding organisation in Japan and promotes scientific research collaboration between Japan and other countries.

Lecture details

From Ms Hyori Jeon:

If you want to do research during your university years or are interested in the research experience in Japan, today’s talk will be useful in the near future: an overview of the JSPS and its international fellowship programmes for young researchers will be presented.

The Japan Foundation

An introduction to the Japan Foundation

 

Ms Iona Vos

Assistant Programme Officer for Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange

The Japan Foundation, London

Learn more

Ms Iona Vos is the Assistant Programme Officer for Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange at the Japan Foundation, London. The Japan Foundation promotes international cultural exchange between Japan and the rest of the world, providing support for a range of international cultural exchange programmes in the fields of Arts and Culture, Japanese Language, and Japanese Studies.

UCL

Introducing UCL’s Undergraduate Programmes & International Foundation Year

 

Mr Martin White

Marketing, Communications & Business Development Manager

UCL Centre for Languages & International Education

Learn more

Martin White leads on student recruitment strategy and operations for the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education (CLIE). He overseas marketing and communications for UCL’s pre-degree courses for international students, raising the profile of these courses across 5 world regions alongside UCL degree programmes. This includes: conversion activities; building relationships with key educational, governmental and commercial stakeholders; market and competitor research; managing a network of educational agents.

After leaving university Martin lived in Japan for three years, teaching English. His love for travelling and different cultures continues.

Lecture details

From Mr Martin White:

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates are foundation courses for international students whose high school qualifications do not allow direct admission to an undergraduate degree.

Students from Japanese high schools will need a foundation year if they wish to study their undergraduate degree at UCL.

The session will introduce the course and what we are looking for in suitable applicants.

Yanai Tadashi Foundation

Scholarship program of Yanai Tadashi Foundation and Yanai scholars’ session

 

Mr T Tanaka

Yanai Tadashi Foundation

Learn more

T Tanaka has been in charge of scholarship program at the Yanai Tadashi Foundation for four years. He would like you to understand our founder’s aspiration, our mission and vision.

Lecture details

From Mr T Tanaka:

We will share our scholarship program for Japanese students who are going to enter University of US or UK.
In addition this, we have these program below with Yanai Scholars.

  • Introduction to UK universities
  • The Application Process
  • Panel Discussion: why we chose the UK
  • Q&A

The Yanai Tadashi Foundation supports aspiring and passionate students to acquire advanced knowledge on a global level. At the same time, it fosters community connecting the scholars to each other intellectually, encouraging them to utilize and enhance their talents. We hope that Yanai Tadashi Foundation scholars will lead various fields of society with a sense of mission in the future and take action with us to realize a better society and pass it on to the next generation.

Prof Shin-ichi Ohnuma

Foundation of current Japan was established by UCL

 

Prof Shin-ichi Ohnuma

Professor

Institute of Ophthalmology

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences

 

Chair

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee

Learn more

Shin-Ichi Ohnuma is Chair of the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge.

Shin-Ichi started this summer school after celebration of the 150th anniversary of UK-Japan Academic Interaction in 2013 and 2015, aiming to facilitate interaction between UK and Japanese young students and to educate future leaders in an international society.

This summer school is supported by many lecturers and supporting staff.

He hopes that all of the participants enjoy the programme.

Lecture details

From Prof Shin-Ichi Ohnuma:

In 1863, five Japanese students came to UCL. They are Hirobumi Ito, Kaoru Inoue, Yozo Yamao, Masaru Inoue, Kinsuke Endo and are known as Choshu-Five. Two years later, other 19 students came to UCL. They are known as Satsuma 19. After their returning to Japan, they had outstanding contribution to foundation of modern Japan after Japanese revolution in 1867. UCL Japanese Alumni created the first Cabinet of Japanese Government in 1885. Hirobumi Ito became the first Prime Minister. Kaoru Inoue, Arinori Mori, and Yozo Yamao became Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education, and Law, respectively. I will talk the history of UCL and Japan interaction and its environment in the UK and Japan. I hope that you contribute to the interaction between the UK and Japan in the future.

Japanese culture

Lecturer

English-language haiku

 

Ms Caroline Skanne

Editor of Blithe Spirit (journal of the British Haiku Society) & hedgerow

Learn more

Caroline Skanne is the founder & editor of ‘hedgerow: a journal of small poems’ & has edited ‘Blithe Spirit’ (the journal of the British Haiku Society) since 2019. Born in Stockholm Sweden, she now resides in a village by the river Medway, UK.

Affiliations are correct as of August 2022

Programme highlights

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 1 Screenshot 1
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 1 Screenshot 2
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 1 Screenshot 3
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 1 Screenshot 4
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 1 Screenshot 5
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 1 Screenshot 6

Week1: Introduction

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - 3rd August 2022 - Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - 3rd August 2022 - UCL Main Quad
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - 3rd August 2022 - UCL Japanese Garden

Face-to-face lectures & UCL campus tour on 3rd August 2022

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 2 Screenshot 1
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 2 Screenshot 2
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 2 Screenshot 3
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 2 Screenshot 4
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UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 2 Screenshot 6
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - Lectures on 12th August 2022 Screenshot 1
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - Lectures on 12th August 2022 Screenshot 2
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - Lectures on 12th August 2022 Screenshot 3
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - Lectures on 12th August 2022 Screenshot 4
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - Lectures on 12th August 2022 Screenshot 5
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - Lectures on 12th August 2022 Screenshot 6

Lectures on 12th August 2022

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 1
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 2
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 3
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 4
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 5
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UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 10
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 11
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 3 Screenshot 12
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 1
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 2
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 3
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UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 4
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 5
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 9
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 7
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 6
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 9
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 10
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 11
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 12
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 13
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 14
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 15
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UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 18
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 19
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 20
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 21
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 22
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 23
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 22
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 23
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 24
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Photoshoot 3
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Photoshoot 1
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Screenshot 25
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Photoshoot 3
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Photoshoot 4
UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 Week 4 Photoshoot 5

Week 4: Presentation & Final Ceremony

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022 - UCL Grand Challenge Workshop illustration

UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2022, UCL Grand Challenge Workshop illustation by Scriberia

This summer school programme is organised by the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee.

Japan Foundation
Rikkyo School in England
UK Japan Institute

In collaboration with Shimizu Corporation and UCL Grand Challenges

Shimizu Corporation
UCL Grand Challenges
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