Proposals from two iCLA students have been selected for the YGU Student Challenge Program, a long-running initiative by Yamanashi Gakuin University to encourage student leadership and creativity. Out of 28 proposals submitted by students across the departments, only three were chosen. For the first time, proposals from iCLA students have been chosen.
First-year iCLA student You received the highest score in the screening process with her proposal titled “Diversity Exhibition” (ダイバシティ展覧会). Fourth-year iCLA student Kieren received the third highest score with his proposal titled “Show Me Kofu”. Launched in 1995, the YGU Student Challenge Program has supported student-led initiatives for 30 years. The university provides funding for projects that contribute positively to the campus community and local area.
Each year, proposals undergo a rigorous two-stage screening process in which there is a preliminary screening and a secondary screening to decide the winning projects.
The students presented on the content, expected outcomes, potential challenges, and future impact of their proposals.
The year’s eight member panel included the President of Yamanashi Gakuin University, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, Dean of the Faculty of Sport Science, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Associate Dean of International College of Liberal Arts, General Manager of the General Education Center, General Manager of the Global Learning Center, and Representative Executive Director of the drugstore chain, Kusuri no Sun Road.
Words from the Awardees from iCLA
The Diversity Exhibition aims to provide a platform for artists at iCLA to showcase their work off-campus, while also building a community that connects people through diversity and art, within the university and in the local area. You hopes that the event will highlight iCLA’s diverse cultures, especially as iCLA celebrates its 10 anniversary this year.
“It gives the opportunity for the community to see what kind of culture we have in iCLA,” says You about the Diversity Exhibition. “Our campus is far away from the main buildings and many people who come out of the iCLA building are foreigners so it’s harder for them to approach us and it’s also harder for us to approach them. I thought having an event would be a nice gateway to make a community.”
“It’s an exhibition that’s going to be fun and a place to learn about your friend’s culture or other people’s cultures, and a nice place to communicate with the YGU community and the Yamanashi community,” explains You.
For Kieren, the funding from the YGU Student Challenge Program means he can expand the Show Me Kofu events he has been organizing. He plans to book a new venue, Kofu Kameyaza, a beautiful building designed like an Edo-period playhouse and located in the heart of the city. It was built as a place people could connect with and experience the culture and history of Kofu.
“Show Me Kofu is an event that aims to bring together a lot of Kofu’s creatives. When I started going to local events for networking purposes, I noticed two things,” Kieren explains. “Hardly anyone would show up because the posters had quite poor reach, but the quality of the performance was really good. I thought, if there are so many performers who are looking for bigger opportunities to perform, then perhaps we could bring them all together in a place that’s convenient for students.”