The Opening Ceremony for the first semester Short-Term Exchange Students was held for the 2026 academic year.

On April 9, we held an opening ceremony on the first floor of Meitoku Hall to welcome the short-term exchange students for the first semester of the 2026 academic year. This semester, we welcomed 23 exchange students from 10 countries and regions: France, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan.

At the opening ceremony, President Yuko Ishida delivered a welcome address and personally presented each student with their matriculation certificate. The exchange students appeared full of anticipation as they prepared to begin their new academic journey.

Following the opening ceremony, students from the university’s intercultural communication group, “ViVA,” led a campus tour for the exchange students. During the tour, they showed the students around key facilities such as the library, gymnasium, and bookstore, and explained the procedures necessary for university life, including how to purchase meal tickets at the cafeteria. They also visited various administrative offices that the exchange students will use in the future and interacted with the staff there.

The campus tour also helped students bond with one another. The students enjoyed each other’s company in a lively atmosphere.

*“ViVA” is a volunteer group composed of Japanese students and full-time international students at Hiroshima University of Economics.
In addition to supporting short-term exchange students with their campus life and daily routines, the group aims to foster mutual understanding of each other’s cultures and values through interaction with students from various countries. Through active initiatives such as planning and organizing welcome events for international students and international exchange activities, it is hoped that the members themselves develop their international awareness and broaden their global perspectives.