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JIGE is an educational and workforce development initiative promoted by Kansai University, Chiba University, and Tohoku University. This project started in 2023 and will be promoted as MEXT’s Inter-University Exchange Project until 2028. Aimed at a diverse audience from high school students to professionals, the project offers specialized virtual learning spaces containing interactive COIL/Virtual Exchange modules. These modules grant stackable micro-credentials, providing a pathway to higher education and career development.
In addition, JIGE offers a variety of internship opportunities, including remote and business travel, varying in duration from one month to one year. JIGE also plans to expand its offerings to students by adhering to strict guidelines to ensure quality and gain international recognition. A total of 31 foreign universities have agreed to participate in the project (as of March 2024).
JIGE is collaborating with Japan Virtual Campus (JV-Campus), the first online international education platform in Japan operated by the Japan Forum for Internationalization, a university consortium funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and led by the University of Tsukuba. JIGE will develop a digital platform on JV-Campus for remote and on-site internship activities that students from abroad and in Japan can register and participate in.
In addition, the Blended Mobility Programs (BM) which combine online collaborative learning with on-site immersive study abroad will be implemented. We intend to establish and spread BM as a practice of international education in Japan, which has entered a new phase after the pandemic.
Blended Mobility
Future Ready Talents
Digital Credentialing
JIGE is an educational and workforce development initiative promoted by Kansai University, Chiba University, and Tohoku University. This project started in 2023 and will be promoted as MEXT’s Inter-University Exchange Project until 2028.
A diverse blend of organic integration and international education customized for each student.
Guarantee the quality of online education
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Learning evaluation and assessment
COIL/VE education methodology
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Verification of learning effects
Learning while long-term studying abroad
Timeless Learning Digital certificates and learning history to approve credits
Hands-on Research・Internship
Conducting joint research by universities and companies
Achievement of deepening and evolving learning
Implementing online-based learning and on-site fieldwork to achieve multi-dimensional, multi-faceted learning
Establishment of various degrees and cooperative degrees
Forming collaborative Education Module
DX to enable career development
Implementing career education without physical mobility
Online learning to prepare for study abroad
Japanese learning and English learning
Digital certificates of participation in COIL/VE International Education Study
The micro credentials (MC) have two sides: the educational program and proof of the educational program's history.
Micro Credentials:
1）It is a record of a subject-focused learning outcome that demonstrates what the learner knows, understands, or can do.
2）It includes an assessment based on clearly defined criteria and is awarded by a reputable provider.
3）It has value on its own, and in addition, may form part of or complement other micro or macro credentials (including recognition of previously earned credentials).
4）Must meet the standards required by the relevant quality assurance.
UNESCO, Towards a common definition of micro-credentials,
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381668, 2022, (current as of February 7th, 2023)
In the Spain BM program, COIL was conducted with Kansai University, Chiba University, Tohoku University, Florida International University, CEU (Cardenal Herrera University), and URV (Universidad Rovira i Virgili), and students gathered in Tarragona, Spain to conduct fieldwork on urban changes, buildings, and people's lifestyle that connect from ancient to modern times.
In the Malaysia BM program, COIL was conducted in cooperation with UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and UNC (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and field training on the theme of sustainability was conducted at the UKM campus near Kuala Lumpur.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Kapiolani Community College, and Kansai University collaborated to conduct a COIL under the theme of sustainability, where participants learned about environmental and social changes before and after the community-based Corona disaster in Honolulu and Hilo.
Kansai University
Osamu Takeuchi
Kansai University
Keiko Ikeda
Kansai University
Alexander Bennett
Kansai University
Tomoki Furukawa
Kansai University
Don Bysouth
Kansai University
Aisyah Astari
Kansai University
Kinnosuke Manabe
Chiba University
Hiroaki Ozawa
Chiba University
Ken Wada
Chiba University
Naoki Sakiyama
Chiba University
Moe Otsuka
Tohoku University
Masahiro Yamaguchi
Tohoku University
Kazuko Suematsu
Tohoku University
Yoshitaka Kasukabe
Tohoku University
Yuki Watabe
Tohoku University
Junna Minato
Osamu Takeuchi, Ph.D., is a professor in the Faculty of Foreign Language Studies. He currently serves as Vice President of Kansai University and Dean of the Division of International Affairs. He is now leading Kansai University's efforts in the “Blended Mobility Project for Society 5.0 Human Resources," a joint project of Kansai University, Tohoku University, and Chiba University, as Director of the Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE). His research covers a wide range of topics, including L2 learner factors such as learning strategies and motivation, and media-assisted L2 learning He is also involved in writing the MEXT-authorized English textbooks currently used in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Keiko Ikeda is a Professor in the Division of International Affairs, and KU-COIL Coordinator at Kansai University. Recently, she has taken the role as the principal project manager for the Inter-University Exchange Project funded by MEXT, 2018-2022 ("COIL Plus Program to Develop Global Career Mindset"). Keiko is Vice-Director for the newly established organization at Kansai University, Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE). She has a Ph.D. from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, specializing in Japanese linguistics, foreign language education, and conversation analysis. Her interests in the international education field are internationalization at home, constructing active learning programs collaborating with universities overseas. Keiko also plays a vital role in another line of the on-going government-funded project, SUCCESS-Osaka Project (2017-2021). It promotes the employability of international students who have studied in Japan.
Alex is professional in publishing, managing courses, coordinating research, and enhancing international program operations.With over 30 years of experience in Japan, Alex has acted as a critical bridge between cultures, as well as the gateway to understanding Japan for thousands of people through his writing and educational courses.
Tomoki Furukawa is a Professor in the Division of International Affairs, and Vice Director of Center for International Education at Kansai university. He holds his Ph.D. degree in Literature from Nagoya University in 2011. He has been involved in Japanese language education since he was a university student at various educational institutions, including volunteer Japanese language classes in the community, Japanese language classes in companies, Japanese language schools, public/private universities in Japan, and universities in China (2005-07). In recent years, he has been interested in ICT-based Japanese language education and has been conducting research mainly on e-portfolio, blended learning, and flipped classrooms, pursuing learner-centered teaching and efficient and effective language learning.
Don holds a PhD in Psychology from Murdoch University, Australia. His research has explored a range of social psychological themes and topics with a common focus on analyzing human social interaction. Don has worked at universities in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan with extensive experience in developing, implementing, and assessing university level programs delivered at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His current work seeks to further develop and promote a range of COIL related activities in Japan and internationally.
Aisyah has a Ph.D. in East Asia Sustainable Economic Development Studies from Kyoto University, Japan. Her educational background includes marketing, business, and international project management. Her recent research area focuses on experience value co-creation related to digital platforms. Aisyah has various work experiences teaching and coordinating exchange programs related to business, tourism, and education. Starting in April 2024, she worked as a Specially Appointed Assistant Professor for JIGE (Japan Hub for Innovative Global Education), developing Blended Mobility Projects that integrate digitalized and online education with study abroad activities.
Kinnosuke Manabe obtained his Ph.D. degree in Engineering at National Central University in Taoyuan, Taiwan. He developed learning theories as well as learning systems, and published journal papers in high-index prestigious journals. He taught Japanese as a volunteer cultural instructor at a vocational high school in Taoyuan. Starting in 2023, he took a position at an Assistant Professor and JIGE coordinator. His main research areas are human-computer interaction, digital recognition technology, and technology-enhanced education/pedagogy.
Hiroaki Ozawa is the Executive Vice President for Education and International Affairs at Chiba University. He is responsible for implementing blended and online international learning in education at Chiba University. As a historian, Hiroaki Ozawa has been a member of the Standing Committee of the Japanese Historical Council since 2012 and a member of the Administrative Board, National Museum of Japanese History from 2016 to 2024. He writes authorized textbooks for high school students, such as Modern and Contemporary History (2022) and Advanced World History (2023).
Ken Wada is a professor of folklore at the Graduate School of Global and Transdisciplinary Studies at Chiba University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Tsukuba. He is the dean of the Graduate School of Global and Transdisciplinary and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His main research area is folk culture that has been handed down from the social structure of rural Japan. He teaches folklore and Japanese food culture, and also implements collaborative learning between Japanese and international students.
Naoki Sakiyama is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Global and Transdisciplinary Studies at Chiba University. He received his Ph.D. from Chiba University, in 2008. He is the Chairman of the Global Exchange Committee at the Graduate School of Global and Transdisciplinary Studies and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research fields include Modern Irish History, the Theory of the Higher Education system, and Research of Report topics.
Moe Otsuka holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Chiba University, where, as a Project Assistant Professor, she is involved in projects related to COIL.
She specializes in German translatology and adaptation. Her research focuses on the acceptance of works that arise in international exchanges for manga and contemporary literature. Her works include manga translations and adaptations of classical art to contemporary popular culture.
Tohoku University Vice President (Education Reform and Global Engagement)
Completed Doctoral Course at University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science (Doctor of Science) in 1990. Employed as Research Associate by Tohoku University in 1992. Professor at Tohoku University Graduate School of Science since 2003; Vice President (Education Reform and Global Engagement) since 2018. Director of Tohoku University Advanced Graduate School, Director of Institute for Excellence in Higher Education Global Learning Center, Director of Center for Culture and Language Education, Director of International
Strategy Office Played key role in the university's internationalization, particularly in international engagement and education design. Active in implementing the Tohoku University Top Global University Project. Research fields: elementary particle physics and cosmology. Joint recipient of Nishinomiya-Yukawa Memorial Prize with Yasuhiro Okada, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization ("Mass of the Higgs Boson in the Supersymmetric Standard Model").
In this project, oversees the progress of the project from various aspects and supports the development of the project as a Tohoku University executive. Also contributes to the project by further strengthening partnerships with affiliated universities' executives in Japan and abroad.
Associate Executive Vice President (International Affairs)
Graduated from Rutgers University in the United States and worked at a Japanese trading company in New York, obtained a doctoral degree from the School of Education at Indiana University. Since joining Tohoku University in 2003, contributed to its internationalization in various aspects, including internationalization of curriculum, development of outbound and inbound study programs, served on the university international strategy committee, support for international students, and development of overseas networks. Have been dedicated to promoting intercultural collaborative learning by disseminating its educational methods and launching research projects that investigate pedagogies as well as students’ learning outcomes. Conducted numerous faculty development (FD) sessions and workshops on the theme of intercultural collaborative learning both domestically and internationally. In this project, will act as a leader of Tohoku University to promote intercultural collaborative learning, especially on capacity building for practitioners as well as quality assurance in terms of students’ learning outcomes. Also will launch a research internship as well as entrepreneurship training programs using blended learning models, aiming to contribute to the advancement of the project and strengthening collaboration among the three universities.
Born in Fukushima prefecture. Attended Asaka High School then the Waseda Faculty of Science and Engineering. Completed the doctoral course at the Waseda Graduate School of Science and Engineering (Doctor of Engineering).
Worked as a Research Associate at the Waseda Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Associate at the Tohoku University Department of Physics, Visiting Researcher at University of Melbourne, and Research Associate at the Tohoku University School of Engineering Department of Quantum Science. Became an Assistant Professor at the Tohoku University International Student Center in February 2000 and current position as full Professor at same (reorganized in April 2014) in April 2004.
As a Professor at the Global Learning Center, coordinates inbound programs for short-term international engineering students at Tohoku University, provides educational/research guidance to international students; as head of the short-term inbound program in science and engineering is involved in international student affairs from their acceptance to return. Contributes to student policy for MEXT international students in connection with JASSO/international student support systems (short-term inbound/outbound), the "TOBITATE! Study Abroad Initiative," priority placement programs for MEXT Scholarship Students, etc.
At JIGE, works on development and implementation of online/hybrid doctoral colloquiums and leads international network expansion, such as issuance of microdegrees for exchange/short-term study abroad (including online students) and digital program registration certificates etc.
Global Learning Center, Associate Professor
Completed her master's (2005) and doctoral (2010) degrees in comparative and international education development at the Department of Education Policy and Administration, the University of Minnesota. Worked as Assistant Director of the International Office at Teikyo Post University (now Post University), Assistant Professor of the Organization for the Promotion of International Relations at Kyoto University, Senior Assistant Professor of the International Education Center at the Hitotsubashi University, then, Associate Professor of the Global Learning Center at the Tohoku University since 2017. Fields: comparative international education, internationalization in higher education, cross-cultural education. Major research topics: internationalization of university education and systems, impact of overseas study abroad, multicultural coexistence education for the majority. Began her career as an International Educator in the United States. After returning to Japan, engaged in international education exchanges and international/domestic student study abroad consulting, and teaching subjects related to global leader education and multicultural coexistence education. At the Japan Hub for Innovative Global Education (JIGE), wants to contribute to implementing Tohoku University programs and participating in the JIGE Advisory Board as an expert in intercultural understanding.
Global Learning Center, Research Associate & Academic Coordinator
Earned a Master of Education (2024) from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Education, following a Bachelor of Arts (2022) from the Tohoku University Faculty of Arts and Letters. Appointed as Research Associate of the Global Learning Center in the Institute for Excellence in Higher Education at Tohoku University in 2024. Field: intercultural education. Involved in research projects related to Intercultural Collaborative Learning and acceptance of migrants since university. Currently proceeding with research into validating learning outcomes for Intercultural Collaborative Learning with local communities and exploring the new roles and responsibilities of higher education institutions in society. Alumna of the TOMODACHI Initiative led by the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, and empowering the next generation of global leaders and women in leadership. At JIGE, leverages knowledge and skills gained from past experiences to contribute to meaningful learning among students from different linguistic/cultural backgrounds.