Twelve more students have been awarded the Global Hagi Scholarship for 2025, as they each prepare to study abroad at Tohoku University's partner institutions. This brings the total number for the year to 42.

At the ceremony, held on December 16 at Katahira campus, Executive Vice President for Education and Student Support Hirotsugu Takizawa congratulated the award recipients and encouraged them to use their time abroad to "acquire the qualities to be global citizens who can thrive in the international community."

By studying abroad, he said, students have the chance to not only deepen their academic expertise but also develop a broader mindset. "The ability to deeply understand different cultures and collaborate with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, the capacity to adapt to unfamiliar situations and environments, and the ability to find solutions even in unfamiliar settings," he said, "will be indispensable for those leading society in the future."

Rieko Kodera, a second-year undergraduate at the Faculty of Economics, gave a speech on behalf of the award recipients.

Headed to the University of Oregon in the United States, she said she hopes the experience will deepen her understanding of economics in English and help her view what she has already learnt in Japan through a global lens. "I would also like to explore economics more broadly and gain insights into global economic issues through classes and discussions in an international environment."

Like many Global Hagi recipients before, Kodera also hopes to learn more about herself during her time abroad. "By learning and collaborating with students who have different values and experiences, I want to strengthen my ability to communicate, adapt and express myself in international settings," she said. "I believe that stepping into a different cultural environment will help me better understand my own viewpoints and develop the skills needed to contribute to global discussions."

The Global Hagi Scholarship is awarded twice a year to students with excellent academic records, who are also deemed to be good ambassadors for the university. It was established in 2010 and is supported by the Tohoku University Fund.