Osaka University Homecoming Day is an event where alumni, faculty, and staff members from Osaka University and Osaka University of Foreign Studies gather together on campus to deepen their ties as members of the OU Family.
Homecoming Day is held in the spring during the Icho Festival. We hope you'll join us and check out what our students have been working on!
Osaka University Homecoming Day 2024
Click the image above to visit the special website for Homecoming Day
On Friday, May 3, 2024, Osaka University Homecoming Day 2024 was held on the Toyonaka Campus. Many alumni and other members of the OU Family visited campus to join in the festivities under sunny skies. Held on the same day as the Icho Festival for the first time in 5 years, many attendees remarked that visiting OU's lively campus reminded of their time at the university.
During the lecture session at the Lecture Hall of Osaka University Hall, following news and updates from President NISHIO Shojiro, lectures were delivered by the following OU faculty members:
- DOME Takuo (Professor, Graduate School of Economics/Executive Assistant to the President) - "Overcoming Adversity in the Modern Era - Aiming to Become a Society that Treasures Life"
- OKADA Mariko (Professor, Institute of Protein Research) - "Weaving Lives Together by Data Transfer Through the OU Network"
- FUJII Keisuke (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science/Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology) - "The Forefront of Quantum Computing R&D Targeting Global Expansion from Osaka -- Progress in Quantum Computing"
At social gathering held later, Ms. SEKI Junko (Announcer, Kansai Television Co. Ltd. and OU alumna) interviewed several participants, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Although some joined Homecoming Day for the first time, the participants enjoyed even talking with those they met for the first time as fellow alumni, strengthening the bonds they share as OU family members. Thank you all so much for joining us!
Video of the Homecoming Day Lecture Session and Social Gathering will be available to view on this special website for Homecoming Day starting Friday, May 17, so please take a look.
More details about Homecoming Day 2024 can be found here.
Osaka University Homecoming Day 2023
For the first time in 4 years, Osaka University held Homecoming Day 2023 during the Machikane Festival on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
At the lecture session, following the opening remarks by OU Federation of Alumni Association Chairman KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu, President NISHIO Shojiro shared the current news and updates with participants.
During the alumni lectures, three OU faculty members, all of whom are both alumni and deans of schools/graduate schools at OU, introduced approaches at their schools, including Professor KUMANOGOH Atsushi (Dean, Graduate School of Medicine; 1997 graduate of the Graduate School of Medicine), Professor TAKEMURA Keiko (Dean, School of Foreign Studies; 1992 graduate of the Graduate School of Foreign Studies, Osaka University of Foreign Studies (now Osaka University School/Graduate School of Foreign Studies)), and Professor KUWABATA Susumu (Dean, Graduate School of Engineering; 1991 graduate of the Graduate School of Engineering).
At the social gathering, facilitator for the event Ms. SEKI Junko (1988 graduate of the School of Human Sciences) interviewed several participants. Attendees interacted with others across differences in generation and school, enjoying the social gathering.
Those who were unable to attend this event can enjoy it by video posted to the special site linked below, so please take a look.
For more information, click here.
Osaka University Homecoming Day 2022 Online
Homecoming Day was held online on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6, 2022. During the event period, videos were available on a special website. Many people visited the special website for this event. Thank you for viewing the videos that we had published.
Featured Content
- “What’s Been Going on at OU” by President NISHIO Shojiro
- Greetings by OU Federation of Alumni Association Chairman KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu
- Meeting for Alumni and OU Board Members and Faculty Members
- Campus Tours – Memorable Places
- Videos of student group activities
- Messages to alumni from alumni associations at OU schools/graduate schools
- Mini lectures by faculty members
For more information, click here.
Osaka University Homecoming Day and Alumni Reunion 2021 Online
On Sunday, November 7, 2021, Osaka University held its Homecoming Day and Alumni Reunion 2021 online to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people visited the special website for this event. Thank you for viewing the videos that we had published.
Featured Content
Videos:
- Updates at OU from President Nishio
- Greetings from OU Federation of Alumni Association Chairman Kishimoto
- Social Contributions by Osaka University during the COVID-19 Pandemic:
- What is the Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER)?
- Contributions to Socio-Economic Activity
- Development of a COVID-19 vaccine
- Measures taken at Osaka University Hospital to combat COVID-19
- Mass vaccination at OU and collaboration with local municipalities
- Tours of Cafeterias on Each Campus
- Introductions to Global Village and the New Minoh Campus
For more details, click here.
Osaka University Homecoming Week 2020 – Osaka University Alumni Reunion Online
From Saturday, November 28 until Saturday, December 5, 2020, Osaka University held the “Homecoming Week 2020” online to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
During the week, social gatherings were held online, and homecoming videos were streamed on the special website.
Featured Content
Videos:
- Updates at OU from President Nishio
- Greetings from OU Federation of Alumni Association Chairman Kishimoto
- Alumni Talk Session
- OU in the Era of COVID-19:
- Approaches to Education at OU in the Era of COVID-19
- Immunology and clinical application –medical revolution created at OU
- OU Students Giving it Their All
Online Social Gatherings:
- Sessions held by class (classes of 2000-01, 2010-11, and 2014-15)
- General session
For more details, click here.
14th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Friday, May 3, 2019)
On Friday, May 3, members of the OU family, including alumni, current students, parents, guardians, and faculty members, attended the 14th Osaka University Homecoming Day.
Part 1 of the event saw Tomoko Lumpkin (1974 graduate of Osaka University of Foreign Studies), who has worked as a conference interpreter for dignitaries from multiple countries, give a lecture entitled “Communication Between Different Cultures – Beyond English.” The audience listened intently to her fascinating anecdotes from her work as an interpreter. Finally, performances by the Osaka University Cheerleading Party fired up the venue and showed a passionate, energetic side of OU students.
The venue shifted to Cafeteria Kasane in the Student Union Building for the social gathering in part 2, which began with a toast from YAMADA Ryuji (1973 graduate of the Graduate School of Engineering; senior advisor, NTT Docomo).
The venue was warm and lively on the sunny spring afternoon, full of friendly conversation between friends both new and old.
For more details, click here.
13th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Monday, April 30, 2018)
On Monday, April 30, some 550 members of the OU family, including alumni, current students, parents, guardians, and faculty members, attended the 13th Osaka University Homecoming Day. The number of attendees at this year's Homecoming Day was the largest in the event's history!
In part 1 at Osaka University Hall, attendees were treated to a jazz concert by professional saxophone player HIBINO Norihiko (1996 graduate, School of Human Sciences) and The New Wave Jazz Orchestra, an interview between MC and Kansai Telecasting Corporation Announcer SEKI Junko (1988 graduate of the School of Human Sciences) and Mr. Hibino, a stage performance by the Osaka University Cheerleading Party, and a dance performance by the Festival Dance Club "MADANI."
The venue shifted to Cafeteria Kasane in the Student Union Building for the social gathering in part 2, which began with a toast from President HARUTA Seishi (1989 graduate of the School of Human Sciences) of mow-mow farm. There were tasting sessions for chou rusk (a pastry dessert) from President Haruta of mow-mow farm and sake from MORIKI Rumiko (1983 graduate of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences) of Moriki Brewery, both of which went very quickly. At the annual raffle, the lucky winners were able to take some commemorative photos with President Nishio, making for a lively, enjoyable afternoon.
For details, click here.
12th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Sunday, April 30, 2017)
On a beautiful, sunny Sunday, April 30, some 520 members of the OU family, including alumni, current students, parents, guardians, and faculty members, attended the 12th Osaka University Homecoming Day, a number that exceeded the attendance numbers of last year's Homecoming Day.
In the first half of Homecoming Day held at Osaka University Hall, following a talk about current events at OU by President NISHIO Shojiro and a greeting from Osaka University Federation of Alumni Association President KUMAGAI Nobuaki, the Osaka University Cheerleading Party took the stage for a performance. Afterwards, in a segment entitled "Great Work, OU Students!" there were appearances by students from a variety of fields, including winner of the women's singles division at the 2016 Kansai Student Tennis Tournament HIGUCHI Naoko (3rd year, School of Science) and winner of the 85kg weight class at the 2016 West Japan Student Sumo Tournament by Weight Class NAKAYAMA Kotaro (4th year, School of Economics) with both students speaking about balancing study and sports and their goals for the future. Next was a performance by SHIMOI Ryutaro (2017 graduate, School of Science) and YAMAUCHI Masanori (4th year, School of Foreign Studies) of the student comedy duo B-Koku Shinshi , winners of the 8th National Student Comedy Competition D-1 Grand Prix, filling the venue with laughter with their witty banter.
Finally, the professional a cappella group INSPi captivated the audience with their beautiful harmony. The leader of INSPi, OHKURA Toyoyuki (2002 graduate, School of Engineering), spoke about the group, which started as a group of OU students, saying, "I'm honored to have the opportunity to return and perform at OU."
The concert was rocking even into the social gathering, with a raffle event in which winners took home the newest INSPi CD and various Osaka University merchandise, ending Homecoming Day on a high note.
This year also saw a large number of attendees utilize the childcare services at the event.
For details, click here.