Program Overview
In AY 2025, we plan to hold the following two initiatives.
[International Exchange Subjects] “Learning SDGs Locally & Globally” Intensive Online Summer Course
The Institute for International Initiatives offers "Learning SDGs Globally and Locally" Online Intensive Course (August 18-27, 2025) as part of The University of Osaka SDGs Virtual Student Exchange 2025. Through lectures and discussion sessions, students gain a coherent and situated understanding of SDGs, its global and local implications as well as needs for action.
Since 2022, 250 students from The University of Osaka, its partner universities, as well as APRU and AEARU member universities (28 universities in 10 countries and regions) have participated in the course.
For more information, click here.
3 Minutes of Inspiration for Sustainable Development Student Video Contest: 4 Years of Inspiration
Over the past 4 years, students worldwide have shared their ideas through the “3 Minutes of Inspiration for Sustainable Development” Video Contest.
As the contest comes to a close this year, we are revisiting these powerful works and following up on the journeys of past participants. Building on their creativity and commitment, we will create a new video and showcase them at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai along with winning videos from each year.
What can students do for a better future? [short versions]
Watch the full version on Sept 7, 2025 (10:00–13:00) at Handai Day, Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai!
▼"3 Minutes of Inspiration for Sustainable Development" 大阪大学学生動画コンテスト 〜動画でつなぐ未来〜 【Trailer Version１】
▼"3 Minutes of Inspiration for Sustainable Development" 大阪大学学生動画コンテスト 〜動画でつなぐ未来〜 【Trailer Version２】
Note: The full version will be available after September 7, 2025
Information：
（Japanese）https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/ja/event/2025/09/07001
（English）https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/event/2025/08/07001
Below is the information about this program held in AY 2024.
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The SDGs Virtual Student Exchange, hosted by the Center for Global Initiatives, provides opportunities for students at Osaka University and its partner institutions across the world to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), share ideas through creative media, and discuss student roles and actions. Participants will learn local and global challenges and potential solutions and strategies from expert researchers, faculty, and guest speakers, and will reflect on their roles in their communities.
In today’s society, various global challenges from climate change, natural disasters, infectious diseases, conflicts to rapid urbanization and the aging, profoundly impact on our economy, environment, and society. These critical issues concerning the future of our planet are stipulated in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
So, how can we contribute to solving social issues and move towards achieving the SDGs? There is no easy answer, but you can start by sharing your thoughts with peers and taking actions to make a difference in your local community, societies, and the world. Through video production workshops, lectures on SDGs, video contest, and student forum, the SDGs Virtual Student Exchange provides a platform to share your awareness and ideas with peers around the world and to move forward together! We invite all students at Osaka University and our partner universities worldwide to actively participate.
Certain programs have specific eligibility criteria, while others are open to the public. Details regarding each program will be announced on our website.
Video production and editing are valuable skills for expressing ideas efficiently. They enhance not only your creativity, but also your ability to conceptualize, present and solve problems logically. In this workshop, a professional video producers/directors will be invited to teach basic skills. Students will have a hands-on learning opportunity during the two-day workshop.
Date: May 18th and 19th (1st time), October 12th and 13th (2nd time)
Duration: 2 days (2 times)
Program type: in-person with hands-on learning activities in Suita Campus
Seat limit: 20 students
Language: Japanese (1st time) /English (2nd time)
More information: Details
Date: August 19-28, 2024
Duration: 8 workdays (8 synchronous online classes and on-demand lectures)
Eligible participants: Students from Osaka University and partner universities with virtual student exchange agreements, APRU member universities
Credit: 1 credit
Seat limit: 80 students
Language: English
More information: Details
Registration deadline: October 27, 2024, 23:59 (JST, UTC+9)
Video submission deadline: October 27, 2024, 23:59 (JST, UTC+9)
Eligible participants: Any student at Osaka University and its over 600 partner universities around the world (https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/international/action/index.html), and students from the member universities of Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), HeKKSaGOn German-Japanese University Alliance, U7+.
Prizes: Grand Prize (100,000 JPY), Best SDGs Idea Prize, Best Production Prize, Encouragement Award, Nomination Prize, and certificates of participation for all eligible video entries
Seat limit: None
More information: Details
Date: December 16, 2024 (Monday)
Target participants: Students from Osaka University and its partner universities, open to public
More information: Details
Please download the overall program poster from here.
Contact us:
SDGs Virtual Student Exchange, Center for Global Initiatives
Email: sdgs@cgin.osaka-u.ac.jp