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Osaka University Homecoming Week 2020 – Osaka University Alumni Reunion Online held
2020.12.9 Wed
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Osaka University Homecoming Week 2020 – Osaka University Alumni Reunion Online held

From Saturday, November 28 until Saturday, December 5, 2020, Osaka University held the Homecoming Week 2020” online as substitute for the Homecoming Day and the Osaka Alumni Reunion in Tokyo, annual events for OU community members (including those related to former Osaka University of Foreign Studies), to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

During the week, social gatherings were held online, and homecoming videos, such as “News at OU,” “OU in the era of COVID-19,” and “OU Students Giving it Their All,” were streamed on the special website.

In Homecoming videos, President NISHIO Shojiro and OU’s Federation of Alumni Associations President KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu delivered their messages.


President Nishio speaks about news at OU


President Kishimoto greets viewers

Also, in a video of a talk show by alumni and current students facilitated by YAGI Ekou (Professor, Center for the Study of CO* Design), INOUE Yukari (Managing Director for Japan and Korea, Kellogg Company; 1985 graduate, School of Economics), TANIGUCHI Tatsunori (Founder/CEO, Remohab Inc.; 2006 graduate, Faculty of Medicine), KITAOKA Tomohiro (2nd year, master's course, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science), and TSUCHIYA Fumika (4th year, Spanish language major, School of Foreign Studies) talked about the role of the university and alumni in the era of COVID-19 as well as societal expectations of OU students and alumni. They also talked about their memories and the current situation at OU, various happenings during the COVID-19 crisis, measures to prevent the spread of the virus, and how they are getting through their difficulties.


Alumni Talk Session

In addition, two professors talked about OU’s approaches during the COVID-19 crisis via video:

  1. " Approaches to Education at OU in the Era of COVID-19 " by TANAKA Toshihiro (Osaka University Executive Vice President; 1980 graduate, School of Engineering)
  2. " Immunology and clinical application –medical revolution created at OU " by KUMANOGOH Atsushi (Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University; 1991 graduate, Faculty of Medicine)


Executive Vice President Tanaka (left) and Professor Kumanogoh

The video entitled “OU Students Giving it Their All” introduced the interviews with OU students overcoming the COVID-19 crisis as well as online classes and blended learning conducted at OU.


Some scenes from "OU Students Giving it Their All"

In the online social gatherings on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 held by class, classes of 2000-01, 2010-11, and 2014-15, participants had a talk about their present situation and even their favorite university meals.

The general session on Saturday, December 5 had some 30 participants from Japan and Asian countries. There were group discussions about their old days at OU and present state of COVID-19 in age groups (part 1) and region groups (part 2).

The participants shared their feelings, saying, “The online gathering allowed me to easily join to talk with those to whom I lost access, bringing a meaningful time,” and “It was stimulating to hear from different people.”

Photos taken from Zoom video meeting: individual session by graduation year (top) and general session

We would like to thank all those who participated and tuned in for the event.

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