Prof. Yukiko Yamamoto, the faculty member or the NipCA Project, gave a series of lectures on the SDGs to local high school students. This was a part of social contribution activities of the University of Tsukuba which started in 2022. This year, Prof. Yamamoto visited two local high schools, Joso Gakuin High School and Tsuchiura Nihon University High School in September.
【Tsuchiura Nihon University High School】
The first lecture was held on September 12, 2023, at the Tsuchiura Nihon University High School. In addition to Prof. Yamamoto, Prof. Usuyama, and Cholopon Altynbek kyzy and Nodira Samatova from NipCA Fellow 2022 also attended the event. Prof. Yamamoto gave a lecture on the overview of the International Development Goals and the current progress of Japanese efforts as well as its challenges. The workshop was also held during the lecture which allows students to discuss each other and present their thoughts in English. After the lecture, students were asked to identify several problems in Japanese society and to think about possible small steps they could take. The session closed on a high note, and even after the lecture, some students stayed in the room to ask questions and express their opinions.
【Joso Gakuin High School】
On September 27, Prof. Yamamoto, as well as Aidai Aitimbetova and Aruzhan Bekbossynova from NipCA Fellow 2022, visited Joso Gakuin High School. Prof. Yamamoto gave a lecture on SDGs to approximately 50 students. Although some of the students seemed nervous about the English-only lecture, some students said that seeing their classmates speaking English actively inspired them.
It was the first time for many of the high school students to attend an English lecture, yet after each lecture, many of the participants spoke of having deepened their understanding of the SDGs and increased motivation to improve their English skills. Professor Yamamoto and the NipCA Fellows too had a fruitful time with local high school students.
