First meeting for KU women students from Africa (22 October 2016)

The Interdisciplinary Unit for African Studies of the Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research (C-PiER) has hosted its first meeting for women students from Africa, as an opportunity for exchange with KU students and faculty who are concerned with Africa.

With the number of African women students increasing annually, this first meeting was held with Dr Kayo Inaba, executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and public relations, with participants meeting over lunch to discuss common topics, such as the reasons that they chose KU, and how they are adjusting to life in Japan.

Following welcoming remarks by EVP Inaba, participating students presented on their studies at KU, as well as volunteer activities in Africa. Ms Oumou Salamata Bah, of the Graduate School of Law, presented on the relationship between international law and the human rights situation in her home country of Guinea. Ms Akari Yokoi, of the Faculty of Agriculture, then spoke about her summer spent in Ethiopia as a KU "Omoro Challenge" grantee, describing her fieldwork on food culture, and also speaking about her student group's activities helping an orphanage in Ghana improve its management.

The meeting wrapped up in a friendly mood with closing remarks by Ms Yukari Mitsuhashi, vice-director of the International Strategy Office. Ms Mitsuhashi stated, "We will hold such meetings on a regular basis to provide opportunities to mutually deepen cultural understanding, not only through discussing serious issues, but also through enjoying 'girl talk' over more familiar topics, such as popular fashion and hairstyles."