The 2019 Kingfisher Global Leadership Program, a short-term US study abroad program, was held from February 15 to March 1, 2020. The program, now in its ninth year, was organized by Kyoto University through the Education Promotion and Student Support Department and the Kyoto University North American Center, with the support of Dr. Sachiko Kuno, president and CEO of S&R Foundation and the Kyoto University Washington, DC, Alumni Association. Dr. Kuno is a graduate of Kyoto University, holding a doctorate in biochemical engineering. The Kingfisher program provides learning experiences at international institutions for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to be active in the international community. This year, ten students – including undergraduate and graduate, Japanese and international – were selected for participation in the program.
In the first half of the program, the students visited public organizations and research institutions in Washington, DC, including the US Department of State, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the World Bank. The visits provided the students with opportunities to hear inspiring lectures and engage in discussions with researchers and experts who work in these diverse organizations, and learn about the qualities required for leadership. Students also had an exchange session with peers from George Washington University, which has recently signed a university-wide student exchange agreement with Kyoto University.
During the latter half of the program, the students visited California, where they received career guidance from researchers working at world-class universities, including Stanford University, and were introduced to the diverse working styles of global companies, such as Google. On the final day, the students delivered presentations about what they had learned during the two weeks of the program.
At the World Bank
