UTokyo GUC 2026 Successfully Concludes!

The UTokyo Global Unit Courses (GUC), organized by the Center for Global Education, is a short-term program welcoming international students to the University of Tokyo. From June 15 to July 27, 2026, an accumulated total of over 250 students who passed the selection process participated in a variety of one- to two-week courses, deepening their knowledge and expanding their perspectives based on their interests and goals.

The 2026 GUC program featured 26 courses in total: 21 specialized courses spanning the humanities and STEM fields, and 5 level-based online Japanese language courses. The 2-unit courses introduced last year continued to be offered, including a popular AI-related course, along with two newly launched courses, Introduction to Changemaking and Design for Social Impact, developed as an extension of the highly regarded design-focused courses offered last year. The program also introduced Museums in Contemporary Japan, a field trip-based course that explores museums in Tokyo and examines their roles as cultural institutions in contemporary Japan from the perspective of museology. In addition, new courses addressing contemporary issues such as natural resources and the environment, political economy, Japanese politics, and international relations expanded the range of learning opportunities available to students.

Outside of the classroom, each course incorporated a variety of hands-on learning opportunities, including lab tours, fieldwork, visits to different campuses, and design workshops—hallmarks of the GUC program. Through these experiences both inside and outside the classroom, students deepened their understanding of their fields of study while gaining new perspectives and insights.

There were also opportunities to socialize. The program’s signature “Get Together” lunch gatherings provided opportunities for participants to connect with UTokyo students, fostering friendships and connections beyond academic and national boundaries. This year, students from more than 30 countries and regions joined the program, creating an increasingly international environment where participants could learn from different cultures and perspectives. Many participants shared that, in addition to advancing their academic knowledge, meeting peers from around the world and interacting with UTokyo students gave them new perspectives and unforgettable experiences.