NEWS

"IB Higher Education Forum 2025 JAPAN" and "IB University Fair 2025 JAPAN" Held by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

Update: June 16, 2025

Held on the campus of ICU, the "IB Higher Education Forum 2025 JAPAN" and the "IB University Fair 2025 JAPAN" were hosted by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) over two days, Friday and Saturday, May 30-31, 2025. The events aimed to bring together IB World Schools, universities, and the educators, students and parents who connect them, to foster dialogue and collaboration on the future of IB education.

As the host institution for this year's events, ICU welcomed participation from 17 universities across the Asia-Pacific region and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australian Embassy Tokyo, invited by the IBO. From the high school side, a total of 72 guidance counselors from 45 IB World Schools and candidate schools, along with 385 students, parents and teachers from 37 schools, gathered to develop understanding of the transition from IB education to higher education as well as to deepen mutual exchanges.

In the opening address, President Shoichiro Iwakiri spoke about the shared educational philosophies of ICU and the IB, emphasizing the resonance between ICU's founding mission to cultivate "peacebuilders" and "global citizens," and the IB's focus on critical thinking, multilingualism, and transboundary learning, and extending a warm welcome to participants. President Iwakiri also introduced ICU's initiatives in IB educator training, including its IB Educator Certificate (IBEC) program and the establishment of specialized faculty positions, expressing high expectations for the significance and future of collaboration between high schools and universities.

On the first day, the IB Higher Education Forum featured lectures and dialogue sessions aimed at educators. The program began with an update from Ayako Kurokawa, Business Development and Recognition Associate Manager, International Baccalaureate (IB) Japan, who presented on the latest developments in the IB program and its growing recognition. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Professor Katsuhiko Mori, Admission Center Director, ICU; Kenji Ito, PR Manager, Tokyo Office, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU); and Thomas Waterfall, Guidance Counsellor, K International School. The discussion focused on three themes: ‟System Development," ‟Student Support and Development at Universities," and "Sharing Understanding Among Stakeholders." Panelists shared efforts and challenges from their respective institutions, engaging the audience in an active exchange of ideas. In the afternoon, participants split into two breakout rooms, one for University and Career Counsellors and the other for University Representatives, with each group attending three tailored sessions.

On the second day, the IB University Fair was held in the University Hall and the Troyer Memorial Arts and Sciences Hall. Aimed at IB students, parents, and high school teachers, the fair offered information about studying at universities and admissions systems. In addition to presentations from participating institutions, consultation booths were set up where attendees could gather information aligned with their interests. The event provided a valuable opportunity for IB students exploring their academic futures to learn about the characteristics of studying at IB-admitting universities, expectations for IB diploma holders, and campus life, while engaging in meaningful dialogue and seeking advice.

During the event, there were also heartwarming moments on campus as participating high school teachers reunited with their former students now studying at ICU and exchanged updates.

　

The program schedule and participating universities and organizations are as follows:

Day 1: IB Higher Education Forum (May 30)

▽Morning: Plenary Session (Venue: Kiyoshi Togasaki Memorial Dialogue House, International Conference Room)
・Greeting: Shoichiro Iwakiri (President, International Christian University)
・Keynote Update: Ayako Kurokawa (Business Development and Recognition Associate Manager, International Baccalaureate (IB) Japan)
・Panel Session: "System Development," "Student Support and Development at Universities," "Sharing Understanding Among Stakeholders"
Panelists: Professor Katsuhiko Mori (Admission Center Director, ICU), Kenji Ito (PR Manager, Tokyo Office, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)), Thomas Waterfall (Guidance Counsellor, K International School)

▽Afternoon: Breakout Room Sessions (Separated by target audience: University and Career Counsellors and University Representatives)
For University and Career Counsellors (Venue: University Hall Classroom)
・"Study in Hong Kong for DP students": The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
・"Counseling approaches and practices in IBWSs in Japan": Tsukuba International School
・"Study in Australia for DP students": University of Sydney, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australian Embassy Tokyo
For University Representatives (Venue: International Conference Room, Kiyoshi Togasaki Memorial Dialogue House)
・"DP subject overview and mock lesson - Chemistry": Okayama University of Science High School
・"DP core TOK overview and mock lesson": Kaichi Nihonbashi Gakuen
・"CP Introduction and DP Assessment": Kyoto International School, IBO Japan Office

Day 2: IB University Fair (May 31)

On the second day, the "IB University Fair 2025" was held for students, parents, and educators.
In the Dialogue House event space, 17 universities and 3 institutions from both Japan and overseas set up booths, providing university overviews and indiviual consultations for visitors.

Attending universities and an embassy (in no particular order)：
• International Christian University (ICU)
• National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Ritsumeikan University
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) - Shenzhen
• University of Aizu
• Musashi University
• Sophia University
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• The University of Sydney
• Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS)
• Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB)
• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
• International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA)
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Temple University, Japan Campus
• Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
• Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australian Embassy Tokyo
• IDP Education
• Oxford University Press