Report

A short-term Intensive Study Program aimed at addressing challenges in Pacific island regions through collaboration between Okinawa, Hawaiʻi, and Taiwan was held over 10 days from Thursday, August 8, to Saturday, August 17, 2024. This program was conducted in conjunction with the University of the Ryukyus Summer Program and brought together a total of 22 participants, including 6 students from the University of the Ryukyus, 3 from partner institutions in Hawaiʻi, and 3 from partner institutions in Taiwan.

The program offered a combination of lectures and fieldwork, along with a rich variety of cultural activities. Participating students strengthened their bonds with one another while learning about the wisdom of island communities and the principles of coexistence.

Overview

Dates: August 8 – August 17, 2024 (10 days)
Venue: University of the Ryukyus and various locations across Okinawa
Program Details
Lecture and Fieldwork
　・Opening Ceremony, Orientation, and Icebreaking Session
　・Opening Lecture: “How Can SDGs Make Us Work Together in Okinawa?”
　・Lecture 1 “Visual Sensory Fieldwork Naha”
　・Lecture 2 “Importance of Learning about and Choosing Appropriate English for Formal Academic and Professional Contexts”
　・Lecture 3 “Resource Circulation”
　・Lecture 4 “Program Wrap-up”
　・Fieldwork 1: “Exploring Naha City”
　・Fieldwork 2 “Bise-Fukugi Tree Road: Measure the old-growth homestead windbreaks and think about the challenges and solutions for traditional windbreak conservation”
　・Closing Ceremony and Farewell Party

Cultural Activities:
　・Visits to Ocean Expo Park (Churaumi Aquarium, Oceanic Museum)
　・A performance by the Ryukyuan Performing Arts Research Club and tours of the Fūjukukan Hall and Library led by University of the Ryukyus students
　・Bingata dyeing (Okinawa’s traditional craftmanship) workshop at the “Gusuku”

Voices of Participants

Through the short-term inbound training program, students shared the following insights and learnings from the program’s four focus areas: Renewable Energy, Well-being, Environment, and Coexistence.

Renewable Energy
Students visited the Naha-Nanjo Clean Center to learn about waste management and energy generation systems, gaining a deeper understanding of resource-based value creation.
Well-being
Fieldwork in Naha City explored its role as a tourist destination, allowing students to learn from sensory experiences that connected them to local residents and the surrounding natural environment.
Environment
Hands-on training at the Fukugi Tree-lined Road in Bise provided students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable coexistence between environmental conservation, culture, and tourism.
Coexistence
By contextualizing the SDGs within Okinawa’s unique background and visiting peace memorial sites, students recognized the importance of English communication as a tool to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Snapshots