ICUの日本語教育は、1953年の開学と同時に留学生10名の日本語クラスから始まりました。その後、日本語を母語・継承語とする学生のために、1964年にSpecial Japanese Program が開講され、今年で開講50年目を迎えました。これを記念し、5月24日にJLP Reunionが大学食堂で開催され、卒業生76名、元教職員12名、在校生20名、現教職員など総勢120名以上の参加者が集い、懇親を深めました。また、翻訳や情報技術などの様々な分野で活躍している卒業生から、今後のJLP及びICUの発展のために、今以上に広報に力を入れ、世界中にICUの存在を知らせてほしいという意見も出るなど、活発な意見交換の場ともなりました。

ICU’s Japanese language education began in 1953 together with the opening of the university with a class of 10 international students. Afterward, in 1964, the Special Japanese Program was offered for students with Japanese as a native or heritage language. This year marks the 50th year of the program. To celebrate this occasion, the JLP Reunion was held on May 24 at University Dining Hall. More than 120 participants, including 76 alumni, 12 former educational and general staff, 20 current students, as well as some current educational and general staff, gathered at ICU Dining Hall for a convivial time. The event also became a place to spiritedly exchange opinions. Some alumni who are working in various fields using their bilingual, translation, information technology, and other skills, mentioned that they would like ICU to make an even larger effort to publicize the existence of ICU around the world for the future development of both JLP and ICU.