On January 8, 2026, the KU-STAR Program for Australia 2026 officially commenced. This short-term research internship welcomes 10 outstanding students selected from 48 applicants across the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of Adelaide, and RMIT University.

The students are conducting research in various laboratories in the Graduate Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Human and Environmental Studies, Energy Science, Informatics, Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Global Environmental Studies, the Institute for Chemical Research, and the Disaster Prevention Research Institute.

Orientation, CiRA Visit, and Graduate Schools Admissions Information Session

The first day of the program featured an orientation session, a welcome lunch, and a campus tour. During the orientation, Prof. Takao Hirajima (Director, Division of Graduate Studies), Prof. Fuyuki Ishikawa (Executive Vice-President), and Prof. Akira Murakami (Dean, Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability) delivered warm, encouraging messages, celebrating the launch of the program and expressing high expectations for the students’ future success.

Following the addresses, each participant gave a presentation introducing themselves and outlining their specific research themes and goals for the program. During the welcome lunch, students deepened their connections with faculty members, University Research Administrators (URAs) of Australia Desk at the Kyoto University Office of Research Acceleration (KURA), and Kyoto University students serving as Office Assistants (OAs).

On the following day, January 9, to deepen their understanding of research at Kyoto University, the group visited the Center for Kyoto University iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA). After a comprehensive presentation by Dr. Kelvin Hui (Deputy Head of CiRA’s Research Promoting Office), the students toured the state-of-the-art “open laboratories”.

Furthermore, a Graduate Schools Admissions Information Session was held on January 13 by the Admissions Assistance Office (AAO). Following an introduction by the AAO regarding graduate school applications and scholarship opportunities, two guest speakers shared their personal insights: Ms. Wen Helena Sing, a Master’s student at iCeMS and alumna of the Amgen Scholars Program (a short-term research internship supported by the Amgen Foundation), and Dr. Joonha Park, senior lecturer of the Graduate School of Education, a graduate of the University of Melbourne who previously studied at Kyoto University as an exchange student. Both shared their experiences regarding research life and career paths in Kyoto, providing a valuable opportunity for participants to visualize their future academic journeys.

Japanese Language Classes: A Flexible Curriculum

Alongside their research, students participated in Japanese language classes designed to enrich their lives in Japan. Based on their proficiency levels, beginners attended specially tailored sessions, while students with prior experience joined the Kyoto iUP (Kyoto University International Undergraduate Program) Preparatory Course Japanese classes, ranging from elementary to advanced levels.

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From January 8 to February 20, the students will focus on their individual projects under the guidance of their respective laboratories. A Final Presentation Session (Poster Presentation) is scheduled for February 19 at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall (International Conference Hall I).

We will continue to share updates on the students’ growth throughout the program.