Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS) 2026 Co-Hosted with University of Malaya

From January 9 to 11, University of Tsukuba co-hosted the Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS) 2026 with the University of Malaya at the Tsukuba International Congress Center and the Tsukuba Campus. Led by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), this annual summit is organized in collaboration with partner universities outside Malaysia. Following previous editions held in Indonesia (2023) and Turkey (2024), the 2026 summit was hosted in Japan.

The summit was held under the theme "Fostering Future Global Leaders", and brought together 159 students (87 from approximately 20 national universities in Malaysia, 71 from University of Tsukuba, and one from Doshisha University), as well as 30 faculty and staff members, including 14 from University of Tsukuba. The event served as a dynamic platform for international academic exchange and leadership training. It was also implemented as a Multicultural Co-Learning Program under the University of Tsukuba's Multicultural Campus Project Toward Social Impact, with strong support from the Malaysian side.

The Opening Ceremony on Day 1 featured a welcome address by Mr. Zainal Azlan Mohd Nadzir, Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister at the Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo. This was followed by keynote speeches from Mr. Zamri Radzi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Malaya, President NAGATA Kyosuke of University of Tsukuba, and Professor SANKAI Yoshiyuki, President and CEO of CYBERDYNE. They shared insights on global partnerships for peace and sustainability, and the role of youth in the international community. President NAGATA urged students not to confine themselves to a single academic discipline, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the pursuit of "ultimate goals." Drawing on his own experiences of overcoming challenges, Professor SANKAI encouraged students to carve their own paths when facing obstacles, stressing that innovation does not emerge in isolation. He reaffirmed the value of interdisciplinary learning and broad-based education as the best preparation for real-world collaboration.

On Day 2, a keynote speech was delivered by Ms. UENO Yuko from Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., focusing on the active roles of Ph.D. holders in the industrial sector. In addition, Mr. Hirman Awang from MOHE delivered a lecture entitled "New Perspectives on Student Empowerment in Malaysia."

Parallel sessions held on Days 1 and 2 addressed seven themes, including climate change, AI and advanced technologies, healthcare, youth civic engagement, and the digital economy. Faculty members from Malaysian universities and University of Tsukuba served as session chairs, while students presented their research. Each session concluded with lively discussions among Malaysian and Japanese students.

The summit also featured leadership development workshops organized by MOHE, as well as a networking event—Cultural Exchange Night—which provided participants with opportunities to collaborate while deepening mutual cultural understanding. Highlights included Malaysian dances and songs, traditional Japanese performances by the University of Tsukuba's music club featuring the koto and shamisen, and a mochi-pounding demonstration. As participants joined hands and danced together, the venue was filled with excitement, further strengthening the bonds between Malaysia and Japan.

At the Closing Ceremony, outstanding student presentations were recognized, followed by closing remarks from Mr. Zamri Radzi, who expressed his gratitude for the University of Tsukuba's contributions and paid tribute to the students and staff who made the event a success.　Subsequently, Provost KATO Mitsuyasu conveyed his sincere appreciation for the successful outcome of the summit and expressed gratitude to the participating students, the University of Malaya, the University of Tsukuba, and all affiliated organizations.

GSLS 2026 concluded as a highly successful student-centered international event that integrated academic exchange, leadership education, and cross-cultural understanding. For participating students, the summit provided valuable opportunities for personal growth and the development of international networks. The University of Tsukuba will continue to strengthen partnerships with universities worldwide and actively contribute to nurturing the next generation of global leaders.