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Suspension of summer and fall 2020 programs


The University of Tokyo regrets to announce a suspension of the following summer and fall programs administered by the Division for Global Campus Initiatives:
The University of Tokyo Short-Term Summer Study Abroad Programs
Berkeley Summer Sessions
UC Davis Global Study Program
IARU Courses
USTC International Summer Camp 2020
Deutschkurse - Learn German in Munich
University-wide Student Exchange Program(USTEP)(for fall of 2020)
UC Berkeley/Davis Program(for fall of 2020)
Lingnan University Program(for fall of 2020)

Go Global Fair 2020, planned in April 2020, has been suspended as well.

This decision was made based on the continuing spread of Novel Coronavirus in the world. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far designated 48 nations and regions as “Level 3” destinations (do not travel). The rest of the world has been designated as “Level 2” (do not travel unless necessary). Meanwhile 180 nations and regions have set up some kind of restrictions for entering, such as suspension of visas and outright ban on foreign nationals. It is highly unlikely this situation will subside before the students start preparing for their study abroad, such as submitting their visa application materials.

We are profoundly disappointed to have to make this decision. The University of Tokyo is strongly committed to promoting study abroad programs. But that commitment is premised upon securing the safety of all the students. At the moment, it is not possible to operate on that premise.

Globalization enables and accelerates the movement of people and objects, including study abroad. It allows wonderful cultural encounters and understandings. However, it is also accompanied by social tensions and conflicts—these positive and negative are two sides of the same coin. This rapid spread of Novel Coronavirus crisis is also a crisis generated by globalization. We know this is an extremely disappointing moment for you but we hope you will use this occasion to think about the multiple dimensions of the significance of globalization.

Hiroaki AIHARA
Professor, Graduate School of Science
Executive Director and Vice President
Director, Division for Global Campus Initiatives

Yujin YAGUCHI
Professor, Graduate School Interdisciplinary Information Studies
Director, International Education Support Office