The Kobe University International Student
Assistance Fund

Fundraising Scheme募金趣意書
Fundraising Scheme
In 1949, with our contemporary university format established under the education
system reform, Kobe University welcomed our first international students - a totalof 8, most prominently students of Commerce from Thailand.
In the 70 years since, over one million exchange students have studied at Kobe
University. Utilizing the education, research and living experiences gained here,
they have gone on to thrive across the globe.
The primary point of contact and source of support for study, research anddaily-life needs for international students is the Kobe University Center forInternational Education, originally established in 1993 as the International
Student Center. While many programs and projects are currently on hold due to theunfortunate effects of COVID-19, in 2019 alone, we provided holistic support forover 2000 students from approximately 80 countries and regions. The steady increasein the range of countries our international students hail from, and the expanding
spectrum of purposes and fields of study chosen, testify that our university isonly rising in international regard. Seeing more students flourishing in businessand academic fields who have undertaken their studies here is an achievement weare highly proud of.
In order to support such international students, the Kobe University faculty
established the Kobe University International Student Support Association 「神戸大学外国人留学生後援会」in 1988. The Association’s primary operations were toprovide scholarships, loans and daily life support to students.
We receive generous contributions toward our endeavor to assist International
Students from various stakeholders outside the university, and alumni groups,
developed over reunions connecting International and Japanese alumni held atcountry, region, city levels. The many forms of support our University receives
include collaboration for Symposiums hosted by our University overseas last year,
significant donations towards recovery after the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami,
and a donation of masks during this Corona-afflicted period.
Capitalizing on the external support we are so fortunate to receive, we havedecided to establish the Kobe University International Student Assistance Fund toprovide students with financial aid to create increased opportunities for growthand learning on an exponentially larger scale than before. The scheme seeks toprovide a richer study experience for promising international students, byproviding a sense of security as they undertake their studies Kobe University. Bychanneling the generous benevolence we receive from all over the globe into thisfund, we seek to realize tangible support for International Students, and to takeon the role of providing scholarships from the Kobe University International
Student Support Association, which will continue all other operations in tandem.
As the financial climate grows ever more dire, we seek to maintain our intake
of international students, and contribute to the global society by demonstrating
the unique strengths Kobe University is renowned for. Your valued aid directly
enriches the support we can offer international students of the next generation.

Our fund will be applied to the following operations catering to International
Students:I. The Provision of Scholarships – While university-funded scholarships are
essential in attracting promising international students and providing a richlearning environment, our ongoing operations prove that funds generated only within
the university is insufficient. In consideration of future demand, and areinability of addressing the increasing scope, we now cast a larger range forsources of financial aid.
II. Support in Cases of Natural Disaster – We aspire to minimize anxiety surrounding
living in Japan, and the impact on studies by providing financial aid and aneducation system prepared for emergency or natural disaster such as the 1995
Hanshin Awaji Earthquake and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
III. In addition to operations I, aimed at incubating promising human resource,and II, disaster preparedness, we aspire to develop Kobe University strengths anddistinguishers that make students think “I’m so glad I studied/ researched atKobe University”.

We ask for your valued support in our endeavors.
31st October, 2020
President TAKEDA Hiroshi
Executive Vice President YOSHII MasahikoDirector of Center for International Education, KAWAI Naruo
International Student Alumni Association, West Japan President, CHEN Lin
International

Student

Veerasureshkumar

Alumni

Association,

EastJapan

President,

VEERAPPAN