Debriefing session and dispatch ceremony for iBSc programme held

September 10, 2025

Updated October 15, 2025

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On Monday, September 1, 2025, Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) held a special event celebrating both the return of its first cohort of students from the Intercalated Bachelor of Science programme (iBSc) at Imperial College London and the upcoming departure of the second cohort. The event included a post-return debriefing session and a dispatch ceremony, and marked a significant step forward in the Institute’s commitment to global academic engagement.

The ceremony brought together university leadership, including President and Chief Executive Officer Naoto Ohtake and President and Chief Academic Officer Yujiro Tanaka, along with 31 students interested in the programme and six media representatives, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere

Science Tokyo executives, faculty members involved in the programme, and iBSc students at the event

About the iBSc Programme

The iBSc programme is a unique degree-awarding course of study offered by Imperial, one of the world’s leading academic institutions. Students spend nine months at the London-based university, immersing themselves in intensive study within scientific fields. Upon completion, they are awarded a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from Imperial.

Science Tokyo became the first institution outside of the UK and Ireland to gain official eligibility to participate, beginning student dispatch in the 2024 academic year. The inaugural cohort of three students completed the programme in May 2025 with outstanding academic success, and two more students will comprise the second cohort beginning in September.

Post-Return Debriefing Session

The event began with opening remarks by Professor Kenji Wakabayashi, Vice President for Growth Strategy and iBSc Programme Director. These were followed by in-depth presentations from the three returning students, who shared an overview of the iBSc curriculum, details of their individual research projects, reflections on their personal and academic growth, insights into the differences between the educational systems of Imperial and Science Tokyo, and constructive proposals for enhancing international education at Science Tokyo.

Their presentations were not only informative but also deeply inspiring, offering valuable perspectives to attending students and faculty.

Vice President for Growth Strategy, Wakabayashi

Yuichiro Hara, a first-cohort iBSc student

Mari Hinoue, a first-cohort iBSc student

Kai Kanematsu, a first-cohort iBSc student

Dispatch Ceremony

During the dispatch ceremony, Tanaka formally presented a Certificate of Nomination to Mika Ikai and Miho Inoue, the two students set to depart for the UK in September 2025.

Ohtake and Tanaka also each delivered warm and encouraging speeches, conveying their strong beliefs in the students’ potential to thrive abroad. In response, one of the students delivered a heartfelt message of gratitude and determination, pledging to make the most of this invaluable opportunity.

Following the ceremony, both the first-cohort students and faculty were interviewed by various media outlets, reflecting the high level of public and academic interest in the iBSc programme.