Post-Programme Report Session for the 2025 ABS Overseas Study Seminar I

On March 18, ABS hosted the post-programme report session for the Overseas Study Seminar I. The event began with a coffee tasting session led by a barista from Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo, creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing participants with an opportunity to connect with one another before the programme began.

We were honoured to welcome industry guests from Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo: Senior Operations Manager Mr Takahiro Kodama, Senior Specialist Mr Jin Chihara, Barista Mr Takahiro Sugawara and Supervisor Mr Rui Kiuchi. From Boeing Japan, we welcomed John Lilja, Senior Manager Supply Chain Development, APAC, Ms Ryoko Matsumoto, Communications Manager and Mr Jonathan Lucas, PR & Branding. During the session, students presented the outcomes of their Seattle study programme and engaged in discussions with the invited guests. From ABS, Associate Professor Yuta Hirose and Assistant Kim Kayon also attended.

This year’s Overseas Study Seminar I was organised around the theme “Global Leadership and Innovation.” Participants had the opportunity to learn directly about Seattle’s innovation ecosystem. In addition to lectures and workshops at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, students deepened their understanding of a wide range of topics, including leadership in global companies, AI and innovation, sustainability and operations management, through visits to government institutions, companies and manufacturing facilities.

The reporting session served as an opportunity for participants to synthesise the knowledge and insights they gained during the programme. Through discussions with our guests, the session also fostered meaningful dialogue that connected academic perspectives with real-world business practices.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the government agencies, companies, universities, associations and organisations that supported the implementation of Overseas Study Seminar I this year. Thanks to your generous support, this programme provided our participants with a highly valuable learning experience.

At ABS, we look forward to further developing this programme in the coming years and continuing to offer enriching international study opportunities. We also hope to see many of our partners again in Seattle. We sincerely hope that the connections made through this programme will lead to new collaborations and partnerships for future Seattle study trips and broader international initiatives in education and industry–academia cooperation.