The GMP Kickoff Forum, the first GMP Forum of the 2025 academic year, was held on Tuesday, April 22, in classroom 15-201. This event brought together current third- and fourth-year GMP students for the first time this year to celebrate the start of the new academic year. It was a valuable opportunity to deepen students’ awareness of and commitment to the GMP activities ahead. As the opening GMP event of the year, the forum included several recreational activities, providing a meaningful opportunity for students to deepen their engagement with the program and strengthen their connections with one another.
▶Opening Remarks by Professor Nakaide
The forum opened with a welcome from Professor Nakaide, the new Director of the GMP, who encouraged students to fully embrace their experience in the program, saying: “Through your involvement in the GMP, I hope you will grow to love English even more, and above all, enjoy every moment of the experience.” Inspired by his warm message, the students felt a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for the year ahead.
▶GMP Orientation
Following Professor Nakaide’s remarks, attendees watched a brief introductory video about the GMP. After the video, Mizuki Ueda, the Chair of this year’s GMP Student Committee, gave a short overview of the program. The presentation outlined what the GMP is, its purpose, the type of individuals it aims to develop, activities planned throughout the year, and the skills students can expect to acquire. Mr. Ueda also expressed a strong commitment to making this year’s GMP a program in which all students participate more actively than ever before, and one that truly supports their growth as future global business leaders.
▶Recreational Activities
In the recreational session that followed, students from different year levels and zemi groups were divided into 16 mixed teams to participate in English-based mini-games and group discussions designed to foster intergroup communication and collaboration.
The session began with a 15-minute mini-game called “Two Truths and One Lie,” in which each student shared two true facts and one false statement about themselves, while teammates tried to guess which one was the lie. Although many students appeared nervous at first, the atmosphere gradually relaxed, and the room soon filled with laughter and lively conversation.
Next, each team took part in a group discussion on the topic: “How can we increase the number of GMP students next year?” After brainstorming, they presented their ideas orally to neighboring teams.Thanks to the earlier icebreaker, even students less confident in their English participated actively. Many teams divided presentation roles among members, getting off to a good start in preparing for future presentations at upcoming GMP forums.
As these same teams will work together on a business case in the next GMP Forum, the teamwork and connections formed during this session are expected to serve as a strong foundation for the challenges ahead.
At the end of the forum, the Student Committee shared announcements about the upcoming overseas study trip in September and the GMP Career Forum scheduled for next month. For the new third-year students, this event marked their first real experience with GMP, and they seemed to have high hopes for the journey ahead.
Overall, the forum provided a valuable opportunity for GMP students to strengthen connections with peers they will be studying alongside over the coming year, while also reflecting on personal goals for their journey in the GMP.
