Changes to Akita International University Spring 2020 Semester Format

Up to this point, Akita International University had planned to welcome new students to campus on April 1 and start classes on April 9. However, due to the significant changes throughout the world due to the WHO-declared COVID-19 pandemic, AIU will start the Spring 2020 Semester on Monday, April 20, and will conduct the entire semester online via distance education.

Because of this change, all students, including new students and international students, are expected to enroll in courses from their homes, in principle.

AIU had made every possible effort to be able to receive you on campus and provide a safe and secure environment here for your studies. However, since AIU’s student body comes from around the country and the world, and all students live together in shared housing, participate in small, interactive classes, extensive group work, and a variety of activities both on and off campus, the risk of COVID-19 spreading rapidly on campus would be particularly high. Additionally, we have already seen many of our partner universities across Asia, Europe, and North America move their coursework to online, distance education to enable students to continue their studies in a safe environment. In order to maintain our student exchange relationships, AIU has determined to offer the same service so that students enrolling here can take courses in a safe environment.

Once the ongoing situation has settled we look forward to welcoming students to campus once again, and providing the same experience of shared living and studying, as well as our usual lesson format. However, since students’ health must be our top priority, we have had to reach this very difficult decision for the Spring 2020 Semester. We ask your kind understanding.

More information about course registration and enrolling in online distance learning courses will be provided separately, as soon as possible.