Summary

This program invites students from the University of Texas at Austin to collaborate with Keio University’s Graduate School of Media Design in Japan for an educational experience.
Students will delve into the global challenge of climate change through the lens of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and transience. This approach encourages an appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature, technology, and human creativity. Our goal is to foster lasting engagement on climate change by building bridges between cultures through global partnerships and interdisciplinary approaches to media arts.
The President’s Award for Global Learning at the University of Texas at Austin is a prestigious year-long program that empowers students and faculty to address real-world global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and international partnership.
Through this unique initiative, students gain hands-on, cross-cultural experience and earn 4 credit hours by working closely with UT faculty and global partners. Faculty benefit by expanding their research networks and engaging in interdisciplinary scholarship. Together, they work toward UT Austin’s mission: “What Starts Here Changes the World.”
The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting some 52,000 students, 3,000 teaching faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 19 colleges and schools.
As Texas’ leading research university, UT attracts more than $650 million annually for discovery. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the university provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow’s artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers.

Behind the Scenes

Throughout the duration of our development phase, we have dedicated our efforts to a diverse range of endeavors. The following represent key highlights and pivotal moments from this extensive work.

Credits
The University of Texas at Austin

Year
June 2025