On June 4, 2026, the IUJ Research Institute, in collaboration with the International Relations Student Council and International Management Student Council, hosted the IUJ Research Pitch Competition 2026 on campus.
The competition challenged participants to present their research in just three minutes using a single slide, encouraging students to communicate the significance of their work in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen their presentation skills while sharing their research with the wider IUJ community.
This year’s competition attracted enthusiastic participation from students across programs and featured a lively atmosphere with strong support from fellow students and faculty members. Presentations were evaluated based on both the quality of the research and the effectiveness of the presentation.
The judging panel consisted of Professor Jiwon Jung (GSIR), Professor Ben Sheehan (GSIM), and student participants through a live audience vote.
The First Prize was awarded to Ms. Jaya Kala Rai (Nepal) of the PMPP program, supervised by Professor Yamada. Her presentation on women’s political underrepresentation was recognized for its clarity, strong delivery, and relevance to contemporary social issues.
Notable presenters included:
- Jaya Kala Rai (Nepal)
- Bilal Muhammad Usama (Pakistan)
- Aliyu Al-Mujtaba (Nigeria)
- Tun Aung Kyaw (Myanmar)
- Omondi Raphael Okello (Kenya)
In addition to the competition, attendees were introduced to various research facilities and initiatives at IUJ, including FPV drone training simulators, AR/VR equipment, and the university’s emerging Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) Lab.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Ben Sheehan noted:
“Events like this help us build a stronger culture of research and innovation across campus. Research should not remain hidden inside classrooms or manuscripts. It should be shared, discussed, and celebrated.”
The IUJ Research Pitch Competition continues to serve as an important platform for fostering interdisciplinary exchange, promoting research communication skills, and showcasing the diverse research interests of IUJ students.
The competition once again highlighted the diversity, talent, and international perspectives that make IUJ a place where the world gathers.
The IUJ Research Institute extends its congratulations to all participants and thanks everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s event.