Tsuru program marks milestones in international teacher education

In 2026, the Faculty of Education’s Office of International Education celebrated two major milestones with its Tsuru University partnership: the 13th Tsuru program and the 50th international non-credit program since 2010.

From February 8 to March 1, 2026, 24 pre-service teachers from Tsuru University, Japan, participated in a three-week program focused on international education, intercultural exchange, and teacher development.

“What makes this milestone meaningful is not only the longevity of the program, but the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment that have grown between our institutions over time,” says Dr. Akiko Kambaru, Group Liaison for multiple Tsuru programs, including 2025 and 2026. “The partnership continues to create meaningful opportunities for student teachers to expand their perspectives, reflect on their beliefs, and develop as educators in an interconnected world.”

The program included on-campus workshops, school visits, and field experiences designed to introduce participants to Canadian culture and the B.C. education system while encouraging them to think critically about their own emerging identities as educators. Throughout the three weeks, Tsuru student teachers engaged with themes such as inquiry, inclusion, diversity, indigeneity, reflective practice, and teacher identity.

For Tsuru University, the long-standing partnership also holds significant institutional value.

“This milestone is highly significant for us,” says Dr. Hiroyuki Terakawa, Head of Department from 2014 to 2019. “As a regional public university with a strong commitment to teacher education, being able to offer this SFU-hosted program as part of our curriculum reflects the Department of School Education’s broad international perspective and enhances the quality of learning we provide to future teachers.”

Participants also visited local schools and learning sites across the region. Highlights included cultural presentations by the visiting student teachers at University Highlands Elementary, a visit to Suncrest Elementary on Pink Shirt Day, and field trips to Grouse Mountain and the híwus Feasthouse, as well as Science World, where students participated in the Science is Everywhere guided workshop. 

“Perhaps one of the most significant outcomes is that students begin to see themselves from a more relative and objective perspective,” says Dr. Yukiko Bekku, Group Liaison for the 2020 and 2025 programs. “They develop broader and deeper frameworks for thinking, reflecting, and understanding their role as future teachers.”

The program's impact also extends beyond the visiting cohort. Each year, the Tsuru program enriches learning at SFU and in local schools by bringing global perspectives into classrooms and supporting intercultural understanding, community-engaged learning, and shared dialogue about the future of education.

Its continued success has been shaped by collaboration, trust, and mutual learning among educators in the Faculty of Education, local school partners, and Tsuru University faculty. This year’s program was also supported by faculty from Tsuru University, including Drs. Kiyoshi Mizuguchi, Ikuyo Oda, and Akiko Kambaru. 

As the Faculty marks these milestones, the 2026 Tsuru program highlights the enduring value of international partnerships grounded in shared purpose, collaborative learning, and student-centred approaches to education.