On July 23, Ms. Heidi Manley, Chief of USA Study Abroad, part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and Ms. Sydney Sparrow, Senior Program Officer for Japanese and Korean in the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program at the American Councils for International Education (ACIE), paid a courtesy visit to President NASU Yasutomo of Okayama University. From the University, Executive Director for Academic Affairs SUGA Seiji, Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni SUZUKI Takayoshi, Vice President for Global Engagement YOKOI Atsufumi, and other administrative staff attended the meeting.

ACIE serves as the U.S.-side implementing organization of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, a U.S. Department of State initiative, and Okayama University has been the only host institution in Japan since 2019. ECA oversees the CLS Program, and Ms. Manley—who was involved in launching CLS—currently leads the USA Study Abroad office, which promotes study abroad opportunities for American students.

During the courtesy visit, Ms. Manley expressed her deep appreciation for Okayama University’s contribution and hospitality in operating the CLS Program. She noted that the University’s program has earned an excellent reputation and that participating students report a very high level of satisfaction. She added that ECA “looks forward to continued collaboration with Okayama University.”

In response, President Nasu explained that the University has hosted a total of 167 American students through the CLS Program, and that interactions with CLS students have a highly positive impact on Okayama University students. He emphasized the University’s strong commitment to mutual exchange and international co-learning, expressing the desire to further strengthen the long-standing partnership with the U.S. Department of State and ACIE.

During their stay, the delegation observed classes of the ongoing CLS Program and met with CLS students, language partners, roommates, and faculty involved in the program—engaging in active and meaningful dialogue.

This visit further deepened the trust between Okayama University, the U.S. Department of State, and ACIE, reaffirming the high recognition of Okayama University’s international engagement and educational initiatives. The University will continue to promote global collaboration—including the CLS Program—and fulfill its mission as an institution open to the world.

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