The OUS Global Center hosted the 2024 OUS Talks on October 30 at the Okayama and Imabari campuses of Okayama University of Science. This was the first time in three years that Imabari students participated in the event.
Unlike a regular English speech contest, OUS TALKS challenges students to present their ideas in English in front of an audience in an organized and concise way and expand on their ideas through interaction by answering questions from the audience.
Contestants chose one of five topics: "How Should We Live with AI?," "My Memorable Journey," "My Bad Habit," "Are Video Games Art?" or "Free Topic." Six OUS students, four from the Okayama campus and two from Imabari delivered passionate five-minute speeches, used PowerPoint as a visual aid, and followed up by responding to questions about their presentations.
Naoto Tomioka, Okayama University of Science Vice-President, Professor Haruo Akashi of the Institute of Frontier Science and Technology, and Global Center Director and English professor Yoko Maekawa were on hand as contest judges.
The event began with a warm-up exercise organized by English instructor Jason Baidenmann, who challenged contestants and the audience to recite two tongue twisters.
Gwack Seungchan, a second-year student of the Department of Architecture, took first place in this year's contest. His presentation topic was "Voices of the Forgotten." He spoke about how the outside world reduces the suffering of victims of global conflicts to statistical numbers and ignores the humanitarian impact.
Dawt Tha Bor, a Graduate School of Science and Engineering Master's Program student, took second place. Her presentation topic was “My Memorable Journey.” She spoke about her summer trip to Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures and how the experience changed her life and made her reflect on Japanese culture, the importance of preserving historical architecture, and the impact of natural disasters.
Hinami Todaka, a second-year Department of Veterinary Medicine student, took third place. Her presentation topic was also "My Memorable Journey.” She spoke about her two-week experience in Findlay, Ohio, in the United States, her first trip to the country. She reflected on how her difficulties in speaking and understanding English motivated her to become a global veterinarian and a bridge between Japan and other countries and, therefore, to study harder for her future.
The other students also delivered powerful presentations.
Geethmal Dassanayake, a second-year student in the Active Learners Course, chose "How Should We Live with AI?" as his topic. In his presentation, he described two scenarios: AI as a benevolent partner of humanity that benefits individuals and communities, and AI used as a divisive tool for political and corporate gain.
Kento Date, a first-year Department of Information Science and Engineering student, chose "Are Video Games Art?" for his topic. He drew comparisons between the human effects of traditional art, paintings, music, and literature and that of video games. He explained how the creativity used to make works of art is the same as creating scenery, music, and characters in video games.
Satoshi Segawa, a second-year Department of Veterinary Medicine student, also presented his perspective on "Are Video Games Art?" He began by defining art and explaining why video games are art by comparing them with movies.
Each presentation inspired the audience to think and develop thoughtful questions that required well-thought-out answers from the contestants. The event ended with a commemorative photo of judges and contestants.
Unlike a regular English speech contest, OUS TALKS challenges students to present their ideas in English in front of an audience in an organized and concise way and expand on their ideas through interaction by answering questions from the audience.
Contestants chose one of five topics: "How Should We Live with AI?," "My Memorable Journey," "My Bad Habit," "Are Video Games Art?" or "Free Topic." Six OUS students, four from the Okayama campus and two from Imabari delivered passionate five-minute speeches, used PowerPoint as a visual aid, and followed up by responding to questions about their presentations.
Naoto Tomioka, Okayama University of Science Vice-President, Professor Haruo Akashi of the Institute of Frontier Science and Technology, and Global Center Director and English professor Yoko Maekawa were on hand as contest judges.
The event began with a warm-up exercise organized by English instructor Jason Baidenmann, who challenged contestants and the audience to recite two tongue twisters.
Gwack Seungchan, a second-year student of the Department of Architecture, took first place in this year's contest. His presentation topic was "Voices of the Forgotten." He spoke about how the outside world reduces the suffering of victims of global conflicts to statistical numbers and ignores the humanitarian impact.
Dawt Tha Bor, a Graduate School of Science and Engineering Master's Program student, took second place. Her presentation topic was “My Memorable Journey.” She spoke about her summer trip to Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures and how the experience changed her life and made her reflect on Japanese culture, the importance of preserving historical architecture, and the impact of natural disasters.
Hinami Todaka, a second-year Department of Veterinary Medicine student, took third place. Her presentation topic was also "My Memorable Journey.” She spoke about her two-week experience in Findlay, Ohio, in the United States, her first trip to the country. She reflected on how her difficulties in speaking and understanding English motivated her to become a global veterinarian and a bridge between Japan and other countries and, therefore, to study harder for her future.
The other students also delivered powerful presentations.
Geethmal Dassanayake, a second-year student in the Active Learners Course, chose "How Should We Live with AI?" as his topic. In his presentation, he described two scenarios: AI as a benevolent partner of humanity that benefits individuals and communities, and AI used as a divisive tool for political and corporate gain.
Kento Date, a first-year Department of Information Science and Engineering student, chose "Are Video Games Art?" for his topic. He drew comparisons between the human effects of traditional art, paintings, music, and literature and that of video games. He explained how the creativity used to make works of art is the same as creating scenery, music, and characters in video games.
Satoshi Segawa, a second-year Department of Veterinary Medicine student, also presented his perspective on "Are Video Games Art?" He began by defining art and explaining why video games are art by comparing them with movies.
Each presentation inspired the audience to think and develop thoughtful questions that required well-thought-out answers from the contestants. The event ended with a commemorative photo of judges and contestants.