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Ubunture

A student group from the University of Tokyo & SHIMOKITA COLLEGE, addressing educational gaps in South Africa through unplugged ICT and global collaboration.

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About

About Us

“Creating the future, together” — Ubunture

Ubunture is a student organization from the University of Tokyo that expands children’s freedom to learn and their power to dream through ICT education.

Ubuntu is a Zulu word meaning “I am because you are,” a philosophy of care and mutual support. We paired this with Future to form Ubunture, reflecting our stance of bringing diverse people together to co-create learning that truly helps in the field.

Through ICT, we expand children’s freedom to learn and their power to dream around the world.
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Message from the Representative

I grew up in a small town surrounded by mountains and sea in Ehime Prefecture, learning survival skills from my grandfather. While those days were joyful, I began to feel limited by the smallness of my world. What broadened it was the internet and computers. Through programming, I discovered the joy of turning ideas into reality.

One day, a friend studying in South Africa told me about the local ICT education gap—a lack of materials, electricity, and teacher training that deprives many children of learning opportunities. As ICT once changed my life, I felt compelled to bring that power to others. Together with like‑minded peers, we launched the student group Ubunture.

I believe many conflicts arise from not knowing the other. The ability to understand people and the world is indispensable—and it should be fun. Especially in difficult times, rather than shutting ourselves in, we can use ICT to open up the world. This project is the first step toward that dream.

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Project

Key Activities

UNPLUGGED ICT Education

Learning without computers. Using abacuses, cards, and familiar tools, we foster algorithmic thinking and logic through unplugged ICT education.

TEACHER TRAINING

A system that allows teachers to keep teaching. We provide training for local teachers to integrate ICT education into their own classes.

GLOBAL EXCHANGE

Connecting cultures and broadening learning. We promote international cooperation where students, children, and communities in Japan and South Africa learn from diverse perspectives through exchange.

Team

Members

Daichi Sawachika

Affiliation: 1st year, College of Arts & Sciences (Natural Sciences I), The University of Tokyo
Background: Developed an interest in educational inequality in high school, conducted international comparative research, and won a domestic competition for the paper. Currently engaged in activities to reduce educational disparities with NPOs and student groups in the Noto region. Also plans and runs inquiry-based learning events for children and leads a university seminar on the theory and practice of inquiry learning. Interested in ICT as well, works on robotics and math-driven problem solving using digital technology, and has achieved results in competitions in Japan and abroad—bridging science & technology with education.

Natsuki Hino

Affiliation: 2nd year, College of Arts & Sciences (Natural Sciences I), The University of Tokyo
Background: With seven years of invasive species research up to university and multiple STEM research experiences including two peer-reviewed papers, supports high school and university students through UTokyo research programs. Strong interest in education and exchange abroad, backed by one year of volunteering in Cambridge and Sydney and several overseas programs.

Aria Mitani

Affiliation: 1st year, College of Arts & Sciences (Humanities I), The University of Tokyo
Background: Spent ten months on exchange in Chicago in 1st year of high school; through interactions with a host family, international students—including those facing refugee and poverty issues—and local friends from diverse backgrounds, developed interests in international cooperation and politics. At university, joined a field program in the Philippines on development and poverty in urban and agricultural contexts, and works in a student group organizing conferences in Boston and Tokyo for international exchange.

Hiromi Katakura

Affiliation: 1st year, College of Arts & Sciences (Natural Sciences I), The University of Tokyo
Background: Focused on aviation in high school, studying accident investigation and pilot training. National champion in an English oratory contest on international relations. Now a member and vice-representative of HUAP (a UTokyo club that exchanges with Harvard students), handling coordination and outreach, and serves as outreach lead at Ubunture. Currently researching pilot training centered on CBTA with support from multiple companies and writing related papers.

Manato Ichitaka

Affiliation: Integrated Sciences, Fundamentals of Materials Science Course, The University of Tokyo
Background: Having studied at an international school and in the U.S., developed interests in diplomacy and international development through Model UN since high school. Selected as a Japan delegate and won top awards at a world tournament. Received the top prize at a mock African Union event held as a TICAD side program; conversations with South African engineers and the Ambassador cultivated a strong interest in South Africa.

Moeno Kakazu

Background: Senior undergraduate based in Tokyo. Operates a digital inquiry-learning program, designing and delivering curricula both online and offline. Interested in international development and cooperation; through an internship at an international education startup, has worked on exchanges with schools in Southeast Asia and Africa and on projects collaborating with local education boards.

Naotaro Inoue

Affiliation: 1st year, Natural Sciences II, The University of Tokyo
Background: Two-time Japan representative at the International Geography Olympiad, winning bronze medals; received awards from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Interested in international geography; in this project, is responsible for research, analysis, and fact-checking from a sociological perspective.

Supporters

Riko Kasai

Affiliation: African Leadership Academy / The School for Ethics and Global Leadership
Background: After representing Japan at the Future Scientists Summer Camp in middle school and spending time with students from ten countries, became interested in how social issues facing children in Africa and Asia are lived realities for friends. From August, will study at African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg as the first fully funded Asian student. A Rise Global Fellow and Mercedes-Benz Fellow, involved in education projects across five countries. Leads Ubunture collaborations with African students and local organizations.

Kairi Morinaga

Affiliation: 1st year, College of Arts & Sciences (Natural Sciences I), The University of Tokyo
Background: Representative of “Zerofiri,” a group promoting Japan–Africa exchanges. Organizes various exchange events and disseminates information about overseas opportunities; recently hosted multi-university international culture events with support from Suginami Ward, Tokyo. Provides on-the-ground insights and creates connections for this project.

Toshihiro Noguchi

Background: Interested in the social implementation of advanced technologies from an early age; currently an AI engineer and project manager working on organizational building and deploying cutting-edge tech. Active at a startup from the UTokyo Matsuo Lab, aiming to create global businesses leveraging Japan’s strengths in AI and robotics. Intends to work on technologies such as water purification in impoverished regions like parts of Africa. Supports this project by providing ICT expertise and assisting with teaching-material development.

News

Latest Updates

Support

Ways to Support

We welcome support from both individuals and organizations.

People & Connections Networking Support

Please help bridge us with schools, education departments, NPOs, and universities in South Africa. Introductions to local partners, coordination, access to pilot sites, and event collaborations are powerful forms of support.

Knowledge & Advice Expert Support

We seek advisors for unplugged ICT curriculum/materials, teacher‑training design, learning assessment & data analysis, ICT/education, PR, legal, accounting, and fundraising. Both one‑off advice and ongoing mentorship are welcome.

Financial Support Donations & Sponsorships

Donations and sponsorships fund materials, printing, teacher training, and field pilots. Organizations receive returns such as logo display, activity reports, and invitations to on‑site/online briefings.

Contact us (open email)

¥3,000 | Bronze Plan

3,000JPY
  • Thank‑you email
  • Exclusive desktop/mobile wallpapers (activity photos + Ubunture icon)
  • Activity report PDF (A4 / 2 pages)
  • Invite to supporter open chat (LINE/Discord) — through Mar 2026
Support with this plan

¥5,000 | Silver Plan

5,000JPY
  • Everything in lower plans
  • Access to a private photo album (safety‑screened)
  • Mini activity kit (PDF) for unplugged learning at home
  • Voting right for the next teaching‑material theme
Support with this plan

¥10,000 | Gold Plan

Recommended

10,000JPY
  • Everything in lower plans
  • Personalized supporter certificate (PDF)
  • Small‑group online briefing (≈60 min; multiple dates; Q&A)
  • Your name on the Supporters Wall (small size, 1 year; optional / nickname OK)
  • Implementation report (A4 ~20 pages)
  • Limited activity journal (behind‑the‑scenes; note & medium)
  • Two children’s teaching materials of your choice (from 4 types)
  • Set of 5 project postcards
Support with this plan

¥30,000 | Platinum Plan

*Limited to 20

30,000JPY
  • Everything in lower plans (except small‑size name on Supporters Wall)
  • One‑on‑one online briefing (60 min; select from proposed dates)
  • Invitation to the final annual briefing (Mar 2026; Tokyo + online)
  • Your name on the Supporters Wall (medium size, 1 year)
  • Your name in the acknowledgments of the report (optional; one‑time)
  • Detailed implementation report (incl. South Africa education analysis & lesson plans; PDF ~50 pages)
  • All four children’s teaching materials
Support with this plan

¥50,000 | Diamond Plan

*Limited to 10

50,000JPY
  • Everything in lower plans (except small/medium name display)
  • Your name (small) printed at the end of teaching materials (limited period; placement designated by the team)
  • Name introduction during briefings
  • Your name on the Supporters Wall (large size, 1 year)
  • One online guest lesson (60 min; schools/organizations; Japanese/English)
Support with this plan

¥100,000 | Crown Plan

*Limited to 5

100,000JPY
  • Everything in lower plans (excludes Supporters Wall display, name in materials, and the one online lesson)
  • Small‑size display on the Sponsors page (1 year)
  • Thank‑you post on official SNS (Instagram) with your name
  • One in‑person guest lesson (or three online lessons, 60 min each)
    *For schools/organizations; Japanese/English. For in‑person sessions, please cover actual transportation costs from Tokyo.
Support with this plan
Support application form
Supporter Voices

Messages of Support

  • I am truly moved by the young energy taking on the challenge of turning educational “gaps” in South Africa into “possibilities.”

    The power of ICT is not confined to computers or internet access—when we draw on “wisdom” and “creativity,” its potential expands without limit. You are embodying that very spirit.

    Through science, I also work to “keep the flame of science alive wherever you are in the world.” This project resonates deeply with that aspiration. I hope many more people will learn about this challenge. It is the “young people who act” who create the future. You have my full support!

    Genki Ichioka ｜ GENKI LABO

  • I deeply resonate with Ubunture’s ambition to expand ICT education starting from South Africa!

    As the organizer of “52Hz,” an online community that supports students applying to universities abroad, I’m reminded every day of the power of technology to broaden our horizons and the potential of learning to expand future choices. I’ve been active between Japan and the United States, and Ubunture’s mission speaks to me. It’s also very encouraging to see them—juniors from my alma mater, the University of Tokyo—taking on the challenge in Africa, a field different from my own.

    Having founded two companies in Japan’s education sector, I’ve come to appreciate the high quality of education in this country. Precisely because of that, I’m convinced that if we can bring high-quality, Japan-born educational infrastructure to learners worldwide, we can fundamentally reduce educational inequality. I wholeheartedly support Ubunture’s bold challenge!

    Rinyu Tanitsu CEO, Tokitsukaze Inc.｜Director, 52Hz (General Incorporated Association)