The APU Incentive Scholarship for Self-motivated Students

The APU Incentive Scholarship for Self-motivated Students is given to students actively involved in extracurricular self-motivated activities. Scholarship of 100,000 yen is awarded to student organizations and 50,000 yen is awarded to individual applicants. Application will be start around June. Further details available on the Student Services website.

The Award for Excellence in Cultural Activities, Arts, and Sports

This award recognizes groups or individuals who have made continuous efforts to achieve the high goals they have set and who have a record of excellence in one of the areas of cultural activities, the arts, or sports.
The Social Contribution Award

This award recognizes groups or individuals whose activities have greatly contributed to the APU community and solving problems confronting local communities or society as a whole either within Japan or overseas.
The Award for Outstanding Contributions to Learning

This award recognizes groups or individuals who have organized and held creative events or activities that utilize their studies at APU to share their learning with a wide range of people.
Division of Student Affairs Award

This award is given to students recommended by a faculty or staff member who have shown exceptional responsibility and leadership in their self-motivated activities.

2026 Winners

The Award for Excellence in Cultural Activities, Arts, and Sports

HSU CHERRY

Served as an expert speaker for the UNODA YPS–YDN Thematic Paper launch as a Y4D alumna and joined the YLF 2nd cohort. Additionally, won 3rd Global Prize in the UNODA Digital Arts contest, leading to an official artwork exhibition at the United Nations Headquarters during the NPT Review Conference in May 2026.

ROSHA GUNJEET

Represented APU and Japan in numerous international business and innovation competitions, securing a top podium finish across multiple of them worldwide. He also serves as the co-founder and developer of a social innovation startup called ElderCare Connect, which is an innovative caregiving solution for aging populations across the world.

The Social Contribution Award

ProjectB STOP

During the activity period, STOP conducted a campus-wide health and well-being survey, a motivational poster campaign, and discussion sessions with faculty members regarding student stress. Based on the findings, we organized an Introduction to Pilates Session, Health Care Training Session with a healthcare professional, Financial Management Session, Introduction to Martial Arts Session, and Dance for Body and Mind Session. These activities promoted student well-being, stress management, healthy lifestyles, and a more supportive APU community.

KOMIZO SHUTA

Through food bank activities and community-building initiatives in Kamegawa, Beppu City, I contributed to revitalizing the local community by serving as a bridge between students and local residents.

HONDA HAYATO

I operate "MYSHOKU," a dining information platform for individuals with food allergies and dietary restrictions. Key achievements include implementing the system at the APU cafeteria and Kijima Kogen Park, conducting joint research with APU, leading training sessions for the hospitality industry, and achieving over 200,000 reach on social media.

The Award for Outstanding Contributions to Learning

Circle Wadaiko “Raku”

Performed in 10 stage shows for an audience of approximately 300 people during an overseas tour in Tainan, Taiwan, promoting the appeal of Japanese taiko to an international audience. In addition, participated in university and community events, organized collaborative performances with other groups, and led independence performance, contributing to the preservation of Japanese culture and engagement with local and global communities.

SAI WAI LIN

Pursued two self-motivated activities applying my APU studies. At University of Waterloo during exchange, I served as research lead for my capstone, developing a civic technology platform for the City of Iqaluit, earning three awards and federal recognition from Canada Service Corps. At the HPAIR conference in Tokyo, I was one of five selected speakers, delivering a talk on grassroots civic advocacy in Myanmar. Both let me represent APU and share my learning internationally.

KANAZAWA HIROTAKA

For my self-motivated activity, I applied the knowledge of business administration, marketing, and organizational management gained at APU to collaborate with a team of ten students in operating a coffee shop and launching a roastery. In addition, I focused on strengthening and institutionalizing the succession system for junior members to ensure the organization's long-term sustainability and continued growth.

Division of Student Affairs Award

OKADA KAI

As the leader of the Tenku Festival Executive Committee, I successfully led and delivered the Tenku Festival as part of APU's 25th Anniversary Commemorative Project.

YATSUZUKA AYAME

As the leader of the Tenku Festival Executive Committee, I successfully led and delivered the Tenku Festival as part of APU's 25th Anniversary Commemorative Project.

List of Past Awardees