Since 2015, SPICE has offered an online course, the “SPICE/Stanford e-Course on Global Health” or Stanford e-Takatsuki to students mainly enrolled in Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School’s Global Advanced Course. Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School is located in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture. 

Since its launch, the course has provided 378 students with a unique learning opportunity that includes both a broad overview of the importance of global health and a special focus on international work conducted by medical researchers and practitioners at Stanford University and beyond. The speakers from Stanford are listed below. 

• Dr. Catherine Blish, Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford Medicine; Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research, Stanford University School of Medicine

• Dr. Fumiaki Ikeno, Program Director (U.S.) Japan Biodesign, Stanford Biodesign; Research Associate, Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine

• Dr. S.V. Mahadevan, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine; Director, Global Affairs and Strategy, Stanford University School of Medicine

• Dr. Anurag Mairal, Adjunct Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Business; Faculty Fellow and Lead, Technology Innovation and Impact at Center for Innovation in Global Health; Director, Global Outreach Programs, Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign

• Dr. Kazunari Sasaki, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Abdominal Transplant, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine

• Dr. Samuel So, Lui Hac Minh Professor and Professor of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine; Founder and Director, Asian Liver Center, Stanford University School of Medicine

• Dr. Paul Wise, Professor in Pediatrics – Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University; Senior Fellow, Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law and the Center for International Security and Cooperation, Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University

• Dr. Phillip C. Yang, Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine), Stanford University School of Medicine

From September to March over the past nine years, the students have participated in “virtual classes” in English and have had the opportunity to engage the guest lecturers in question-and-answer sessions. The virtual classes have covered a variety of topics ranging from stem cell research to psychiatry. Course instructor Sabrina Ishimatsu commented:

In teaching this course, I feel so indebted to the guest lecturers who have not only shared their expertise with my students in an accessible way but also served as excellent role models. The primary aim of the course is to nurture future global leaders who have a profound awareness of the significance of global health. I am extremely honored to be part of a course that brings together leading medical professionals from Stanford and other institutions with curious and driven high school students who are interested in expanding their minds on global health topics. Many of our past speakers have said they were impressed with the students’ high level of questions.

Tsuyoshi Kudo, Takatsuki’s principal, reflected:

The education SPICE has given to Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School for the past nine years is so much that I can’t possibly put my thanks into words. I sincerely hope we’ll be able to continue this wonderful e-course. Many alumni of Stanford e-Takatsuki have gone on to pursue medical studies, and I believe that their academic studies continue to be shaped by many of the scholars whom they met in the course.

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On November 10, 2023, I had the opportunity to visit Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School for the first time since before the pandemic. I had the chance to meet with Principal Kudo, give a talk titled “What Does It Mean to Be a Global Citizen?” to former and current students of the SPICE/Stanford e-Course on Global Health, and meet with the faculty at the school. (Photo above courtesy of Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School; Principal Kudo appears on the far left, front row.) 

During my visit, I realized again what an exemplary school Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School is under the incredible vision and leadership of Principal Kudo. Under his leadership, Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School has obtained both “Super Science High School” (SSH) and “Super Global High School” (SGH) designations awarded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). What an honor it has been for Sabrina Ishimatsu and me to collaborate with Principal Kudo and Takatsuki Jr. and Sr. High School for nine years. 

For more information about SPICE’s online courses for students, visit our Student Programs page. To stay informed of SPICE news, join our email list and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.