From Tokyo to Harare: A JICA Volunteer's Reflection on the GCI Journey
Mangwanani, HIT!
There's something quietly extraordinary about watching someone discover your home country for the very first time, through their eyes, not yours. That's exactly what happened to me when I had the privilege of accompanying HIT students on their trip to Japan as part of the GCI (Global Computing Initiative) Programme hosted at Matsuo Laboratory, University of Tokyo.
I am Mayui Kitamoto, a JICA volunteer based right here at HIT, and this experience reshaped the way I see both my country and yours.
Two Institutions, One Vision
Matsuo Laboratory is no ordinary research space. Nestled within one of Asia's most prestigious universities, it has become a launchpad for over 40 startups, built on the belief that AI shouldn't just live in academic papers but should solve real problems for real people. Sound familiar? It should. That's precisely the spirit that drives HIT's own commitment to innovation and technopreneurship.
Seeing students from HIT walk through those corridors, engage with researchers, and hold their own in conversations about cutting-edge AI, that was one of the proudest moments I've witnessed since arriving in Zimbabwe. The synergy between these two institutions isn't just potential. It's already alive.
Seeing Japan Through Zimbabwean Eyes
What I didn't expect was how much I would learn. Experiencing Japan alongside Zimbabwean students gave me an entirely new lens, their curiosity, their enthusiasm, and their fresh perspectives on everything from robotics labs to ramen shops made me fall in love with my own country all over again.
That is the magic of genuine cross-cultural exchange. It doesn't just broaden horizons, it flips them entirely.
37 Completions. 37 Reasons to Be Proud.
Last year, 37 HIT students completed the GCI course. Thirty-seven! Each one of them is now part of the Matsuo Lab community, a global network that opens doors to continued learning, mentorship, and entrepreneurial support long after the programme ends. That's not just a certificate. That's a community, a connection, and a springboard.
Your Turn - Applications Are OPEN!
The GCI Programme is back for another year, and this time, it could be your name on that list.
If you've ever dreamt of learning AI at an international level, connecting with brilliant minds from across the globe, and returning to Zimbabwe with ideas that could genuinely change things, this is your moment.
🗓 Application Deadline: 30th March 2026
🔗 Apply here: https://t.co/aP7tNGeKqW
Don't let this one slip by. The world is paying attention to what Zimbabwe's next generation of tech leaders can do. HIT students have already proven they belong on that global stage.
#HIT #HarareInstituteOfTechnology #GCIProgramme #MatsуoLab #UniversityOfTokyo #JICA #AIforAfrica #ZimbabweanExcellence #Technopreneurship #GlobalLearning #FutureIsNow
Four HIT Students Visit Japan through the GCI Programme at Matsuo Laboratory (University of Tokyo), a Leading AI Research Institute in Japan.
The four students, Tinomudaishe Mwarewangepo, Rufaro Mugabe, Hofisi Tanatswa, and Joshua Watambgwa, were invited to Japan as a reward for being selected as outstanding participants in the GCI Programme offered by the Matsuo Laboratory (University of Tokyo), one of Japan’s leading AI research institutes, last year.
A JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) volunteer, Mayui Kitamoto, also accompanied the students during their trip.
A total of 21 students were selected as top performers out of 7,724 participants in the GCI course from around the world, four of whom were from HIT.
The four students were in Japan with other top performers from other countries.
This incredible opportunity allowed our students to engage with one of the world’s leading AI research labs, gain global exposure, and build meaningful international connections.
During their visit, the students participated in a variety of academic and cultural activities alongside peers from around the world, including a tour of the University of Tokyo, sessions with Matsuo Lab startups, fundamental research roundtable discussions, visits to a robotics research team and the Japanese language and culture lectures.
These experiences not only deepened their understanding of AI and innovation but also inspired them to think globally and act locally.
The four students and others who completed the programme will continue to be part of the Matsuo Lab community, aiming to contribute to Zimbabwe through what they have learned.
Applications for this year’s GCI Program are still OPEN!
Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to learn, connect, and grow on a global stage.
Apply Now! https://t.co/aP7tNGeKqW
Deadline: March 30th
SWITCHED×SWITCHED(English ver)1/5
This work was specially created by Japanese manga artist Oda Hiroko for the Zimbabwean manga magazine Kalabash.
The story follows a Japanese and a Zimbabwean high school student who suddenly switch minds.
As they face to unfamiliar environments and cultural differences, they come to understand each other through their shared love of manga.
It is a bright and hopeful story that celebrates friendship across cultures through the power of manga.