 
| After studying architecture at the University of Sri Lanka, Mr. Cassim then commenced a master's and doctoral program at Tokyo University. He subsequently worked in the Japanese private sector and at the UN Center for Regional Development as a chief and senior researcher before joining Ritsumeikan University in 1994 as a Professor for the college of International Relations. A native of Sri Lanka, he was appointed to the presidency of APU in April 2004. |
APS 2, Japan/APS NEWS Society
“This was a great opportunity to speak with President Cassim and hear what he thinks about a lot of different things. For APU to improve, I think we need to make more opportunities like this for students.” |
APM 3, Bulgaria / AP House Resident Assistant
“I got the sense that Mr. Cassim is a very warmhearted person. He has very broad interests and has had considerable experience in a variety of fields. In this regard, I hope to be like Mr. Cassim thirty years from now.” |
APM 1, India / APU Boundless
“I really liked what Mr. Cassim had to say, especially about always keeping a positive attitude when living in a foreign culture.” |
|
|
A special discussion with newly appointed university President Monte CASSIM gave three students a rare opportunity
to candidly express their thoughts about their experiences at APU.
The initial nervousness of the students soon faded under Mr. Cassim s gentle guidance, and before long,
the discussion shed its patina of formality and took on the relaxed air of a friendly chat—not unlike an intimate seminar with an affable professor.
The students invited Mr. Cassim—whose early academic career in Japan parallels that of the students to share his ideas and advice,
prompting him to speak animatedly about his wealth of experience as an exchange student in Japan;
as a professor; and now, as the man at the helm of APU.
The president even found time to have lunch with the students after the discussion,
despite it lasting far longer than scheduled. (English continued on the following page.)
|
|
|
New students face uncertainty, hope and high expectations |
|
| |
Cassim: First of all, let me tell you a little bit about myself. Back when I was a student, I was very much into playing rugby. So although I may look relatively healthy on the outside, I'm actually quite smashed-up on the inside! (laughter) I'm also a music lover, and a big fan of the late Maria Callas. I have a lot of speakers set up at home; I'm quite fussy about sound quality.
Rajat: I'm very interested in hearing your impressions of APU. What did you think when, as a professor of Ritsumeikan University, you were suddenly nominated for the presidency of APU?
Cassim: I was absolutely stunned when I was offered this APU position. Yes, I was marginally involved in the very early discussions when the concepts for establishing APU were being discussed at Ritsumeikan University. I had strong views on the APU concept, but was never directly involved. That's why I felt it was an extremely weighty responsibility to take on.
Rajat: So you hesitated?
Cassim: Sure, of course I did. I loved teaching and directly interacting with students, but at the same time, I was really moved by the fact that people believed in my ability to head APU. I could have declined, of course, but I didn't want to disappoint the people who had placed their faith in me.
Elica: How do you feel now that you're here?
Cassim: I'm still finding my way around a lot of things, just as I'm sure you must have done when you first arrived. However since coming to APU and working on this campus on a day-to-day basis, I've become captivated by all the exciting new possibilities on the horizon.
Elica: That sums up how we feel, too.
Cassim: Throughout the ages, new students have always had complex and contradictory feelings about their situation, especially when charting new frontiers. Likewise, I do have some doubts about my ability to live up to everyone's expectations but, at the same time, I also see great potential in what can be accomplished at an institution like APU. You must help me to make sure I do not waste my time here. |
|
Crossing the language barrier |
|
| |
Cassim: Tell me about your interests and what kinds of activities you are engaged in here on campus?
Elica: I help out students at AP House as an RA (Resident Assistant). I confess there are times when I feel a wall dividing the international and domestic students into two groups.
Suda: I'm sure this is something that people feel outside of AP House, too.
Elica: We RAs need to take the initiative and work to break down this wall to bring a heightened sense of cooperation and understanding to the dorms. I've been holding a weekly film screening for just this reason. I ask in advance to see what people want to watch and select movies from the suggestions I received. After all, movies are something that everyone can enjoy─regardless of nationality.
Rajat: I'm involved with APU Boundless, the university's online newspaper. It's always interesting to have online discussions on the website. Regardless of the topic, you never know just how cultural barriers and discrepancies will influence the conversation.
Cassim: Every social environment is governed by its own unique dynamics, and we encounter different challenges depending on the situation. Perhaps such challenges should be embraced as a natural part of one's development. What is important is that you don't give up straight away when a problem arises; if something doesn't work─try again with a different approach. I believe that people should stay positive and keep communication channels wide open. The process of consolidating and resolving an issue is no less important than the issue itself. So let's work together on dismantling the walls that divide domestic and international students. I'd be more than happy to help.
Suda: I don't know if this would solve any problems, but what if we were to have activities that don't depend on language ability? The language barrier is here to stay, so why not create more activities that don't require complex conversations? I think this would really help students connect with one another. Rajat:Activities that don't depend on language?
Rajat: Activities that don't depend on language?
Suda: Yeah, like Elica's film screenings for example. Also, we could have courses that focus on athletics, music, or cooking food from different countries. How did you get along with others, Mr. Cassim?
Cassim: Back in the 1970s, I spent eight years conducting research on how Asia should develop in the 80s. The researchers in this group, called “Group Asia '80”, were of mixed origins, coming from both Japan and other Asian countries. This meant that our common language was Japanese. We investigated a wide range of issues, analyzed individual regions through the lens of our own academic specialties, and sought to uncover ways in which our research could be applied to better our home countries and regions. It was an amazing experience for me that drove home the importance of two things: having a shared tongue in which to communicate your ideas and knowledge, and working with people who have contrasting national or regional backgrounds. I suggest that you first develop your knowledge of a particular field, and then improve your language skills so that you can communicate this knowledge to others. I hope that your time at APU will give you ample opportunity to do this.
Rajat: If that's the case, we really need to concentrate on studying Japanese. Can you suggest any effective study methods?
Cassim: How about reading the explanations of graphic or pictorial contents of newspapers and journals? The charts and graphs in particular provide good clues to an article's content and many words that are useful for understanding current events. This is how I used to study, even when I couldn't read very many kanji characters, and before long I was reading Meiji Era statistics!
Rajat: President Cassim's personal Japanese study method... I'll give it a try right away! |
|
APU: a miniature UN: a microcosm of planet earth |
|
| |
Elica: What kinds of plans do you have for APU?
Cassim: Since APU opened its doors to students, it has attracted the interest of prominent figures not only within Japan, but around the world. Many of these people have visited APU. I hope that we can use our relationship with these people to make APU an institution that synthesizes new ideas and new knowledge.
This October, we will host an international conference at APU, jointly sponsored by the United Nations University (UNU) and Ritsumeikan. This conference will bring top flight international experts here to discuss how we should chart a new international order after the recent Iraq crisis. That this will occur on our campus will be an invaluable experience for APU students.
With people from so many countries gathered here, it's no exaggeration to say that APU is like a miniature UN: a microcosm of the world. I hope that you will take advantage of this learning environment to become proficient in a language in which to communicate your thoughts to your peers. I also hope that you will work to deepen mutual understanding through discussing and comparing ideas with your friends from around the globe. If you do this, I truly believe that we will create a unique paradigm for education that cannot be realized anywhere else in the world. So, make use of the assets you have here, work hard to achieve your goals, and most importantly, never lose your thirst for knowledge. |
|
