 |
| As eight years have passed since its establishment, APU is currently implementing a 'New Challenge Plan' to further develop the university. This fall, APU president, Monte CASSIM, held talks with various executives of leading international corporations, including members of the APU Advisory Committee. Discussion revolved around APU's particular style of education and its results, and also the kind of skilled professionals sought after in today's business world. We are delighted to introduce below, a report on one of these talks between President CASSIM and Mr. OHASHI Yoji, Chairman of the Board at All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. |
"Through encounters with foreign culture,
we are deepening our understanding of our own culture." (CASSIM)
| CASSIM |
: |
Chairman, last year we invited you to our Top Executive Lecture and asked you to give a lecture to our students based on your many years of international business experience. |
| OHASHI |
: |
In contemporary society, globalization exists in the background of all aspects of life. Also in the business world, we are working in the midst of globalization, therefore what becomes important is developing internationalism based on the understanding of your own country. Listen well to other people; engage in conversation, so that when differences unfold, you can be flexible in your understanding of the other person's position. Such ability is important and I sense that APU students perform especially well in this kind of situation. |
| CASSIM |
: |
The cross-cultural communication that you speak of exists on a daily basis here at APU as almost half of our student body are foreign students and hail from 82 countries and regions around the world. Not only do all our students have the chance to travel abroad, to study and train overseas, but there are also many opportunities for them to go to the native countries of their fellow students. Through these experiences they come up against a variety of foreign cultures and values, and at this point they are able to begin to understand the culture of their own country. |
| OHASHI |
: |
I believe the ideal type of education came from the "Peripatetics" of Greece: Aristotle and his pupils talking about philosophy while taking a walk. That kind of education took some time, and you can't do that in business, but here it is the student life, so it can certainly be done at an environment surrounded by nature such as APU. |
| CASSIM |
: |
I think so too. Even if everyone is preoccupied by the same thing, the difference is that APU students can mull over the situation at their leisure in this beautiful landscape. |
"Companies are seeking youthful sensitivity
backed up by international experience." (OHASHI)
| OHASHI |
: |
The experiences to be had at the time when youthful sensibility is well-honed is the treasure of a lifetime. Companies demand that kind of originality, humanity, and more importantly youthfulness. |
| CASSIM |
: |
The APU graduate employment rate exceeds 97%, and the places of employment are at an array of well-known international corporations. I think the reason for this sort of accomplishment is the spreading and development of a deeper understanding of APU through cooperation in education and active exchange with members of the business world like yourself, Mr. Ohashi. |
| OHASHI |
: |
Recently in my company, we decided to recreate a system to offer support to ANA personnel in developing their careers, and we are doing this with the launch of the "ANA JINZAI University", an in-house training program. I think we can learn a lot from the precedent that APU has set and I place high hopes on this, Japan's first ever international university. |
The complete article, filled with valuable insight and great wisdom, plus reports on the talks between the president and other executives, can be found on the APU website.
URL: http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/taidan
*Japanese Only
|
|
 |
Talks with the President of APU
Mr.OHASHI Yoji Chairman of the Board, All Nippon Airways Co.,Ltd. |
|
 |
 |
 |
