http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/ Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Sun, 26 May 2013 05:51:03 +0900 http://backend.userland.com/rss/ XOOPS News apukoho@apu.ac.jp apukoho@apu.ac.jp en http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2480 ]]> On Saturday, May 18, 2013, Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo visited APU and spoke with students at AP House*. On May 17 Prime Minister ABE delivered his second speech on the government’s growth policy during which he mentioned the need for university globalization and reform in order for universities to compete globally. Held on the following day, he visited APU as a successful example of global education that has attracted students and faculty from around the world. During his visit to AP House, Prime Minister ABE received an introduction from Resident Assistant (RA**) team leaders and heard about the life of House residents and the role of the RA team. He then met with a group of six House residents for approximately 30 minutes and inquired about their reasons for choosing to study in Japan and their dreams for the future. Prime Minister ABE made the following comment: “We are moving ahead with university globalization and aim to make Japan an easier place to live and study for foreign students. By providing an environment where students from all around the globe and interact and learn more about the world, I believe that APU is a successful example of global human resource development”. In response to his question about the reasons for studying in Japan by an international student in fluent Japanese, the Prime Minister responded by saying that “I am surprised at your level of Japanese proficiency. Armed with your mother tongue, English and Japanese – languages of the Asia Pacific region – you’re truly global human resources. Language is used differently in different cultures, but by learning this through experience, as you have, will no doubt serve you well in the future out there in the business world”. The Prime Minister then inquired about difficulties international students face when studying in Japan including the Japanese language and culture, and the need for scholarships. Prime Minister ABE then made the following comment before the meeting came to a close: “In the future we hope to increase the number of universities where students can study exclusively in English. However we also want to develop greater student support systems and promote more opportunities for students to study Japanese. Our aim is to see more universities like APU developed in Japan”. Since its establishment in 2000, APU has been accepting students from all over the world and engaged in the development of globally-minded graduates with the skills to succeed on the international stage. APU aims to continue producing graduates for the future of the Asia Pacific region. *AP House Located next to the campus, AP House provides accommodation for 1,081 students from approximately 57 countries and regions. International students spend their first year at AP House in order to adjust to the customs and rules of life in Japan (as of May 1, 2013). **Resident Assistants (RA) The RA team promotes exchange opportunities and offers 24 hour support to House residents. There are currently 64 RAs at AP House (as of May 1, 2013). Images of the visit can be viewed on the APU Student Website (FAFA). Tue, 21 May 2013 14:39:49 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2480 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2479 ]]> On Thursday, May 9, 2013, the Australian Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Bruce MILLER, visited APU and delivered a special lecture under the title of “Australia-Japan Collaboration in the Asian Century”. During his speech, the Ambassador spoke about economic and social connections between the two countries, research collaboration, and more. Ambassador MILLER began by highlighting the close social and economic links between Australia and Kyushu including the sister-city arrangements between cities in both countries, and Australian mineral exports to Oita copper smelters, steel mills and power stations. Australian exports account for 25% of Kyushu’s LNG supply and Australian coal is a major supplier for Kyushu power stations. As the Ambassador pointed out, “It’s no exaggeration to say that when you switch on a light in Kyushu, you should think of Australia”. A fluent speaker of Japanese, the Ambassador has enjoyed ties with Japan since studying as an exchange student in 1978. This experience, he said, was “immensely rewarding and set the foundations for my lifelong engagement with Japan”. He also praised APU as a pioneer in Japanese university internationalization and encouraged students to make the most of the opportunity to “form international friendships and relationships that are not only personally enriching, but by extension also enrich our societies, cultures and economies”. During the Q&A session, the Ambassador welcomed questions from the audience on a range of subjects including regional security, climate change, his role as ambassador, and the ongoing issue of Japanese whaling in the South Pacific. “Whaling is one of the very few areas where our two countries disagree, but we do not let it affect our very good bilateral relationship and we hope that it will be resolved through dialogue and international law”. APU currently has four Australian students and nine Australian faculty members*. Australia is also a destination for many APU exchange and study abroad students. We look forward to even stronger ties with Australia in the future. *as of Nov 1, 2012 Wed, 15 May 2013 14:08:40 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2479 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2478 ]]> On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, the CEO & President of KAI Corporation, Mr. ENDO Koji, delivered a Social Outreach Seminar at APU under the title of “Global Marketing at KAI Corporation as a mid-sized businesses”. During the lecture, President ENDO described his company’s sales approach and how the company’s overseas sales have doubled over the last decade through the successful sales of kitchen knives and razor blades. President ENDO then spoke in detail about future marketing in global business. “Business is not about winning and loosing. It’s about how we can expand our customer base and how well we can develop our possibilities and abilities to best respond to the needs of our clients. I believe that the key to creating a globally accepted business is to stand in our customers’ shoes when we develop new products and services”. Following the lecture, President ENDO then responded to each of the many questions raised by the student audience. Since 2010, APU has been arranging Social Outreach Seminars and inviting business representatives and entrepreneurs to speak to our students as an opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge graduates need out in the workplace. Tue, 14 May 2013 11:16:58 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2478 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2477 ]]> On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, a ceremony was held to mark the start of the Iwata Academy - APU/Ritsumeikan Course, a joint secondary/tertiary education initiative between the Iwata Academy and APU. The ceremony was attended by 14 first-year Iwata Academy students, their parents, and representatives from Iwata Academy and APU. Also attending were the APU student Teaching Assistants (TA) that will be involved in this course. During the opening ceremony, APU Vice-President, HIRATA Junichi offered a few words of encouragement before presenting each participating Iwata Academy student with an APU library card, “Over the coming year you will have the opportunity to experience studying at both the secondary and tertiary level. You will be able to compare the different study methods you experience and understand the characteristics of each. One of the main purposes of this secondary/tertiary education course is to help you discover how best to study and to start thinking about your future. Please do your best”. Iwata student, MIYAZAKI Reina spoke on behalf of the new course students, “The Iwata Academy - APU/Ritsumeikan Course offers us the opportunity to interact with domestic and international university students, which is something we cannot easily do at high school. I have been looking forward to this course and I aim to work with my fellow students to learn as much as I can and expand my horizons. I also aim to be studying here in this international environment in three years time”. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and the Iwata Academy (Oita City) signed a university-high school liaison agreement in May 2007, as a way of promoting the development of globally-minded graduates in Oita Prefecture. This agreement led to the establishment of the Iwata Academy - APU/Ritsumeikan Course in April, 2008. Including this year’s intake, the program has so far welcomed 99 Iwata Academy students. Students on this program study under a course curriculum developed by the Ritsumeikan Trust and the Iwata Academy. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:01:34 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2477 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2476 ]]> From April 1, 2013, APU hosted a total of nine public officials from African government bodies including industry and trade ministries for the JICA backed “Community Capacity and Rural Development – Focusing on One Village One Product – for African Countries”. This program ran for approximately two weeks and concluded on April 12. Held under the theme of Capacity Development, this training program aimed to equip trainees with the skills needed to develop a basic outline and course of action for the creation of achievable regional development policy frameworks in their home countries, development strategies, project plans, and more. This training program welcomed civil servants from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. In addition to lectures covering theory, evaluation, and case studies of community development, trainees participated in lectures and on-site visits in Oyama-Machi and other locations around Oita Prefecture. They also learned about Beppu Hatto Onpaku, after which they experienced the program first hand. In Oyama-Machi, the trainees were able to stay overnight in family lodges and interact with the locals. During the program closing ceremony, the Deputy Director of Industrial Support Services at the Kenyan Ministry of Industrialization, Ms. DEDE Pamela Adhiambo, spoke on behalf of the trainees: “This training program taught me just how important it is to focus on local resources. My approach towards regional development has switched 180degrees”. Under the auspices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), APU has been accepting trainees from all over the world since 2006. Until AY2012, a total of 41 training programs have been held inviting 536 trainees from 53 different countries. In AY2013 APU plans to welcome trainees from Eastern Europe, Central and Southern America, Africa and the Asia Pacific region. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:12:06 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2476 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2475 ]]>  APU has recently launched “LIVE@APU”, a new service that let’s you check the APU campus with real-time camera footage. Check the weather on campus or if you are a graduate, keep an eye on your old school. This service was launched by the APU Alumni Association. No matter where you are in the world you can now enjoy the changing of the seasons at APU whenever you like via the internet.  The APU Alumni Association LIVE@APU:http://www.alumni.apu.ac.jp/main/liveapu/ NB: Please be aware that visibility depends greatly on the weather.  Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:05:19 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2475 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2474 ]]> On Saturday, March 16, 2013, a symposium was held at APU under the title of “Global Human Resources from Japan around the World – APU’s 13 year journey and messages from our Graduates”. During the symposium, participants discussed the kind of qualities and skills graduates need to become “global human resources” and how these qualities should be developed at university. The symposium was attended by approximately 200 spring new entrants, graduates, current APU students, and off-campus guests. Representative of Talent Growth Support, TAGOMORI Kizo, delivered a keynote speech during which he described environmental changes besieging Japanese businesses, the kind of human resources currently sought by businesses, and the importance of career design. Facilitated by the Dean of the College of International Management, Professor YOKOYAMA Kenji, a panel discussion was then held featuring TAGOMORI Kizo, the Dean of Careers YAMAMOTO Susumu, APU Graduate LEE Eng Ngor (APM grad, spring’03, Malaysia), FUKUDA Kenta (APM grad, spring’08, Japan), ASAKURA Minako (APM grad, spring’09, Japan), and current APU student HONDA Shunsuke (AS3, Japan). During the panel discussion, graduates spoke about their careers after APU and offered a message of encouragement to current APU students: “Have a clear picture of the strengths you will need in order to realize your dreams and lead an active university life accordingly”, “Make use of the APU environment, make lots of friends and experience as much as you can with them”. Participants then took part in a 90-minute interaction session during which new students were able to share their dreams and uncertainties about university life and get feedback and advice from graduates based on their experiences as APU students. Some of the new students shared their impressions of the event: “I was able to get a better idea about studying abroad and what is really important for me. This event has raised my interest in a range of new areas”. “Taking a greater interest in new things has taught me the importance of challenging myself. This event also motivated me to consider how I should lead an interesting and meaningful student life”. This project is backed by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and was held as part of the “MEXT AY2012 Project for the Promotion of Global Human Resource Development”*. APU remains committed to the education and development of graduates with the skills needed to play an active role on the global stage. *About the “Project for the Promotion of Global Human Resource Development”   Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:07:33 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2474 SELECTEDNEWS http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2473 ]]> On Monday, April 15, 2013, the Ambassador of Nepal to Japan, H.E. Madan Kumar Bhattrai visited APU and met with APU President KORENAGA Shun, Vice-President HIRATA Junichi, and Pro-Vice President PORTER Edgar.  During their discussion, President KORENAGA welcomed the Ambassador, described some of the features of APU including the flexible entrance system, and inquired about Nepal’s relations with its large neighbors, China and India. In response, Ambassador Bhattrai commented that, “Although Nepal is neighbored by two very big countries, India and China, we have enjoyed a constructive relationship with Japan over the last 40 years. The number of Nepalese in Japan is increasing and we now represent one of the largest Southern Asian populations in Japan, including approximately 3000 students”.  Pro-Vice President PORTER then described the achievements of some of APU’s outstanding Nepalese graduates and Vice-President HIRATA inquired about the career paths of Nepalese students in Japan after they graduate. The group then talked about the relationship between Japan and Nepal including the achievements of Japanese mountaineer MIURA Yuichiro whom once held the record as the oldest person to successfully climb Mt. Everest, located on the Nepal-China border. Following the discussions, the Ambassador then met with a group of Nepalese students. There are currently 29 students from Nepal studying at APU that play an active role in curricular and extracurricular campus life including the inaugural Nepali Week held in 2012. We look forward to an even stronger partnership with Nepal in the future.    Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:40:56 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2473 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2472 ]]>  On Tuesday, April 9, 2013, a ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the APU Global Competency Enhancement Program (GCEP) for the first quarter of the spring semester.  This semester APU welcomes two employees from Sumitomo Electric Industries and one from SATO Holdings Corporation, who arrived at APU on April 10. The ceremony was attended by the trainees, an HR representative from Sumitomo Electric Industries, APU executives, and faculty involved in the program. During the ceremony the trainees were shown a short introductory video about APU and introduced to faculty members they will be studying under. APU Vice-President HIRATA Junichi attended the ceremony and offered a few words of encouragement to the trainees. “Two months is a comparatively short time so please consider your time here as an opportunity to start something ongoing such as improving your language skills. At APU you have the opportunity to expose yourself to a range of different English accents, cultures and backgrounds, so please do your best to learn both inside and outside the classroom”. During their two-month stay at APU, the trainees will participate in business-focused programs designed to meet their individual needs. The trainees will be staying at AP House and through interaction with APU students will work towards developing a wider and more international outlook. The Global Competency Enhancement Program (GCEP) was developed to provide industry and business trainees the opportunity to experience our multicultural and multilingual campus environment while studying at the undergraduate or graduate level. More information on the GCEP Program (pdf, available in Japanese only) http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/uploads/fckeditor/userMenu/business/GCEP_J.pdf Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:23:55 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2472 NOSELECTED http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2471 ]]> On Thursday, March 28, 2013, Lord Fakafanua, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Kingdom of Tonga visited APU and met with President KORENAGA, Vice-President MANI, A. and members of the Admissions (International) Office. Lord Fakafanua was accompanied by Dr. Sione Vikilani (Deputy Clerk of the House), an Alumni of APU graduated in September 2010. During their discussion, President KORENAGA introduced some of the many characteristics and unique features of the University including the dual English/Japanese curriculum and the scholarship system, which Lord Fakafanua positively received. Strategies were discussed about how to attract more students from Tonga and how such students can to be raised into future leaders of Tonga but of the Pacific region as well. Following the discussion, Lord Fakafanua was able to interact with the current six undergraduate students from Tonga, three undergraduate students from Fiji, and more students from other countries including Japan. Lord Fakafanua travelled to Japan to attend the 43rd General Assembly and 77th Council Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Union Conference which was held on March 26th, in Tokyo. He is currently regarded as the youngest Speaker of the House in the world being 28 years of age, an achievement that was admired by the Conference members. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:11:09 +0900 http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/news/index.php?page=article&storyid=2471 NOSELECTED