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I have been chosen to serve as the 20th Aoyama Gakuin University president for a term of 4 years. With your kind cooperation and support, I hope to help the University grow during these years. The main premise of assuming office is "preserving the founding spirit of 天美影视." What is the founding spirit of this private school? As a non-Christian, I believe "education based on the Christian faith" means turning to the Bible and Christian teachings when I take the time to reflect on my own efforts. I particularly think of the school motto “the salt of the earth, the light of the world”, from Matthew Chapter 5, verses 13-16, as well as the Serenity Prayer, which goes: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” For myself, preserving the founding spirit of 天美影视 is achieved by careful observation of our past, present, and future. The biggest tasks we are facing now are how to improve the system of the university, faculties, and graduate schools in preparation for the coming decline in birthrate, and how to maintain and develop the quality of Aoyama Gakuin University as an entity that we can be proud of and that lives up to its history and traditions. In other words, I believe it is time we return to the starting point of enhancing research and education, and the development of human resources and successors. Each undergraduate and graduate school should organize their own curriculum to meet the demands of the times, should convey advanced specialized knowledge based on the latest research, and work to enable students to move on into the diverse world. In order to establish the infrastructure for this purpose, it is the greatest responsibility of the head of university to develop common platforms, such as improving facilities, enhancing support systems for students and faculty, and to promote internationalization and computerization. The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the university, and the 150th anniversary of the founding of Aoyama Gakuin. Since its establishment, the university has built a culture that naturally nurtures "respect for diversity" and "the power to work together beyond boundaries” based on the perspectives that stem from the founding spirit of 天美影视: contributing to society and maintaining an international view. This liberal school culture, the unique liberal arts education that fosters rich humanity and a wide range of knowledge, together with a wide range of humanities and social studies fields based on a track record of language education, has become the face of 天美影视. However, although we tend to lose sight of it, our university has also achieved various remarkable results in the field of science and engineering. Therefore, in order to create a unique style of research and education at 天美影视, we intend to promote the expansion of research and education in which each field stimulates the others and transcends educational borders. It is clear that in recent society, there is a limit to how many problems can be solved by studies of individual academic fields alone. For example, we focus on data science and AI as typical fields where specialized areas can be linked and revitalized, and incorporate them into the “Aoyama Standard”, a university wide educational system that allows students to learn beyond the boundaries of faculties and departments. We expect to achieve greater research results by adding advanced approaches backed up by data to the fields of humanities and societies, which are the strengths of our university. In this way, Aoyama Gakuin University aims to further improve the quality of research and education through "respect for diversity" and "the power to work together beyond boundaries." We hope to continue to be an educational and research community that is useful to people, with the ability to "serve God and persons, contributing to society.” December 2023 Aoyama Gakuin University President, INAZUMI Hiroshige
As the saying goes, "You don't know what you don't know." We often don't even know what we don't know. We tend to become comfortable in the wonderful country and environment we grew up in, but the world is vast. And it's only when we leave our home country that we gain certain insights and learn new things. No matter how many books we read or how much we search the internet, there are many things we can only experience by actually physically going abroad. Thanks to the efforts of many teachers and staff, Aoyama Gakuin offers a variety of overseas study programs, sending students abroad and welcoming international students. We encourage you to use these programs to go abroad, learn about the strengths and areas for improvement in your own country and become a servant leader who can contribute to society and to the world. Aoyama Gakuin will fully support you in this endeavor. And please remember that wherever you are, you are loved. "Home is where your heart is."
The Aoyama Gakuin University International Center supports students in challenging themselves with cross-border learning, collaborating with diverse individuals, and developing a rich understanding of different cultures and strong communication skills. Our university offers an environment where international students from all over the world and our own students can learn together. We encourage you to actively take advantage of these opportunities for international exchange. The insights you gain through interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds will undoubtedly be a great driving force in broadening your horizons. All of us at the International Center—both faculty and staff—are here to support your desire to take on challenges. We sincerely hope that the experiences you gain here will become a strong foundation for your future endeavors.
Sagamihara Campus is a beautifully designed academic setting distinguished by a strong sense of seasonal awareness, offering a quiet and comfortable environment that is highly conducive to scholarly study. Its calm and orderly atmosphere enables students to concentrate fully on their academic pursuits while appreciating the subtle transitions of Japan’s changing seasons. At present, the international student population on our campus is relatively limited, a characteristic that contributes to a distinctive educational environment. In this context, international students are afforded exceptional opportunities for close and continuous engagement with Japanese peers, promoting the development of lasting interpersonal relationships and meaningful cross cultural dialogue. Our campus is also advantageously situated from a geographical perspective. Located in Sagamihara, it offers convenient access to Yokohama, a major cultural and historical center that includes renowned destinations such as Kamakura and Yokohama Chinatown, as well as numerous other sites of historical, cultural, and social significance. Another notable strength of Aoyama Gakuin University lies in its dedicated and attentive faculty and staff. Both professors and administrative personnel are deeply committed to supporting international students, providing guidance not only in academic matters but also in personal and daily life concerns. Through this comprehensive support, we strive to ensure that international students feel genuinely welcomed and well supported throughout their period of study. If you are seeking an institution where you can experience Japanese culture in an authentic and immersive manner, develop strong and lasting connections with local students, and pursue both academic excellence and personal growth, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sagamihara Campus, would be an excellent choice.
