Dean of the Faculty of International Studies
President of the Yokohama International Studies Association
Shinichi Shigetomi
The Faculty of International Studies at Meiji Gakuin University, founded in 1986 as Japan's first "Faculty of International Studies," will soon celebrate its 40th anniversary. The Yokohama International Studies Association (YISA) was established during the 30th anniversary, and it will soon mark its 10th anniversary. During this time, YISA has continued to flourish as an organization connecting alumni with each other, and with current students and faculty, facilitating mutual learning. I am honored to serve as the president of YISA and contribute to its further development.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all YISA members for their unwavering support and cooperation in the association's activities. Through the continuous organization of events for current students, such as career support activities, YISA has provided opportunities to learn from the rich experiences and broad perspectives of our alumni. The subsidy program for seminar training camps has greatly supported the extracurricular learning of current students. Additionally, YISA’s circle activities, including book clubs and field trips, offer valuable opportunities for current students to interact with their seniors who have already entered the workforce.
If I were to encapsulate education at the Faculty of International Studies in one word, it would be "diversity." The hallmark of learning at Meiji Gakuin University's Faculty of International Studies is examining various issues in international society from multiple analytical perspectives (disciplines) and through diverse values and cultural backgrounds. It is the common hope of the faculty that through this kind of learning, students will develop the ability to view matters from multiple angles, understand perspectives different from their own, and adapt to new challenges as they step into society. The input from YISA members who have already made their way into the world is invaluable for further enhancing this education.
I sincerely hope that our mutual learning continues through YISA's activities in the future.