Nowadays, many universities are actively engaging in global education through various approaches and with various objectives. What does Sophia University consider to be skills that are essential for future global talent to develop? Tetsuo Morishita, Vice President for Global Academic Affairs, will help answer that question.
The Importance of Individuals Who Can Generate Value Through Dialogue
Recent major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have occurred one after another, leading to disruptions in the supply chain and energy crises, among other challenges. These events have highlighted and awakened people to the reality that the world’s countries and people cannot exist in isolation, and that our interdependence makes us reliant on each other.
However, these crises have also accelerated the division and formation of blocs worldwide. Individuals with a constructive mindset and the ability to generate new value through dialogue will be in greater demand than ever. In light of this, I believe that it is essential for Sophia University students to cultivate the following five qualities and abilities.
First and foremost, is the ability to have both a “global outlook and a local viewpoint.” In a world that appears to be fragmenting, it is necessary to have a broad, holistic understanding and view. However, that alone is not enough; each region and community has unique characteristics and circumstances and the ability to perceive and comprehend those from a local perspective is equally indispensable.
The ability to “embrace differences and create value in them” is also essential. The international community is currently facing various conflicts and challenges – rather than blindly accepting information from the media and developing fixed notions or prejudices about specific countries or races, I strongly encourage students to see things with their own eyes, engage in dialogue, and approach problem-solving with the premise that “differences are a natural part of life.” Finding joy in different perspectives, cultures, customs, and situations, and from there, generating new ideas and values will only become increasingly important from now.
To be recognized as a true global citizen, one should possess “ample cultural education.” When engaging in discussions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, a foundation of knowledge and culture is essential for effective dialogue. Moreover, in today’s rapidly changing society, a liberal arts education serves as a yardstick for assessing and evaluating newly emerging phenomena.
However, when speaking of developing a “global” mindset, it’s easy to focus on what lies outside our national borders, but we must not forget to cultivate “a deep understanding of one’s own country.” Individuals who cannot articulate their country’s politics, economy, and culture may face a lack of respect in the international community. Therefore, it is crucial to first deepen one’s understanding and ability to confidently converse on their own country’s politics, economy, and culture.
It goes without saying that “language skills” are of utmost importance. If one struggles with English, which is the international lingua franca, opportunities for success abroad will be limited regardless of other skills and abilities. While many Sophia University students boast strong English proficiency, it is essential for them to further develop practical and advanced English skills. Additionally, it would benefit students to acquire proficiency in one or two languages other than English and understand the cultures underlying those languages.
Cultivating the 5 Qualities and Abilities through Liberal Education and Learning, Language Subjects, and Study Abroad Programs
To enhance the development of the 5 aforementioned qualities and abilities in our students, Sophia University has been recently striving to expand its education.
Starting from the academic year 2022, we have undertaken curriculum reforms and introduced Liberal Education and Learning to equip students with the “foundation for lifelong learning.” Through this, we aim to facilitate a deep understanding of human nature, the ability to interpret events from multiple perspectives, and the capacity to pose questions and think critically, contributing to a deeper acquisition of a liberal arts education and cultivating the ability to “embrace differences and create value.”
Regarding language education, we offer English classes tailored to different proficiency levels and provide courses in 22 different languages. Our university also has a diverse community, including international students and foreign faculty members, providing abundant opportunities for communication in foreign languages if desired. We encourage and expect Sophia students to take advantage of this environment to enhance their language skills.
To recognize the differences among individuals with diverse backgrounds and deepen understanding of one’s own country, overseas experience is highly effective and important. However, for students who aspire towards further growth, some may find that simply participating in study abroad programs or attending classes at foreign universities is not enough. Therefore, we are currently in the process of developing new and advanced overseas programs, taking the next step to meet the needs of these students and offer new experiences.
For example, starting from New York, in the United States, and then traveling through various countries in Asia, students can engage in discussions with local students and researchers about the international community’s challenges. Or, students from the Asia-Pacific region can come together to analyze and approach solutions to global issues from different perspectives. Realizing such ambitious study abroad programs is a challenge, but Sophia is forging relationships with universities around the world to provide this reality for students.
Education that Supports the Growth of High School Students Aspiring to Thrive in a Global Society
To become individuals who can embrace each other’s differences, it is essential to develop a strong “core” within oneself from an early stage. To shape this “core,” our University provides opportunities for high school students to present their achievements and inspire further growth through engaging in various challenges related to their aspirations and ideals.
The “World Exploration Club (Sekai Tankyu Bu),” which started in 2020, is an online program where high school students engage in exploratory activities on topics related to global issues and fields in Southeast Asia that excite them. Participants work on compiling research papers under the guidance of our university faculty. Additionally, the English Oratory Competition for high school students, known as the “John Nissell Cup,” serves as a great opportunity to improve English proficiency.
In addition to these programs, Sophia University will continue to provide opportunities for further growth in response to the enthusiasm of highly motivated high school students. However, fostering global talent is not the sole role of universities, and in a world characterized by division, Japanese universities have many contributions to make. Not only do we look forward to the success of our students and graduates, but Sophia University would like to establish its ideals and encourage dialogue and cooperation with the international community.
Siku hizi, vyuo vikuu vingi vinajihusisha kikamilifu na elimu ya kimataifa kupitia mbinu mbalimbali na kwa malengo mbalimbali. Chuo Kikuu cha Sophia kinaona ni ujuzi gani ambao ni muhimu kwa vipaji vya baadaye vya kimataifa kuendeleza? Tetsuo Morishita, Makamu wa Rais wa Masuala ya Chuo Kikuu cha Ulimwenguni, atasaidia kujibu swali hilo. """Kuhitaji kwa watu ambao wanaweza kuzalisha thamani kupitia mazungumzo: Matukio makubwa ya hivi karibuni kama vile janga la COVID-19 na uvamizi wa Urusi wa Ukraine yametokea moja baada ya nyingine, na kusababisha usumbufu katika mlolongo wa usambazaji na mgogoro wa nishati, kati ya changamoto zingine." Matukio haya yameangazia na kuamsha watu kwa ukweli kwamba nchi na watu wa ulimwengu hawawezi kuwepo kwa kujitenga, na kwamba utegemezi wetu hufanya tutegemeane. Hata hivyo, misiba hiyo pia imeongeza mwendo wa mgawanyiko na kuundwa kwa vikundi ulimwenguni pote. Watu wenye mawazo ya kujenga na uwezo wa kuzalisha thamani mpya kupitia mazungumzo watakuwa na mahitaji makubwa kuliko hapo awali. Kwa sababu hiyo, ninaamini ni muhimu kwa wanafunzi wa Chuo Kikuu cha Sophia kukuza sifa na uwezo wafuatayo. Kwanza kabisa, ni uwezo wa kuwa na wote "utazamaji wa kimataifa na mtazamo wa ndani". Katika ulimwengu ambao unaonekana kuwa kugawanyika, ni muhimu kuwa na ufahamu mpana, wa jumla na mtazamo. Hata hivyo, hiyo peke yake haitoshi; kila mkoa na jamii ina sifa na hali ya kipekee na uwezo wa kuona na kuelewa hizo kutoka kwa mtazamo wa ndani ni muhimu sawa. Uwezo wa "kukubali tofauti na kuunda thamani ndani yao" pia ni muhimu. "Kama ilivyo kwa jamii ya kimataifa, sasa tunakabiliwa na migogoro na changamoto mbalimbali, badala ya kukubali habari kutoka kwa vyombo vya habari na kuendeleza dhana au ubaguzi kuhusu nchi au jamii fulani, ninawahimiza wanafunzi kuona mambo kwa macho yao wenyewe, kushiriki katika mazungumzo, na kukabiliana na matatizo kwa msingi wa ""tofauti ni sehemu ya asili ya maisha"" na kupata furaha katika mtazamo tofauti, tamaduni, desturi na hali, na kutoka hapo, kuzalisha mawazo mapya na maadili itakuwa muhimu zaidi." Ili kutambuliwa kama raia wa kweli wa ulimwengu, mtu anapaswa kuwa na "elimu ya utamaduni pana". Wakati wa kushiriki katika majadiliano na watu kutoka asili tofauti, msingi wa maarifa na utamaduni ni muhimu kwa mazungumzo yenye ufanisi. Zaidi ya hayo, katika jamii ya leo kubadilika kwa kasi, elimu ya sanaa huria hutumika kama kipimo kwa ajili ya kutathmini na kutathmini matukio mapya yanayotokea. Hata hivyo, tunapozungumza juu ya kuendeleza mawazo ya kimataifa, ni rahisi kuzingatia kile kilicho nje ya mipaka yetu ya kitaifa, lakini hatupaswi kusahau kukuza uelewa wa kina wa nchi yetu wenyewe.Watu ambao hawawezi kuelezea siasa, uchumi, na utamaduni wa nchi yao wanaweza kukabiliwa na ukosefu wa heshima katika jamii ya kimataifa. Kwa hiyo, ni muhimu kwanza kuimarisha uelewa wa mtu na uwezo wa kujiamini kuzungumza juu ya siasa, uchumi, na utamaduni wa nchi yao wenyewe. Ni wazi kwamba "ujuzi wa lugha" ni muhimu sana. Ikiwa mtu anajitahidi na Kiingereza, ambayo ni lugha ya kimataifa, fursa za mafanikio nje ya nchi zitakuwa mdogo bila kujali ujuzi na uwezo mwingine. Wakati wanafunzi wengi wa Chuo Kikuu cha Sophia wanajivunia ustadi mkubwa wa Kiingereza, ni muhimu kwao kuendeleza zaidi ujuzi wa Kiingereza wa vitendo na wa hali ya juu. Kwa kuongezea, itafaidi wanafunzi kupata ustadi katika lugha moja au mbili mbali na Kiingereza na kuelewa tamaduni za msingi za lugha hizo. Kuendeleza sifa tano na uwezo kupitia elimu ya uhuru na kujifunza, masomo ya lugha, na masomo ya nje ya nchi Programu ya kuboresha maendeleo ya sifa tano zilizotajwa hapo juu na uwezo katika wanafunzi wetu, Chuo Kikuu cha Sophia hivi karibuni imekuwa kujitahidi kupanua elimu yake. Kuanzia mwaka wa masomo wa 2022, tumefanya marekebisho ya mtaala na kuanzisha Elimu ya Liberal na Kujifunza ili kuwapa wanafunzi "msingi wa kujifunza maisha yote," kupitia hii, tunakusudia kuwezesha uelewa wa kina wa asili ya kibinadamu, uwezo wa kutafsiri matukio kutoka kwa mtazamo mbalimbali, na uwezo wa kuuliza maswali na kufikiri kwa ukali, na kuchangia upatikanaji wa elimu ya sanaa ya huria na kukuza uwezo wa kukumbatia tofauti na kujenga thamani. Chuo Kikuu chetu pia kina jamii tofauti, ikiwa ni pamoja na wanafunzi wa kimataifa na wanachama wa kitivo wa kigeni, kutoa fursa nyingi za mawasiliano katika lugha za kigeni ikiwa inahitajika. Tunahimiza na kutarajia wanafunzi wa Sophia kutumia mazingira haya ili kuboresha ujuzi wao wa lugha. Kutambua tofauti kati ya watu wenye asili tofauti na kuimarisha uelewa wa nchi ya mtu mwenyewe, uzoefu wa nje ya nchi ni ufanisi sana na muhimu. Hata hivyo, kwa wanafunzi ambao wanatamani kukua zaidi, wengine wanaweza kupata kwamba kushiriki tu katika mipango ya masomo nje ya nchi au kuhudhuria madarasa katika vyuo vikuu vya kigeni haitoshi. Kwa hivyo, kwa sasa tuko katika mchakato wa kuendeleza programu mpya na za hali ya juu za nje ya nchi, kuchukua hatua inayofuata ili kukidhi mahitaji ya wanafunzi hawa na kutoa uzoefu mpya. Kwa mfano, kuanzia New York, Marekani, na kisha kusafiri kupitia nchi mbalimbali katika Asia, wanafunzi wanaweza kushiriki katika majadiliano na wanafunzi wa ndani na watafiti kuhusu changamoto za jamii ya kimataifa. Au, wanafunzi kutoka eneo la Asia-Pacific wanaweza kuja pamoja kuchambua na mbinu ufumbuzi wa masuala ya kimataifa kutoka mitazamo tofauti. "Kufanya mipango kama hiyo ya masomo nje ya nchi ni changamoto, lakini Sophia anaanzisha mahusiano na vyuo vikuu duniani kote kutoa hali hii kwa wanafunzi.""" Elimu inayosaidia ukuaji wa wanafunzi wa shule ya sekondari wanaotamani kustawi katika jamii ya kimataifa Ili kuwa watu ambao wanaweza kukumbatia tofauti za kila mmoja, ni muhimu kuendeleza "msingi" wenye nguvu ndani ya mtu mwenyewe kutoka hatua ya mapema. Ili kuunda hii "msingi", Chuo Kikuu chetu hutoa fursa kwa wanafunzi wa shule ya sekondari kuwasilisha mafanikio yao na kuhamasisha ukuaji zaidi kwa kushiriki katika changamoto mbalimbali zinazohusiana na matarajio yao na matarajio. Klabu ya Utafiti wa Dunia (Tankyu) ni mpango wa mtandaoni ambao wanafunzi wa shule ya sekondari hujiingiza katika shughuli za utafutaji juu ya mada zinazohusiana na masuala ya kimataifa na mashamba katika Asia ya Kusini Mashariki ambayo yanawavutia. Washiriki kazi juu ya kukusanya karatasi za utafiti chini ya mwongozo wa kitivo cha chuo kikuu chetu. Kwa kuongezea, Mashindano ya Oratory ya Kiingereza kwa wanafunzi wa shule ya sekondari, inayojulikana kama <unk>John Nissell Cup,<unk> hutumika kama fursa kubwa ya kuboresha ustadi wa Kiingereza. Pamoja na programu hizi, Chuo Kikuu cha Sophia kitaendelea kutoa fursa za ukuaji zaidi kwa kujibu shauku ya wanafunzi wa shule ya sekondari wenye msukumo mkubwa. Hata hivyo, kukuza vipaji vya kimataifa si jukumu pekee la vyuo vikuu, na katika ulimwengu unaojulikana na mgawanyiko, vyuo vikuu vya Kijapani vina mchango mwingi wa kufanya. "Hatuwataraji tu mafanikio ya wanafunzi wetu na wahitimu, lakini Chuo Kikuu cha Sophia kinataka kuanzisha maadili yake na kuhamasisha mazungumzo na ushirikiano na jamii ya kimataifa. """