Greeting from the Chairman
It is my great pleasure that we have finally been able to set up a support office to promote international projects in our medical branch.
In the past, applications from teachers for overseas projects were accepted and processed in the administration office on an individual basis. However, with the world becoming ever more borderless, an increasing number of students are now studying abroad, and international exchanges are more active and diversified than in the past. Therefore, we need to carry out international projects in a more smooth and efficient manner. In addition, the fact that the University of Tsukuba has been appointed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for the Project for Establishing Core Universities for Internationalization (Global 30) since 2009 proves that the University of Tsukuba is acknowledged by the national government as a capable and thus appropriate school for this global-scale mission.
In addition to our conventional programs, the G30 project attach great importance to first, expanding and upgrading education programs conducted in English, and improving the command of English of Japanese students as well as enlightening foreign students about the Japanese language and culture. Also, we have been making a great effort in building a solid international network. Especially in North Africa, Central Asia, Viet Nam, China, Bonn and Beijing, we already have partner universities for overseas activities.
Under these circumstances, our hospital and the medical branch as a whole have been inspired to promote globalization programs. Four of such programs conducted in English are now underway here. Also joint projects with overseas universities under an education research accord are rapidly progressing. Furthermore, high quality language classes are now being taught by seven foreign teachers, and students and young teachers are dispatched abroad on a daily basis. Therefore, I would feel highly honored if all this should be acknowledged as proof that our international office is functioning and playing a role in facilitating the project.
World affairs surrounding Japan are about to go through major changes that we have never known. Therefore it is vital that the international office should cooperate more closely with the medical administration office, and offer greater support to students, teachers and hospital personnel so that they can meet the need of the ever-changing world.
We are now living in a time when borderless coalition is inevitable. So we would much appreciate constructive opinions and requests from around the globe.
We, the staff of the international office, are looking forward to seeing you.
Sincerely yours,
Osamu Ohneda
Chairman
International Cooperation Committee of the Faculty of Medical
