Message from the President
The spirit of Asunaro※ is the basis of our humanistic education system.
Forty-four years have passed since the opening of Nishikyushu University in 1968. The University has grown out of just one Faculty with one department at the time of its foundation, to three Faculties with four departments now: Health and Social Welfare Sciences (Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Department of Social Welfare Sciences), Rehabilitation Sciences (Department of Rehabilitation Sciences) and Children’s Studies (Department of Children’s Studies), and Graduate School of Health and Social Welfare (Master’s Course). During that time, the University has strived to be an education and research facility with a high degree of specialization to develop professionals who support people’s health and well-being, and children’s education. Over the years the University has produced nearly 7,500 graduates who have often played important roles in society in their individual fields, including nutrition management, social welfare services and medical care.
The basic educational objective of the University is to cultivate professionals with both advanced knowledge and a sense of humanity who can serve as leaders in their respective fields. For that purpose, the practical, hands-on courses Asunaro: Experience I～III are held in the spirit of Asunaro , the basis of our humanistic education system. These courses aim to foster abilities in communication and self-discipline, a clear view of possible occupations, and human skills to enhance a spirit of independence and career development possibilities. The “New Project for Human Resources Development” has been progressing through these courses, aiming at being the Real Number One in the Employment Rate (ie., the rate of employment of one’s first choice). We want you to learn as much as possible about your specialized field after establishing a strong foundation for your character, which is proper for your own particular goals.
Nishikyushu University consistently strives to carry out original research activities and to contribute to local communities as well as to education. The 21st century is an age of globalization, in which we are required to have international vision and sensibility. International student exchange programs based on agreements of academic cooperation and international exchange with foreign universities have been put in place since 2012. International exchange activities with universities in Korea and the U.S. are already under way, and the list of universities continues to grow with priority given to Asia. When occasion arises, deepen your understanding of other cultures through the use of these programs and try to take a broader view of things as a young person of the 21st century. Contacts between different cultures will be a good chance for you to gain diversity in thinking, which will give rise to new kinds of cultures.
Kanzaki Campus is blessed with a beautiful natural environment and historic scenes, and it commands a panoramic view of the Chikushi Plain. Furthermore, at Kamizono Campus in Saga City along the clear Tabuse River we feel the changes of seasons even in an urban area. Amid these pleasant surroundings, please engrave warm memories of your youth which you can keep forever.
※Asunaro ―A positive attitude promoting achievement of aspirations―
Asunaro is the Japanese name for Thujopsis dolabrata, a conifer in the cypress family that is endemic to Japan. A popular explanation for the meaning behind the name asunaro is that it comes from Asu wa hinoki ni naro,, meaning “Tomorrow I will become a hinoki cypress”. This is said because the asunaro looks like a smaller version of the common hinoki cypress, Chamaecyparis obtuse. In much the same way, the University founder hopes to educate and encourage motivated young students who are willing to take on challenges and work hard to become strong and successful.
Tsunehiro Mukai
President, Nishikyushu University
Principle & Objectives
Educational Principle (Founder’s Motivation)
To impart advanced knowledge and promote a sense of humanity, thereby cultivating individuals with the technical knowledge and applicable skills to serve society and contribute to the wellbeing of humankind.
This was the principle of Matsuyo Nagahara, founder of the original embodiment of the University. It has remained the guiding motivation of our system of education to the present day.
The basic educational objective of the University’s undergraduate studies is to cultivate individuals with both knowledge and a strong sense of humanity who can serve as leaders in their professional fields. The University’s graduate studies strive to produce professionals and researchers with deeper insight into theories and a greater level of expertise in their respective fields.
The fundamental goals of the University are:
- To develop and enhance the University’s role as a creative center of intellectual activities related to health and social welfare
- To educate and encourage individuals who will serve as productive new members of society through a humanistic approach to education based on the spirit of Asunaro
- To cultivate professionals who contribute to the health and welfare of people
As these goals indicate, the University strives to produce professionals with not only the necessary expertise, but also a strong will and a humanistic approach that allow them to take active leadership roles in sustaining society.
Since its original establishment in 1968 as a university with just one faculty, Nishikyushu University has consistently focused on the most important themes for humankind—health and wellbeing. In order to focus its principles in a more concrete manner, the Graduate School of Health and Social Welfare was established in 1999. In 2001 the Faculty of Home Economics, the school of study established with the original embodiment of the University, was renamed the Faculty of Health and Social Welfare Sciences to clearly reflect areas of study and further facilitate education and studies in line with the founding principle. Thereafter, the Graduate School’s Health and Social Welfare Graduate Program increased its number of courses to four with the addition of Clinical Psychology to contribute to the enhancement of both physical and mental health and wellbeing. In March 2003, the Graduate School was officially designated a clinical psychologist training institution by Japan’s certifying body.
Nishikyushu University is known for providing students with a quality education based on clear and pure principles and objectives. In addition, as the only four-year private university in Saga prefecture, the University is well aware of the high expectations placed on it by local communities. In response, the University has contributed greatly to local communities by serving as a center of education in the fields of welfare and nutrition.
We will continue to devote ourselves to the further improvement of the University to more effectively fulfill our goals in accordance with the University’s principle and objectives.