Message from the President
The spirit of Asunaro* is the basis of our humanistic education system.
Nishikyushu University is comprised of the Faculties of 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). Since its establishment, the University has strived to be a quality education and research organization. As the only four-year private university in Saga prefecture, the University has served local communities as the center of nutrition, health, medical care and social welfare studies in the area. Over the years the University has produced nearly 6,000 graduates who now play important roles in society in their individual fields, including nutrition management and social welfare services.
The University is also a designated training institution for national registered dietitian, social worker, psychiatric social worker, care worker, physical therapist and occupational therapist certification candidates, as well as for certified clinical psychologist candidates. Nishikyushu University boasts among the most successful results in Kyushu in terms of the number of candidates achieving certification in these fields every year.
The educational principle of Nishikyushu University is to develop professionals who serve the health and wellbeing of people by providing practical, hands-on study of the required knowledge and skills through a humanistic approach to education based on the spirit of Asunaro*. The University offers quality education services and a comfortable environment necessary for the implementation of this principle.
The University campuses represent their own little worlds with beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring and vibrantly colored leaves in the fall, making them relaxing and pleasing environments for students to pursue their academic endeavors and enjoy campus life. We look forward to assisting you in your first step toward achieving your dream.
*Asunaro —The positive attitude that achieves aspirations—
Asunaro is the Japanese name for Thujopsis dolabrata, a conifer in the cypress family that is endemic to Japan. A popular meaning behind the name asunaro is Asu wa hinoki ni naro, meaning “Tomorrow I will become a hinoki cypress” (i.e. the asunaro looks like a smaller version of the common hinoki cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa). This meaning is similar to the wish of the University founder to educate and encourage motivated young students who are willing to take on challenges and work hard to become strong and successful.
Yuji Fukumoto
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.