November 21st, 2023
Three members of the dance club performed in a show with students from New York University.
Three members of the Mukogawa Women's University Dance Club (2nd year students of the Department of Health and Sports Science, Maho Ito, Waka Okitsu, and Sakura Shirahase) performed in the "2023 Distinguished Faculty Dance Concert" that opened at the Frederick Loewe Theatre in the heart of Manhattan, USA, on November 17th and 18th.
The three dancers performed in "Apart/ A part" by Professor Deborah Damasto. Returning to the primal foundations of dance, the three performed a piece that expressed the isolation and tragedy that exist on a daily basis, even as human culture is built through community support.
Ms. Ito, captain of the dance club, who performed in the piece, said, "It was a valuable experience to dance with such wonderful people who welcomed us from Japan with open arms. Every day for two weeks was exciting and we had a wonderful time. I will use this experience in my future club activities and school life. Lecturer Junko Toyonaga, who led the group, commented, "Seeing how the three participants connected with the dancers and the audience at every rehearsal and how much they moved the audience at the performance, I realized again that dance is an irreplaceable tool that transcends and connects all kinds of things. I would especially like to thank Dr. Deborah, the NYU staff, and everyone who supported us for giving us this opportunity and making it such a wonderful experience."
November 21st, 2023
Students of the Graduate School of Architecture conducted an overseas practical training for conservation and restoration in Turkey.
Based on a general exchange agreement with Bahçeşehir University in Turkey, a total of seven second-year master's students of the Graduate School of Architecture (Department of Architecture / Landscape Architecture) spent 2 weeks from October 29th to November 11th in Turkey as part of their overseas conservation and restoration training.
In Turkey, they visited more than 20 places, including palaces, mosques, and other historical buildings, as well as conservation and restoration sites. They also made sketches and deepened their knowledge of architecture. They also visited Bahçeşehir University and paid a courtesy visit the Chancellor and the Dean.
On the last day, the students exhibited their sketches in the university as a result of the training. After the class, the students went on a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait on the university's cruise ship and ate kebabs, a traditional Turkish dish, for lunch, interacting with both local faculty and students.
Ms. Yui Nakatani, a second-year master's student in the Landscape Architecture Major, said, "I have wanted to visit Turkey for some time, so I was delighted to be able to participate in this training program. It was a fulfilling training program, as I visited many traditional architectures that have different structure from those in Japan."
November 20th, 2023
Students presented their results at the report meeting of Social Work Practicum I & II and Mental Health and Welfare Assistance Practicum.
The "2023 Practicum Report Meeting" was held on November 11th to summarize the Social Work Practicum I and II and Mental Health and Welfare Assistance Practicum, at which third- and fourth-year students studying in the Department of Social Welfare presented the results of their practical training. Approximately 200 2nd to 4th year students studying the course participated in the event. Many people who had guided and assisted the students in their practical training attended online and in person, and watched the students' presentations.
At the session, following opening remarks by Professor Kuraishi, Head of the Department of Social Welfare, students presented the results of their "Social Work Practicum I & II and Mental Health and Welfare Assistance Practicum". Using a PowerPoint presentation prepared in cooperation with each field, the students summarized their training, touching on such learning topics as "the importance of individualization and how to reflect this in support," "the significance of multidisciplinary cooperation and its relevance to community building," and "the values and expertise that one should possess as a social worker.”
After the report, the supervisor praised the students, commenting, "I can visibly see the results of their learning as they were able to verbalize what they had learned," and "I expect them to grow further by making use of what they learned in the training.”
The junior students who will go to the next year's practical training also listened attentively to the report, and commented, "I now understand what the older students experienced during their practical training," and "I am looking forward to the next year's practical training."
November 18th, 2023
Professor Tetsuya Kuraishi, Head of the Department of Social Welfare, School of Psychology and Social Welfare, received the Nishinomiya City Community Development Award
The Nishinomiya City Community Development Award (sponsored by Nishinomiya City) was presented to Professor Kuraishi, head of the Department of Social Welfare, School of Psychology and Social Welfare, at a presentation ceremony held at Nishinomiya City Hall on March 16th. The award is presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of Nishinomiya City's infrastructure, education, culture, welfare, and other fields, with the aim of creating a vibrant and prosperous city. This year, four honorees, including Professor Kuraishi, were selected for the award.
Professor Kuraishi received the award in recognition of his contributions to the development of the city's child and child care support measures, including serving as a member of the Nishinomiya City Child Care Council, as well as providing training for child care workers and advice on how to respond to child maltreatment and other cases over the years. The award was given in recognition of his contributions to the development of the city's child and support policies, including training for childcare workers and advice on responding to child abuse cases.
In his address, Mayor Ishii of Nishinomiya City said, "On behalf of the city's 480,000 citizens, I would like to express my gratitude to the recipients for their tremendous contributions. Nishinomiya has received high recognition from both within and outside the city as a city where people want to live and continue to do so, and has continued to develop as a core city in the Hanshin area. We will continue our efforts to develop Nishinomiya as an educational and residential city."
Professor Kuraishi commented on the award, "I believe that this award is due to the cooperation of everyone who has been working on childcare support measures for nearly 20 years. I would like to continue to be involved in the development of Nishinomiya City in relation to my efforts at the university."
November 15th, 2023
A series of videos showing the current state of Mukogawa Women's University, U.S. (MUSC) has been completed and is now available on the university website.
The videos were recorded over 10 days in May of this year during the spring semester of the Department of English and Global Studies. The videos can be viewed under "Learning at MUSC" in the "MUSC and Global Education" section of the university's website, or under the slider "Mukogawa Women's University US Campus" at the top of the homepage.
The three videos that have been released are "Another Campus in the U.S.," "The People of Spokane," and "Interviews with the People Who Support the Students."
Of these, "Another Campus in America" is the “Primary" version, which is filled with the charms of the American Campus. Zooming in on the green campus from a drone-photographed panoramic view of the sprawling campus. The camera captures students in and around campus, including classes and dorms. Students enjoy shopping at a market in Spokane, or having a barbecue with a homestay family. Students' comments, such as "I've learned to enjoy talking with locals" and "I've become more outgoing," show their confidence and willingness to try new things.
The "With the People of Spokane" section focuses on the interaction between the students and the simple and friendly people of Spokane. Local elementary school students who visited the Japanese Cultural Center on campus were thrilled to have students dress them in yukata and teach them how to play Japanese games such as kendama. The children enjoy a picnic on the spacious lawn with the students.
In the "Interviews: The People Who Support the Students" section, the faculty and staff of MUSC are introduced one after another, including Brenda, the Director of Academic Affairs who has been with the school since it opened in 1990, who says in an interview, "Over the past 30 years or so, Japanese students have become more active and more like American students. If you are interested in improving your English and living in a different culture, the American campus is the perfect place for you."
November 14th, 2023
Mei Kubo of the Department of English and Global Studies, School of Letters, won second place in the Hitomi Cup English Speech Contest.
"The 27th Hitomi Cup English Speech Contest" (hosted by Showa Women's University, School of International Studies) was held at Showa Women's University in Tokyo on November 11, 2012. Mei Kubo, a third-year student in the Department of English and Global Studies, won the second prize and the President's Cup. Sixteen university students selected from all over Japan participated in the competition, competing in a five-minute speech contest in English.
Mr. Kubo's theme was "Without Saying Sorry." She appealed for a society where people can get paid without having to say sorry to their bosses. Mr. Kubo said, "I did not improve as much as I wanted and had to practice hard every day, but I was able to exceed my own limits of ability. I am very grateful to my teachers and fellow seminar students."
Professor Toshihiro Shimizu of the Department of English and Global Studies (Global Communication) in the Faculty of Letters, who was in charge of teaching the students, said, "It was wonderful to see her tackle head-on a social problem that is difficult to solve. I think her dignified attitude made her speech more persuasive."
With this award, the Department of English Global Studies in the Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences, which fosters advanced English communication skills, has achieved the feat of winning the top prize in a nationwide English speech contest for the eighth consecutive year.