NEWS

On Friday, September 25, 2015, the Fall Entrance Ceremony was held at B-con Plaza in Beppu City, welcoming 651 new students from around the world.

This fall the University welcomes 505 undergraduate students (35 domestic and 470 international), 62 graduate students (5 domestic and 57 international) and 84 non-degree students (15 domestic and 69 international) from 56 countries and regions. (As of September 21, 2015)

In his greeting, President KORENAGA Shun touched on the global mindset that is one appealing feature of APU students, and he welcomed the new entrants with the following words of encouragement: “APU students develop a genuine global mindset by living together on APU’s multilingual and multicultural campus while cultivating mutual respect and an understanding of foreign cultures. I believe that in APU, you have chosen the ideal platform to carve out your future, and I welcome you all to our campus. I wish you every success during your time here at APU.”

KIMURA Kaori (College of International Management 4th year, Japan) addressed the audience on behalf of current students. TADESSE Dagmawi Fanuel (College of Asia Pacific Studies, Ethiopia) and ALGAA Altangerel (Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies Master's Program, Mongolia) then spoke on behalf of the undergraduate and graduate new entrants respectively.

Speaking on behalf of the new undergraduate students, TADESSE shared his aspirations for the future: “Here at APU the world comes together to create an environment in which students from all over the world can interact and share their experiences and culture. We are here to build a new world of multi-culture and diversity and as an African student I am excited to share my experience. It is my sincere hope that with the knowledge and global exposure we gain here, we will be able to make a difference in both our lives and other people around the world.”

ALGAA then spoke on behalf of the new graduate school students: “My desire is to be a specialist on tourism and hospitality. In order to fulfill this desire, studying at APU in Japan plays a very important role for me. It unites two differing opportunities I have searched for, learning about foreign cultures and hospitality. Studying here at APU, I will be able to develop the skills, knowledge and experience. Then I can compare the present state of Mongolian tourism with the Japanese case and use what I learn to assist developing policies for development of tourism, while allowing both nomadic and city people to benefit from tourism as well as keeping our nature clean and pure.”

Many current students also came along to the ceremony to welcome the new entrants to APU and enjoyed the colorful performances that followed, including a traditional Indonesian dance, Korean folk music, Chinese traditional art, and Japanese drum and dance performances.

The Entrance Ceremony was also broadcasted live on the internet via Ustream. Footage can be viewed at the APU Gallery: The 2015 Fall Entrance Ceremony.

Related Link:

The Fall 2015 Entrance Ceremony　（APU Gallery）

Message from President KORENAGA　(link to Notes from the President)