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At the APU Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (GSA) research
is being
done into the real world problems facing society today in an effort
to identify possible policy solutions.
This time we would like to give you an introduction
to the content of our major in Asia Pacific Studies (APS). |
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Graduate
School of Asia Pacific Studies (GSA)
The GSA has both a Master's Program (GSAM-APS) and a Doctoral (PhD) Program
(GSAD-APS) that are working to establish and develop the new academic field of "Asia Pacific Studies". As the name of our school, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University,
implies, we are trying to link every facet of our new university to the Asia
Pacific region, and at the graduate level we are putting great emphasis on looking
into the region's future development.
In the past few decades the Asia Pacific region has developed at a rapid
pace. As this development and growth continues it is possible to imagine
that the Asia Pacific could eventually supplant Western Civilization as
the world leader in science and technology, and also in determining the
structure of the global society. However, as more non-western nations join
the developed world it is predicted that disagreements and discord will
increase and international relations may continue to worsen. It is vital
that the Asia Pacific region finds its place in this new world and is able
to cope with the huge diversity of people and ambitions that exist within
its own borders. The future can be a time of peace, progress, and stability,
or it can become a time of great confusion and chaos. The Asia Pacific
region is currently grappling with both the positive and potentially negative
effects of its sudden rise in influence. As the rest of the world also
adapts to this change, it is the goal of our graduate program in Asia Pacific
Studies to identify viable ways to steer this change in directions that
will be beneficial to all people.
Special Aspects of the Research
At the APU Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies our students work in close
cooperation with the faculty to expand this new field of academic endeavor. Along
with learning basic theory and reviewing prior research that has been done in
this field, our students are challenged to seek out new evidence and resources,
and to formulate new research findings that can contribute to the expansion of
human knowledge. The research now being done at APU uses an interdisciplinary
approach that is essential to understanding the real problems currently facing
the Asia Pacific region and then identifying possible solutions. For example, "National Citizens and Immigrants", "Promotion of Regional Development and Regional Currencies", "Economic Development and Politics: The Role of Gender", "Globalization and Regionalism", are just some of the many topics now being researched. The primary goal however,
is always to look to the future of the region, and foster researchers who can
contribute to the creation of the future Asia Pacific.
* In the GSA we also offer a major in
International Cooperation Policy (ICP). |
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I
entered GSAM-APS to further develop my research.
JOSHI Pratyoush B.
(GSAM-APS 1, Nepal)
The main reason I chose APU graduate school was because of the diversity of
its faculty members and student body. I believe that understanding the Asia Pacific
Region begins with understanding it from different perspectives and comprehending
the mentality of the region's peoples - that is what APU offers. The versatile
classes give me the general political, social, economical and historical background
of this region, and discussions with people from around the world give me access
to broader perspectives.
Having done my undergraduate course at APU, what strikes me most
is the density of the graduate school classes. The small size of
the classes fosters more discussions than normal lectures, which
is very important for social science. Although the university library
is relatively new, the information available from the online database
is great. This has helped me tremendously with my classes and will
be absolutely crucial for my thesis.
While APU is new, I believe it has potential. This is because it
tries to understand the Asia Pacific region in all its senses - social,
political, economical as well as historical. |
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A
Stimulating Environment for PhD Studies.
KUMARASINGHE Pivithuru Janak
(GSAD-APS 1, Sri Lanka)
I had worked as an academic for several years in Sri Lanka, but wanted to gain
additional skills to help me excel in the challenging world of academia. I found
what I was looking for in the PhD program of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
(APU). The PhD program here is very rigorous and demanding, but extremely rewarding.
I have been able to tailor my doctoral research specifically to my own area of
interest, and the academic, as well as the non-academic staff, are very flexible
and supportive in making sure that the program meets the needs of the students.
The professors are all experts in their field, and are further willing
to spend large amounts of time one-on-one with students, reviewing
assignments, discussing research ideas, and assisting them throughout
their studies. The level of individual attention I have received
has been amazing. I have also been encouraged to participate in research
conferences, workshops, and seminars, which are great opportunities
to interact with other researchers from different areas of expertise
and enhance my own knowledge of other disciplines. |
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| <Graduate Schools Corner> |
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What
is " Asia Pacific Studies " ? |
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