Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

On Saturday, March 16, 2013, a symposium was held at APU under the title of “Global Human Resources from Japan around the World ? APU’s 13 year journey and messages from our Graduates”. During the symposium, participants discussed the kind of qualities and skills graduates need to become “global human resources” and how these qualities should be developed at university. The symposium was attended by approximately 200 spring new entrants, graduates, current APU students, and off-campus guests.

Representative of Talent Growth Support, TAGOMORI Kizo, delivered a keynote speech during which he described environmental changes besieging Japanese businesses, the kind of human resources currently sought by businesses, and the importance of career design.

Facilitated by the Dean of the College of International Management, Professor YOKOYAMA Kenji, a panel discussion was then held featuring TAGOMORI Kizo, the Dean of Careers YAMAMOTO Susumu, APU Graduate LEE Eng Ngor (APM grad, spring’03, Malaysia), FUKUDA Kenta (APM grad, spring’08, Japan), ASAKURA Minako (APM grad, spring’09, Japan), and current APU student HONDA Shunsuke (AS3, Japan).
During the panel discussion, graduates spoke about their careers after APU and offered a message of encouragement to current APU students: “Have a clear picture of the strengths you will need in order to realize your dreams and lead an active university life accordingly”, “Make use of the APU environment, make lots of friends and experience as much as you can with them”.

Participants then took part in a 90-minute interaction session during which new students were able to share their dreams and uncertainties about university life and get feedback and advice from graduates based on their experiences as APU students. Some of the new students shared their impressions of the event: “I was able to get a better idea about studying abroad and what is really important for me. This event has raised my interest in a range of new areas”. “Taking a greater interest in new things has taught me the importance of challenging myself. This event also motivated me to consider how I should lead an interesting and meaningful student life”.

This project is backed by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and was held as part of the “MEXT AY2012 Project for the Promotion of Global Human Resource Development”*. APU remains committed to the education and development of graduates with the skills needed to play an active role on the global stage.

*About the “Project for the Promotion of Global Human Resource Development” https://www.apu.ac.jp/home/about/index.php?content_id=163