Akita Nutrition Junior College

Message from the President

When education is passed from one person to another their hearts meet.

We live in an age when the meaning of university or college must be seriously considered. What do students seek in higher education, and in turn what role can college play for students?

Japanese colleges were once referred to as "leisure land" by the mass media. Once a student secured a seat at a college, graduation was considered automatic. Students studied hard before entering college, but once they were enrolled they tended to "play."

I have always told our faculty not to worry about pleasing students, but to provide high standards in education, thus igniting their natural curiosity and ambition.

A high school curriculum is such that students have classes all day. But in college the class scheduling is more flexible. Some students arrange classes so that most of them are in the afternoon. There is also the long summer break from July to early autumn. This kind of college life allows students to fully enjoy a great degree of freedom. And yet this freedom may be harmful if it is not used wisely. Fundamentally, the college schedule is arranged to allow students time to prepare for and review their classes during free time between classes or during the time when classes are not scheduled. The long summer break is given for students to read books and to engage themselves in some kind of learning experience that is not possible during the regular course of study. Learning, no matter how interesting it can be, requires a certain amount of time and systematic study that requires perseverance.

It is my constant desire to provide an education where students can learn to enjoy completing course tasks given to them, and where students can learn to have perseverance in reading through a series of books on selected themes. Our college has devoted instructors whom I encourage to offer fascinating and inspiring classes that the students will be excited to take.

The most important role that a college organization has is not constructing school buildings, or modifying the curriculum, or reorganizing the school system. These are all important. But the main thing to remember is that college is a "people business." It is a well known fact that Shoin Yoshida held Matsushitasonjuku classes in a tiny old rundown building. The school lasted only a few years but many youth were educated to become valuable assets to society.

The essence of education is the fact that it passes down from one person to another, inspiring people and creating a harmony of hearts. It may take time to fully realize this goal. But at our school, this is our endeavor.

Education passed down from person to person strikes a sympathetic chord among people.

President

Ken Koizumi

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