Several universities and the cooperatives that run their dining halls are experimenting with methods to get their students to eat breakfast, such as a "mileage point" system or free breakfast campaigns.
Such ideas are working rather well for the students--not only in making the morning meal a habit, but also in expanding their circle of friends.
Beginning this academic year, the cooperative at Miyagi University of Education in Sendai started a breakfast promotion program called "breakfast marathon."
Under the program, students can collect one point by buying breakfast at the cafeteria run by the cooperative. With five points, they receive a small side dish normally priced at 60 yen. With 10 points, they receive a side of rice and miso soup, and 15 points gets them a 400 yen meal.
Furthermore, the cooperative ran a campaign through late May, in which students were awarded double points when they ate breakfast at the cafeteria in a group of two or more.
University junior Naoki Takahashi collected 15 points in April alone. During the month, he had breakfast at the cafeteria 10 times, five of which were each with a different friend.
"I live on my own, so it's nice to eat with my friends," Takahashi, 21, said. "The points turn into meals, so I can save my living expenses, too."
The cooperative began serving breakfast at the refectory in April 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. At first, however, only about 10 people came each day.
"So we thought we needed a system that would make it fun and advantageous to have breakfast at the dining hall," Takao Tamura, a senior cooperative executive, said.
Since beginning the "breakfast marathon," the number of students eating breakfast in the school's dining hall has jumped fivefold.
At Hakuoh University in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture, students have been receiving breakfast for free at the student refectory during part of April for the past six years. The idea is to get students to eat regularly and have a more stable lifestyle. Between April 11 and April 28 this year, about 500 students took advantage of the free breakfast each day.
And at Tottori University, freshmen can have free breakfast for several days immediately after matriculating into the university. This year, they received the gratis meal from April 10 to April 14. Other students and faculty members participated in the program as counselors to offer advice to the freshmen about student life.
According to a survey on students conducted every year by the federation of university cooperatives in Tokyo, 61 percent of students living away from their parents said they do not eat breakfast. Many students also are not getting a balanced diet.
And according to a first-of-its-kind survey in 2005 by the Consumer Cooperative Institute of Japan in Tokyo of about 7,000 students, the number of students claiming they become tired easily was in correlation with the number of students who said they do not regularly eat breakfast. Only about 20 percent of students said they enjoy having breakfast, presumably because they tend to have breakfast alone.
"Even if you are aware and informed about how to protect your health, most of the time you can't do so because it takes money and time," said Ichiro Nishimura, who was in charge of the survey. "It's important to support universities and university cooperatives so that students can have a lively campus life."
(Jun. 19, 2006)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20060619TDY03001.htm
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
New farm skills training course a flop with NEETs
It seems the promise of important job skills and fresh country air are not enough to lure the nation's growing NEET and "freeter" population into action.
In fact, only six people have applied to take part in a farm skills training program recently set up by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The program offers three separate farm training courses for NEETs, or people not in education, employment or training, and freeters, young people who hop from one part-time job to another.
The idea was to have participants take up farm internships while studying management and agricultural production engineering for up to six months, thereby solving the NEET dilemma and at the same time boosting the dwindling rural workforce.
Ministry officials calculated 120 people a year would take part in the "Challenge! Farm School" program annually.
The three- to six- month courses slated to have started at separate locations in Ibaraki and Nagano prefectures in April. Officials are now scrambling to make up numbers.
As well as sending brochures to unemployment offices nationwide, they are also offering the course to prospective workers on a trial basis for one to six days.
According to a number of nonprofit organizations that work with young people, the high price tag of the courses, as well as the length, is most likely where the ministry went wrong.
The six-month program costs about 570,000 yen.(IHT/Asahi: June 12,2006)
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200606120105.html
In fact, only six people have applied to take part in a farm skills training program recently set up by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The program offers three separate farm training courses for NEETs, or people not in education, employment or training, and freeters, young people who hop from one part-time job to another.
The idea was to have participants take up farm internships while studying management and agricultural production engineering for up to six months, thereby solving the NEET dilemma and at the same time boosting the dwindling rural workforce.
Ministry officials calculated 120 people a year would take part in the "Challenge! Farm School" program annually.
The three- to six- month courses slated to have started at separate locations in Ibaraki and Nagano prefectures in April. Officials are now scrambling to make up numbers.
As well as sending brochures to unemployment offices nationwide, they are also offering the course to prospective workers on a trial basis for one to six days.
According to a number of nonprofit organizations that work with young people, the high price tag of the courses, as well as the length, is most likely where the ministry went wrong.
The six-month program costs about 570,000 yen.(IHT/Asahi: June 12,2006)
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200606120105.html
Friday, June 16, 2006
Minato Ward, Temple to foster intl awareness
Minato Ward, Tokyo, and Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ), have concluded a basic agreement to collaborate in a series of projects to foster international understanding and cross-cultural communication.
Since its opening in 1982 as a full-scale branch campus of the Pennsylvania state university, TUJ has been based in Minato Ward.
During a signing ceremony held at the end of last month at TUJ, Minato Ward Mayor Masaaki Takei said his ward had formed a partnership with the institution to offer better services as "one of the nation's richest municipalities in terms of internationalism." The ward has many foreign residents from various countries as there are numerous foreign embassies and international firms located there.
Under the agreement, the two sides will offer their knowledge, services and resources to each other in the fields of education, culture and community development.
For example, TUJ will offer two programs to local public schools during its summer vacation--a seminar on English teaching for teachers as well as a summer program for middle school students. TUJ will also dispatch its students and instructors to primary and middle schools as assistants for classes on cross-cultural communication.
Moreover, the Japan campus will offer some academic services to local residents and ward officials. These will include classes in English and Japanese, such as a training program for ward officials to brush up their English skills. They will also be able to take courses at TUJ at discounted rates.
At the same time, the Minato Ward office will allow those studying and working at TUJ to use the ward's sports facilities at discounted rates, as the campus does not have such facilities of its own.
The two sides have also agreed to make their libraries available to each other, while also dispatching students or ward officials and teachers to each other as interns or trainees for the purpose of human resource development.
"We hope to provide opportunities for those who live and work in Minato [Ward] to acquire the communication skills necessary to be truly global citizens," said TUJ Dean Kirk Patterson.
(Jun. 9, 2006)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20060609TDY20001.htm
Since its opening in 1982 as a full-scale branch campus of the Pennsylvania state university, TUJ has been based in Minato Ward.
During a signing ceremony held at the end of last month at TUJ, Minato Ward Mayor Masaaki Takei said his ward had formed a partnership with the institution to offer better services as "one of the nation's richest municipalities in terms of internationalism." The ward has many foreign residents from various countries as there are numerous foreign embassies and international firms located there.
Under the agreement, the two sides will offer their knowledge, services and resources to each other in the fields of education, culture and community development.
For example, TUJ will offer two programs to local public schools during its summer vacation--a seminar on English teaching for teachers as well as a summer program for middle school students. TUJ will also dispatch its students and instructors to primary and middle schools as assistants for classes on cross-cultural communication.
Moreover, the Japan campus will offer some academic services to local residents and ward officials. These will include classes in English and Japanese, such as a training program for ward officials to brush up their English skills. They will also be able to take courses at TUJ at discounted rates.
At the same time, the Minato Ward office will allow those studying and working at TUJ to use the ward's sports facilities at discounted rates, as the campus does not have such facilities of its own.
The two sides have also agreed to make their libraries available to each other, while also dispatching students or ward officials and teachers to each other as interns or trainees for the purpose of human resource development.
"We hope to provide opportunities for those who live and work in Minato [Ward] to acquire the communication skills necessary to be truly global citizens," said TUJ Dean Kirk Patterson.
(Jun. 9, 2006)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/language/20060609TDY20001.htm
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Toyota International Teacher Program Sends US Teachers to Japan
40 Educational Ambassadors Participate in Study Tour
TORRANCE, Calif., June 1 -- 40 U.S. teachers, chosen as educational ambassadors through the Toyota International Teacher Program (TITP), will spend two rigorous weeks this June traveling through rural and urban Japan from Tokyo to northern Kyushu. Now in its 8th year, the program sends teachers on a study tour to learn about Japan's past and present, explore global issues and experience this significant culture firsthand. This unique experience has distinguished the TITP program as one of the preeminent teacher study-abroad programs in the country for American teachers.
Since its inception, TITP has attracted interest from more than 4,000 teachers who have submitted applications. This year, the delegation of teachers represent 10 US states -- Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Tennessee. They will bring their unique perspectives to those they meet in Japan and upon their return to the U.S. share insights from their Japan experience with their students.
"In many ways, teachers are catalysts in the global community and are in a unique position to educate students on the world in which we live," said Michael Rouse, corporate manager, philanthropy and community affairs, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We are proud to provide teachers with a first-hand experience that helps enhance their curriculum through international study."
Funded through an annual $825,000 grant from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., the program is the only one of its kind sponsored by a major U.S. corporation. To date, a total of 360 teachers from all over the U.S. have participated in the 8 year-old program. This year's trip to Japan will take place June 23 through July 5.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington, D.C., the nation's most experienced non-profit educational exchange organization, administers the program. "The Toyota International Teacher Program provides teachers with experiences and tools they can use to enable their students to think and act on a cooperative and global basis," said IIE President and CEO Dr. Allan E. Goodman.
The study tour to Japan is the first of three professional development programs for teachers that Toyota will sponsor in the next year. The next study tour will be to the Galapagos Islands this October. The selection process for this program is currently underway, including applications from many bilingual educators. In March 2007, another international professional development opportunity will be offered in Costa Rica. TITP is proud that these three distinct study-abroad programs will enable U.S. teachers to enhance their curricula through meaningful interaction with a variety of people, cultures and environments.
TITP in Japan focuses on four themes -- history, education, environment, and technology -- and how these affect industry and society. Program activities include visits to elementary, secondary and university level schools, factories, and sites of historical and environmental importance and will be highlighted by discussions with well-known authors, historians, educators and business leaders.
The 40 educators traveling to Japan this summer teach a variety of subjects and were selected based on their professional and leadership qualifications, as well as their plans to incorporate their experiences and research into their curriculum. To be eligible teachers must be a U.S. citizen, employed full-time as a secondary classroom teacher (grades 9-12), and have a minimum of three years teaching experience.
Japan TITP program alumni Daniel Bryant and Cindy Hasselbring, will return to Japan as "Traveling Alumni" to help mentor members of the new group, as well as extend their own previous TITP experience.
TITP demonstrates the company's long-standing commitment to supporting education. In 2005, Toyota USA contributed nearly $41 million to U.S. philanthropic programs, with a majority of funding supporting education. Besides donating to a wide range of educational organizations, Toyota has created its own innovative programs, including grants for science teachers, scholarships for students, technical training and family literacy programs.
Founded in 1957, TMS is the sales, marketing, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1,415 dealers in 49 states.
About Toyota's Education Programs
In addition to sponsoring a number of nonprofit educational organizations, Toyota offers three major programs that support teachers with grants and students with scholarships; Toyota TAPESTRY, the largest K-12 science teacher grant program of its kind in the U.S.; Toyota Community Scholars, which provides 100 scholarships to high school seniors based on academics and community service; and the Toyota International Teacher Program. Toyota also supports scholarships through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund; United Negro College Fund; Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation; National FFA; and the American Indian College Fund.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/06/01/009317.html
TORRANCE, Calif., June 1 -- 40 U.S. teachers, chosen as educational ambassadors through the Toyota International Teacher Program (TITP), will spend two rigorous weeks this June traveling through rural and urban Japan from Tokyo to northern Kyushu. Now in its 8th year, the program sends teachers on a study tour to learn about Japan's past and present, explore global issues and experience this significant culture firsthand. This unique experience has distinguished the TITP program as one of the preeminent teacher study-abroad programs in the country for American teachers.
Since its inception, TITP has attracted interest from more than 4,000 teachers who have submitted applications. This year, the delegation of teachers represent 10 US states -- Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Tennessee. They will bring their unique perspectives to those they meet in Japan and upon their return to the U.S. share insights from their Japan experience with their students.
"In many ways, teachers are catalysts in the global community and are in a unique position to educate students on the world in which we live," said Michael Rouse, corporate manager, philanthropy and community affairs, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We are proud to provide teachers with a first-hand experience that helps enhance their curriculum through international study."
Funded through an annual $825,000 grant from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., the program is the only one of its kind sponsored by a major U.S. corporation. To date, a total of 360 teachers from all over the U.S. have participated in the 8 year-old program. This year's trip to Japan will take place June 23 through July 5.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington, D.C., the nation's most experienced non-profit educational exchange organization, administers the program. "The Toyota International Teacher Program provides teachers with experiences and tools they can use to enable their students to think and act on a cooperative and global basis," said IIE President and CEO Dr. Allan E. Goodman.
The study tour to Japan is the first of three professional development programs for teachers that Toyota will sponsor in the next year. The next study tour will be to the Galapagos Islands this October. The selection process for this program is currently underway, including applications from many bilingual educators. In March 2007, another international professional development opportunity will be offered in Costa Rica. TITP is proud that these three distinct study-abroad programs will enable U.S. teachers to enhance their curricula through meaningful interaction with a variety of people, cultures and environments.
TITP in Japan focuses on four themes -- history, education, environment, and technology -- and how these affect industry and society. Program activities include visits to elementary, secondary and university level schools, factories, and sites of historical and environmental importance and will be highlighted by discussions with well-known authors, historians, educators and business leaders.
The 40 educators traveling to Japan this summer teach a variety of subjects and were selected based on their professional and leadership qualifications, as well as their plans to incorporate their experiences and research into their curriculum. To be eligible teachers must be a U.S. citizen, employed full-time as a secondary classroom teacher (grades 9-12), and have a minimum of three years teaching experience.
Japan TITP program alumni Daniel Bryant and Cindy Hasselbring, will return to Japan as "Traveling Alumni" to help mentor members of the new group, as well as extend their own previous TITP experience.
TITP demonstrates the company's long-standing commitment to supporting education. In 2005, Toyota USA contributed nearly $41 million to U.S. philanthropic programs, with a majority of funding supporting education. Besides donating to a wide range of educational organizations, Toyota has created its own innovative programs, including grants for science teachers, scholarships for students, technical training and family literacy programs.
Founded in 1957, TMS is the sales, marketing, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1,415 dealers in 49 states.
About Toyota's Education Programs
In addition to sponsoring a number of nonprofit educational organizations, Toyota offers three major programs that support teachers with grants and students with scholarships; Toyota TAPESTRY, the largest K-12 science teacher grant program of its kind in the U.S.; Toyota Community Scholars, which provides 100 scholarships to high school seniors based on academics and community service; and the Toyota International Teacher Program. Toyota also supports scholarships through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund; United Negro College Fund; Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation; National FFA; and the American Indian College Fund.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/06/01/009317.html
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