In a development that could provide a new twist in competition among Japan's private universities, Tokyo-based Keio University says it will set up its first base in western Japan from spring 2008.
Next year will mark the 150th anniversary of Keio's founding. The move reflects the institution's ties with Osaka as that is where Fukuzawa Yukichi, Keio's founder, was born.
Keio will rent out floor space in a building to be built on the site on which a hospital affiliated with Osaka University's Faculty of Medicine used to stand.
Students living in the Kansai area will be able to take courses through a long-distance learning program using the Internet. Keio also plans to set up a research base in cooperation with the industrial sector.
According to Keio sources, the university's board of trustees decided on the Osaka move on Dec. 15.
Keio currently has five campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture. The main campus is in Mita in Tokyo's Minato Ward. Keio also has research bases in Kawasaki and Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture.
The university also has a base in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward for those who are already working but want to continue with their studies.
Fukuzawa was born to a low-ranking samurai with the Nakatsu clan, from what is now Oita Prefecture. The Nakatsu clan had a compound next to the Dojimagawa river in what is now Osaka's Fukushima Ward.
Fukuzawa studied at the Tekijuku school operated by the Dutch scholar Ogata Koan in Osaka. He later served as the head of the school before founding in 1858 the school that would become Keio.
The site where a new 14-story building is being constructed contains a sign indicating that Fukuzawa was born there.
Keio will rent out the third floor of the building. While final details have not been set, the facility will occupy about 400 square meters of floor space.
Keio plans to set up two new graduate programs on its Hiyoshi campus in Yokohama from April 2008. Students in Osaka will be able to sit in on seminars in the media design program and system design and management program through online learning programs.
The Osaka base will also encourage joint research endeavors with companies in the Kansai area.
Keio sources said there were also plans to use the facility for Keio's business school.
Keio officials said the move to Osaka was made to honor the birthplace of the university's founder.
"We do not yet foresee strategic elements related to competition among private universities," said one Keio official.
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200701170186.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment