Leap before you think

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University - Japan

by Aditha Dissanayake

Yes. Leap before you think. No other slogan best befits the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) at Jumonjibaru in Beppu city, Oita Prefecture, Japan, than this. For, here is a university for the adventurous, the go-getters, the future leaders of this century...and even for those who are quite the opposite shy, quiet and retiring. Four years at APU is guaranteed to transform you into the kind of dynamic personality Stepen R. Covey would be proud of.

Having read so far, if you are thinking you should give up reading this article because this is for the young 'uns', hold it. There is no age limit to enroll at APU. Even though the majority of the students are in their early twenties, anyone above seventy too, is most welcome.

Founded six years ago, currently with a student population of approximately 2,000 international students from 72 countries together with more than 2,800 Japanese students, my first encounter with the President of the University, surprisingly (or not) takes place in the university canteen. President of APU, Monte Cassim, a Sri Lankan graduate from the University of Colombo, now holding a Major in Urban Development from the University of Tokyo, while dipping into a bowl of Kimichi Ramo (?) with deftly handled chopsticks agrees that having begun his career in 1972 at the State Engineering Corporation, Sri Lanka as an architect, today as the head of a comprehensive academic institution of the highest standards, he has finally arrived. As an undergraduate at the University of Colombo, he had had so many ideals about creating the perfect atmosphere for scholarly pursuits.

An atmosphere free of constraints, and rich with liberal thinking providing the best foundation to nurture aspiring minds. President Cassim believes at APU where students from countries and regions throughout the world study together, live together and understand each other's cultures and ways of life, in pursuit of goals which are common to all mankind will turn out as dynamic individuals who will herald peace, freedom and humanity into the world. 'It's good to find oneself in a position to implement those youthful ideals' says President Cassim with a satisfied smile.

And the results? Step into the AP hostel and you bump into one. Nadeeshani. Dressed in blue pants, pink pull-over and bubbling with vitality, the perfect picture for an advertisement for vitamins on TV, Nadeeshani is happy she selected APU after she passed her A/Ls in Matale, instead of enrolling in an Australian or European University. She misses her family, sure, but has a foster mother in downtown Beppu whom she calls Okasan (mother) and hopes to stay on in Japan after graduation because she knows the University will find her a job with a reputed Japanese company.

This is perhaps the most alluring aspect of APU the unique job placement support system the university offers after graduation. Yassir, a fourth year student from Sri Lanka says he has been offered a job by Fujithsu after he graduates next year. He explains in the first year itself a 'Career Chart' is prepared and each student is offered appropriate advice on career and academic planning in order to become aware of issues relevant to their post-graduation plans. '99% of our graduates find employment in major companies and organizations like Fujitsu, Sony, IBM etc.' says Yvette Kirby at the APU career office.

Through APUs 'On Campus Recruiting Program' organization and company personnel come directly to the APU campus to hold company seminars, written examinations and interviews as part of their recruitment selection process. This provides an excellent opportunity for both company personnel and students alike to find out more about each other. Under this program 250 major Japanese firms and organizations have offered a large number of jobs for APU students. Says Kirby. Darshi, a Sri Lankan student now in her third year who has chosen the hospitality industry as her field of study endorsing Kirby's statement says she will find a job in Japan after graduation in the field of tourism, gain some experience, make some money and return to Sri Lanka to start a business of her own.

The plus point of the assurance of finding permanent employment after graduation, apart, the vision of APU that of striving to cultivate strong leaders abundant in creativity who are able to take on the challenges of the future and make lasting contributions to society, should in itself be an attraction for those who wish to find a niche of their own any where in the world. This is so because APU claims that there is no other education system in the world like APU's where students can elect to study in either Japanese or English. Unlike in the past where students had to be proficient in Japanese if they were to enroll in a Japanese University, at APU English speakers are more than welcome to apply. Language will not be a barrier as lectures will be held in both languages.

According to Susumu Yamagami, Dean, College of Asia Pacific Studies, based on the three pillars of Sociology, International Relations and Area Studies, students of his faculty will be encouraged to carry out research projects on specific topics that will enable them to solve problems inhibiting growth in the Asia Pacific region. 'This includes skills in researching, problem identification, debating and problem solving'. His words are aptly demonstrated by Instructor, V. M. Nair in his special lecture for first year students on November 14th, in which he tries to find a solution to solve the lack of space at the harbour in Karachi. Taking advantage of the first hand information available from APUs diverse international student body, he instructs the students through his lectures how to make a project appraisal for the Karachi harbour.

Meanwhile, Masanori Namba, Dean of the College of Asia Pacific Management says his faculty provides programms that nurture the development of intelligent, creative leaders who will play active roles at the forefront of Asia's dynamic business society in the future. The students can enroll in specialized courses in 'Marketing and Corporate Strategy', International Business and Corporate Strategy, New Business and Innovation etc, or join the other five institutes (Tourism and hospitality, Health environment and life sciences, International Strategy, ICT, and Language and Culture), all of which will cultivate a new generation equipped with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to accurately interpret and react to the changing state of affairs, all over the world.

Talking about 'under-grad' life at APU, Dimitri, who, in spite of his Russian name is from Sri Lanka says sharing a room with two other Sri Lankan students, his monthly expenses amount to 30,000 yen, which is quite alright as he makes around 60,000 yen from his part-time job at Macdonald's. 'We can get by if we don't convert the prices marked on the goods at the super market into rupees. If we do, we feel wow! this is too much. But if we forget how much it will cost back in Sri Lanka we are ok'.

All of them agree that life in Beppu is 'cool'. After graduation they will work in Japan because the University will find them jobs. When will they come back to Sri Lanka? 'Not just yet' grins Achini. "The whole world is out there, waiting to be conquered".

This is surely the spirit dominant at APU, with its international and intellectual atmosphere. The spirit of being unconventional, the spirit of accepting challenges, the spirit of those who, to quote President Monte Cassim, 'possess a burning desire to take part in the shaping of the 21st Century'.

(The writer was on a media familiarization tour in Japan, last week.)

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