About Toyo University NEWS
Pick up the latest spotlight information about Toyo University
NEWS 01
Visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan for a Signing Ceremony of the Academic Exchange Agreement with Silk Road International University of Tourism
On September 23, 2022, a delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Aziz Abdukhakimov visited Toyo University, and a signing ceremony for the academic exchange agreement between two universities was held.
The Deputy Prime Minister Abdukhakimov also serves as the Rector of the Silk Road International University, which was founded in 2018. The university aims to cultivate English-speaking professionals for the tourism industry, that are high in demand in Uzbekistan, where the number of tourists has increased in recent years. The university specializes in tourism and has three departments: Tourism Management; Tourism Services; Tourism Education and Social Welfare. The partnership between the two universities is expected to develop further in the future as there is a high affinity between the areas of expertise.
Ten members of the Uzbek delegation attended the signing ceremony along with the representatives from Toyo University--- Chancellor Fukukawa, Executive Trustee Kaneko, Toyo University President, Dr. Yaguchi, Vice President for International Affairs, Prof. Takahashi, Dean of the Faculty of Letters, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dean of the Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, Dr. Aramaki and Director Negishi of the International Affairs Office. After the signing of the Agreement was completed, His Excellency Abdukhakimov introduced the Silk Road University’s Program to host international students from silk road countries—a first kind in Uzbekistan, and research facilities and programs focused on specializing in silk road culture.
NEWS 02
Agreement on Coordination and Cooperation for the Donald Keene Collection Organization and Research Project
On July 14, 2022, Toyo University, Kita Ward, and the Donald Keene Memorial Foundation concluded an agreement on coordination and cooperation for the Donald Keene Collection Organization and Research Project. The late Donald Keene (1922-2019) was an academic advisor to Toyo University, an honorary doctor, and a leading researcher of Japanese literature and culture. Throughout his life, he spread the appeal of Japan to the world. Keene built a house in Nishigahara, Kita Ward, Tokyo, where we wrote numerous books. He lived in Kita Ward until the end of his life and was made an honorary ward resident. The project was started to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Donald Keene’s birth. Through organizing and researching the approximately 7000 books left behind by Keene, a catalog of books will be created in honor of Keene’s achievements that will serve as fundamental research material in the study of Donald Keene and Japanese literature and culture. This will then be connected to future research developments. At Toyo University, under the supervision of Professor Hitoshi Ishida of the Department of International Culture and Communication Studies, Faculty of Letters, 29 students and graduate students were chosen from 106 applicants to participate in the project. These students will take the lead in organizing Keene’s collection and conducting research from AY2022 to AY2023.
 |
 Arranging the collection |
NEWS 03
Award Ceremony for AY2021 Toyo University Award for Excellent Educational Activities Held
On July 22, 2022, Toyo University held an online award ceremony for the AY2021 Toyo University Award for Excellent Educational Activities. The Award for Excellent Educational Activities is a system that recognizes full-time faculty members who have given students a significant educational impact in classes and educational programs implemented at Toyo University. It also aims to promote outstanding initiatives throughout the university. Toyo University awarded 16 groups and 37 teachers for educational activities in AY2021. When granting the awards, President Etsuko Yaguchi commented, "In AY2021, classes were forced to be held under the challenging conditions under the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, faculty members implement educational practices to allow students to acquire solid knowledge, accumulate deep insights, and independently develop their learning. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and congratulations.”
| ■ AY2021 Excellent Educational Activities Award winners (16 groups, 37 people) |
 |
| Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Letters Hideo Kawamoto Philosophy and Science A |
| Department of English and American Literature, Faculty of Letters Naotoshi Furuta Seminar on English Language IIIA/B |
| Department of History, Faculty of Letters Kei Takahashi Introduction to History |
| Department of Education, Faculty of Letters Hirokata Ooe / Satoko Takano / Toshio Ogata Seminar on Education II (Inc. Comprehensive Seminar)/ III/ Practical Training in Special Schools I/ II : Planning and Operation of the Gathering for the Alternating Teaching Practicum for Special Needs Education and Toyo University Special Needs Education |
| Department of International Culture and Communication Studies, Faculty of Letters Miki Takeuchi ICT and AI-based online classes and education : Pioneering Classroom Practice in the DX/Global Era |
| Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics Takashi Sato / Shunsuke Kodama / Takaaki Hamada / Shunsuke Sunami / Noriko Mizutani / Hiroko Kondo / Takashi Sawaguchi / Koshi Nishimura Seminar IA : Practice of freshman Active Learning Using "Takunaru" |
| Department of Law, Faculty of Law Hironori Tanigama All-Campus Interdisciplinary Studies L/M(Olympic and Paralympic Games) |
| Department of Law, Faculty of Law Department of Business Law, Faculty of Law Toyomi Takahashi /Keiko Muromatsu / Keiko Naruoka / Megumi Yoshida / James Daniel Short / Green Harold Steven / Ward Francis Aaron Global Leader Fostering Program, Faculty of Law |
| Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering Hisao Morimoto / Satoko Yamakawa / Sho Yokota / Takashi Yokota / Yoshihiro Kubota / Kazuaki Yamada Introduction to Mechanical Engineering 1 |
| Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering Xu Jiawei Introduction to applied chemistry |
| Department of Regional Development Studies, Faculty of Global and Regional Studies Kenmei Tsubota / Kyoko Nakamura Joint classes with overseas universities and other institutions for undergraduate lectures using online technology |
| Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences Teruaki Hasegawa Introduction to Hazardous Material Management |
| Department of Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences Li Qintong Practical Basic Biology |
| Department of Human Care and Support , Faculty of Human Life Design Hirotsugu Shimazaki Pedagogy of Early Childhood Education and Care; Health |
| Department of Information Sciences and Arts, Faculty of Information Sciences and Arts Fan Ziran Faculty of Information Sciences and Arts SGU room Operational Projects and Undergraduate Globalization Promotion Projects |
| Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Faculty of Food and Nutritional Sciences Yuichi Miyakoshi Anatomy and Physiology/Experiments in Anatomy and Physiology |
Please see the below URL for a list of the awarded educational activities.(English unavailable)
https://www.toyo.ac.jp/academics/improve/attempt/classes/award/#anc05
NEWS 04
AI-House HUB-4 Wins the 2022 Good Design Award
AI-House HUB-4, one of Toyo’s international residences that was designed by Ishimoto Architectural & Engineering Firm, Inc. and built in the Akabanedai Campus in January 2022, won the 2022 Good Design Award sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.
AI-House HUB-4 is a residence where domestic and international students live together. While all student rooms are private, there are many shared spaces in the residence designed to promote interaction and communication between residents. The judges commented, “In many cases, the exterior of dormitory buildings tends to appear hard or inorganic as the result of floor plans that feature several dormitory rooms lined up in a row. However, the AI-House HUB-4 takes advantage of elevation on its site that helps create softness and flexibleness in shapes and spaces. This contributes to create a relaxing environment that facilitates rich interactions among residents in their daily lives.”
| The Good Design Award has been Japan's sole comprehensive design evaluation and commendation system since 1957, with participation from companies and designers from Japan and overseas. Over 50,000 awards have been given out to date. The Good Design Award aims to not only compete for beauty of designs but also discover and promote design from various fields in our daily lives that contribute to industrial development and quality of living. |
Photo：株式会社川澄・小林研二写真事務所 船来洋志/ 三井笑奈/ 日吉祥太
NEWS 05
A Special Lecture to Commemorate Toyo University’s 135th Anniversary was Held at Rinshō-in Temple, the Birthplace of Toyo University
On September 16, 2022, Toyo University celebrated its 135th anniversary. In 1887, Enryo Inoue founded the Tetsugakukan, the predecessor organization of Toyo University. The Testugakukan’s opening ceremony was held on September 16 that year at the Rinshō-in in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward. Subsequently, the classes of the Tetsugakukan were held in a room rented from the Rinshō-in. The university was renamed Tetsugakukan University in 1903 and Toyo University in 1920 and has now developed into a multidisciplinary university. On the day of Toyo University’s founding at the Rinshō-in, which can be said to be the cornerstone of Toyo University, a special 90-minute lecture was held titled “Learning about Toyo University’s Birthplace Rinshō-in and Enryo Inoue.” Forty people attended the lecture, including Toyo University students and members of the general public. Professor Emeritus Makio Takemura, former president of the university, gave a lecture on the life of Enryo Inoue, who was passionate about providing philosophical education to all Japanese people, and his connection with Rinshō-in. Also, the chief priest of Rinshō-in spoke about the history of the Rinshō-in and held a zazen experience session.
●Latest Information on Books about Enryo Inoue Published by Authors Affiliated with Toyo University
 |
"Inoue Enryo: Buddhist Thought" Author: Professor Emeritus Makio Takemura, Former President of Toyo University Publisher: Seidosha Release date: August 26, 2022 |
 |
"Enryo Inoue, the Man Who Spread Philosophy to the Japanese People" Author: Professor Emeritus Setsuo Miura Publisher: Kyoiku Hyoron Sha Release date: September 30, 2022 |
●The Tetsugakudo Festival to Ponder Philosophy and Pass on the Spirt of Enryo Inoue, the Founder of Toyo University
|
The AY2022 Tetsugakudo Festival was held on November 5, 2022, at the Renge-ji Temple and Tetsugakudo Park in Nakano Ward, Tokyo. The Tetsugakudo Festival is held on the first Saturday of November every year, based on the last will and testament of Enryo Inoue, the founder of Toyo University, who hoped for the popularization of philosophy. |
 |
NEWS 06
Various Programs to Deepen our Understanding of the SDGs were Held at the AY2022 TOYO SDGs Weeks
Toyo University established the Toyo University Incorporated Educational Institution Charter of Conduct for SDGs in June 2021 and aims to promote SDGs activities multilaterally. The TOYO SDGs Weeks are held at Toyo University to cultivate an SDGs movement on campus and foster people who act proactively for the earth's future. AY2022 was the second time we had the TOYO SDGs Weeks. We intensively implemented programs related to the SDGs for around one month, from October 10 to November 6, 2022.
On October 13, a special pre-screening of the movie “The Cherry-Colored Wind Blooms” was held with executive producer Takafumi Yuki, director Junpei Matsumoto, and actor Taketo Tanaka attending. On October 22, an online symposium was held to commemorate the establishment of the Toyo University SDGs Center. In addition to lectures by instructors and specialists, current SDGs ambassadors and students from the affiliated high schools reported on their activities.
■ List of programs conducted at the AY2022 TOYO SDGs Weeks
Symposiums
Symposium to Commemorate the Establishment of the Toyo University SDGs Center
“SDGs & Carbon Neutrality: What I can do Now”
・Toyo SDGs Green Forum 2022
Courses
・Open class: “Let’s Learn About Children Living with Foster Parents”
・Cutting-Edge Agricultural Technology to Pave the Way for Sustainable Food Production
Library Exhibits
・Studying SDGs at the library “Foreign Species and Sustainability”
Workshops
・ SDGs VTuber Kirameki Hiiro's SDGs Quiz Show
・TGL Camp “SDGs Card Game”
Contests
・2nd TUEP Toyo University Eco Projects
・2022 Toyo University SDGs Contest
| ■ Symposium to Commemorate the Establishment of the Toyo University SDGs Center | |
 The panel discussion was attended by specialists, Toyo University faculty and students (SDGs ambassadors), and students and teachers from Toyo University Himeji Senior High School. |
|
■ Pre-screening of “The Cherry-Colored Wind Blooms”
■ Events organized by SDGs Ambassadors
NEWS 07
TOYO-PASS Pilot Project for Displaying Student Information Using the Toyo University Official App Began in October
Toyo University Official App, which has been in use since April 2022, as of November, is being used by over 90% of students. It has become an indispensable tool for students to have a fulfilling campus life. Version 2.0, which was released in September, features multilingual announcement information (11 languages), displays items in order of importance so that users do not miss important announcements, My Journey, a function that encourages students to self-reflect, and TOYO-PASS, a function that displays student information digitally. Since October, we have begun pilot projects using TOYO-PASS to verify students’ identities on campus. The introduction of TOYO-PASS does not mean that we will immediately discontinue the current use of card-type student ID. However, while keeping an eye on future trends in authentication using digital IDs, we believe that it is necessary to identify the issues related to identity verification using digital technology with a view to digitizing student ID cards. Digital student ID cards will improve student convenience, allowing for smoother applications and procedures and promoting data use, including transaction history and entry records. As overseas and some domestic universities have begun to introduce digital student ID cards and supporting infrastructure, Toyo University is working to respond to the rapid progress in the digitization of identity verification and the transfer away from card-type student ID cards.
 |
TOYO-PASS A 2D code display function is included in the latest version of the official Toyo University app. Student information can be confirmed by scanning this 2D code with a dedicated scanner. With TOYO-PASS, we aim to streamline identity verification and attendance records. ◆ When TOYO-PASS will be used ・Presented to faculty and staff for identity confirmation when entering campus or at on-campus offices ・Record attendance by scanning the 2D code at on-campus events ◆ Implementation period October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 (planned) |
NEWS 08
Hakusan Campus’ 25th Homecoming Day and Homecoming Day in Kawagoe at the Kawagoe Campus
The Homecoming Day in Kawagoe was held on October 29, 2022, at Kawagoe Campus. The event included alumni reunions at each department, a lecture by Professor Hiroyasu Tsuchie of the Faculty of Law, director of the Enhancement Committee at the Japan Association of Athletics Federation and head coach of the Toyo University Track and Field Club titled "Sprinting Towards Gold Medals at the Paris Olympics," and a campus tour. The Hakusan Campus’ 25th Homecoming Day was held in person for the first time in three years on the following day. Ryota Murata gave a special lecture, a graduate of the Faculty of Business Administration and a middleweight gold medalist in boxing at the London Olympics, an SDGs lecture titled “TOYO SDGs Students Project” was given, legends of the Baseball club held a three-way discussion (video screening). The events were streamed live so that people who live far away could watch the proceedings. In addition to the above, various projects were held, including a coffee course by alumni and chairman of Saza Coffee Yoshio Suzuki, English conversation classes for children, an exhibition of nationwide products by the alumni association, and a photo exhibition featuring memories of the Hakusan Campus. Also, at the Global Café, the first 500 people to arrive were given a free “Enryo Inoue Coffee Story,” a coffee jointly developed with Saza Coffee. The homecoming day ended with an online reunion, and all in all, the Homecoming Day was one where participants could enjoy various exchanges, such as reuniting with their college friends.
 Professor Tsuchie and Assistant Professor Kai Kobayashi (Faculty of Information Sciences and Arts) demonstrating the baton pass |
 Special Lecture by Ryota Murata |