Selected under the Top Global University Projects (Type B: Global Traction Type) of MEXT in 2014, Toyo University has been promoting internationalization as a leading university in globalizing Japan under the concept “TOYO GLOBAL DIAMONDS: Becoming an Asian hub university for global leaders.” In the interim evaluation for FY 2017, we received an A-rating out of the five comprehensive evaluations (S, A, B, C and D), in recognition of our having achieved the target values for many indicators including the percentage of foreign students out of all Toyo University students and the foreign language proficiency of the students, as well as other unique initiatives such as setting up sustainable mechanisms. In particular, as an attempt to develop and continue this initiative, great expectation was expressed for the establishment of a business corporation named “Toyo University Global Service,” which will engage in providing English-language education to a wide range of generations, and the accomplishment of its philosophy. Going forward, we will continue to promote the reform of university and internationalization as set forth in the aforementioned concept in our uniformed efforts, thus aiming to become an internationally recognized university.

MEXT’s Career Development Program for Foreign Students in Japan is a project aimed at contributing to the enhancement of job-searching capability of foreign students by improving the comprehensive environment from Japanese language education and career-planning education to internship experiences so that more and more foreign students can find employment in Japanese companies. As one of the action plans of the above-mentioned Career Development Program, the concept of the “International Student I-Turn Employment Promotion Program” of Toyo University was adopted. This program aims to promote “I-Turn Employment,” which refers to bilateral efforts to connect foreign students in Tokyo with rural companies facing a shortage of workers, and at the same time providing foreign students in rural cities with employment opportunities in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. In collaboration with Shimane University and Kanazawa Seiryo University, Toyo University has provided matching opportunities for foreign students and rural excellent companies through inspection tours to rural cities and work experience at rural companies. Furthermore, we will strive to raise the employment rate of foreign students in Japan through the opening of a business Japanese language course and other online study courses.

Toyo University places a great emphasis on the development of global human resources who will lead Japan in the future, by providing a wide range of study and training opportunities through the planning overseas training programs such as study abroad and internship that meet the diversifying needs and academic levels of students. With an increasing number of students demonstrating willingness to study abroad, Toyo University dispatched 2,146 students in AY 2017. Furthermore, many Toyo University students have participated in the “TOBITATE! (Leap for Tomorrow) Young Ambassador Program,” a public-private study abroad support initiative administered by MEXT. At the third briefing session on the achievements of the study abroad program held at Toyo University in September 2017, Ms. Hinako Ohno, then a third-year student in the Faculty of Letters, received an Award of Excellence after reporting the details of solutions to poverty issues by means of social business implemented during her study abroad period in the Philippines. To date, a total of 22 Toyo University students were selected in the first to eighth terms of this program, in which they gained study abroad experiences. Toyo University will continue to support students to gain more overseas experiences by enhancing our student dispatching program and study abroad scholarships as well as encouraging students to improve their foreign language proficiency.

As an AY 2017 event celebrating the opening of the Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, Toyo University invited His Excellency Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Counselor (Academic Research) to Toyo University Incorporated Educational Institution, and Honorary Advisor to the Asia PPP Institute, to a dialogue meeting held on June 5 with students of the Faculty of Global and Regional Studies and graduate students of the Course of Public/Private Partnership of the Graduate School of Economics. To a wide range of questions raised by students with respect to the economy, the environment, politics and culture, His Excellency replied individually and very kindly based on his own experience and knowledge. The closing message of the dialogue meeting, to the effect that we should seek international understanding and the solution of various problems through dialogue, rather than military power, provided us with various clues for considering not only challenges facing Malaysia and other countries of Southeast Asia but also international relationships and the ideal standing Japan should take in the future.