From the Director of the Global Initiative Center
WATANABE Takako, Director, Gunma University Global Initiative CenterModern society is facing an unpredictable and unstable environment known as VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity). Amidst these conditions, multiculturalism is progressing within Japan, with a continuous increase in the number of children with foreign roots, young technical trainees from other countries, and international students. In response, universities bear the responsibility of nurturing individuals with a global mindset who can thrive both domestically and internationally.
Gunma University has been strengthening its efforts to cultivate global talent while improving its educational system to adapt to the rapid changes in international society. Initially, in 1999, the university established the “International Student Center” to enhance its capacity to accommodate international students. This center was later renamed the “International Education and Research Center” and subsequently changed to the “International Center,” expanding its focus beyond receiving international students to also support Japanese students in studying abroad. In 2023, the center was reorganized as the “Global Initiative Center,” incorporating the Foreign Language Education Division and the Global Frontier Leader (GFL) program. In collaboration with the International Office, this center actively promotes global education and internationalization initiatives.
The qualities required for global talent include not only the ability to communicate one’s thoughts logically in foreign languages such as English but also the ability to collaborate with individuals from diverse social and cultural backgrounds to solve challenges proactively. The development of these qualities requires nurturing non-cognitive abilities, which are emphasized by international organizations such as the OECD and qualities required for global talent include not only the ability to communicate one’s thoughts logically in foreign languages such as English but also the ability to collaborate with individuals from diverse social and cultural backgrounds to solve challenges proactively. The development of these qualities requires nurturing non-cognitive abilities, which are emphasized by international organizations such as the OECD and Japan’s Ministry of Education. These abilities include self-directed learning, empathy and consideration for others, teamwork, adaptability, and resilience. These skills are difficult to measure quantitatively and cannot be adequately captured by traditional academic evaluation metrics. Gunma University provides education based on Project-Based Learning (PBL), particularly through liberal arts English courses to foster these essential competencies.
Furthermore, promoting the acceptance of international students is a crucial mission for the Global Initiative Center in advancing Gunma University’s development. The center aims to create a safe and supportive environment where international students can adapt to Japanese society, respect their identities, and learn Japanese language and culture comfortably.
Additionally, the university is dedicated to creating opportunities for Japanese and international students to learn from each other. Efforts include expanding English-mediated courses and establishing online collaborations with partner universities abroad. These initiatives encourage international academic exchanges and strengthen collaboration among students from diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering individuals with a global perspective.
Through close collaboration with various faculties and related departments, the Global Initiative Center is committed to enhancing global human resource development and advancing the university’s internationalization initiatives. The faculty and staff work together as a unified team to meet the evolving demands of the era.
