November 24th, 2023
The full version of the tour of the Mukogawa Women's University campus is now available.
The full version of "Touring the Mukogawa Women's University Campus," a video introducing the Mukogawa Women's University campus, has been completed and is now available on the official Public Relations Department's YouTube channel. With the addition of the U.S. branch campus, which is not included in the short version, the video provides a more realistic picture of the entirety of the University, which spans both Japan and the United States.
Four campuses are condensed into a 2-minute video. The speed of the video is so fast that it is almost like riding on an attraction.
After a bird's-eye view of the central campus from above, the camera moves into the Koei Memorial Hall. The camera moves up and down the atrium space, showing classes and students studying on their own. In the central library, the camera zooms in on students heading to the library café and searching for books on the shelves. In the School Education Building, students chatting on the terrace and studying on their own in the commons can be seen.
At the Hama-Koshien campus, white coats are reflected in the bright light spilling through the glass walls, and at the Kami-Koshien campus, the Koshien Kaikan is a stunning architectural beauty.
The sunset on the Kami-Koshien campus is replaced by a sweeping view of the United States. The season of this magnificent campus nestled along the Spokane River is spring. Brick-colored buildings can be seen between the greenery and flowers, and the students are looking relaxed.
We created this image to convey the real image of our blessed campus to those who have never seen the University in person. The full version can also be viewed by clicking on the top of the home page.
November 22nd, 2023
The Chorus Club won the Gold Prize at the 78th Kansai Chorus Competition.
The University's Chorus Club was awarded 1st Place at the 78th Kansai Chorus Competition held in Itami City on October 8th.
Thirty-four students from the chorus club participated in the University Youth Division, Group category for the first time in four years, and performed two of the assigned pieces, "Street Lights" and "One Hundred Years Later".
Naoko Okamoto, professor of the School of Music, conducted and Hideko Tada, associate professor of the School of Music, played the piano; they received high praise from the five judges and were awarded the top prize.
November 21st, 2023
Three members of the dance club performed in a show with students from New York University.
Three members of the Mukogawa Women's University Dance Club (2nd year students of the Department of Health and Sports Science, Maho Ito, Waka Okitsu, and Sakura Shirahase) performed in the "2023 Distinguished Faculty Dance Concert" that opened at the Frederick Loewe Theatre in the heart of Manhattan, USA, on November 17th and 18th.
The three dancers performed in "Apart/ A part" by Professor Deborah Damasto. Returning to the primal foundations of dance, the three performed a piece that expressed the isolation and tragedy that exist on a daily basis, even as human culture is built through community support.
Ms. Ito, captain of the dance club, who performed in the piece, said, "It was a valuable experience to dance with such wonderful people who welcomed us from Japan with open arms. Every day for two weeks was exciting and we had a wonderful time. I will use this experience in my future club activities and school life. Lecturer Junko Toyonaga, who led the group, commented, "Seeing how the three participants connected with the dancers and the audience at every rehearsal and how much they moved the audience at the performance, I realized again that dance is an irreplaceable tool that transcends and connects all kinds of things. I would especially like to thank Dr. Deborah, the NYU staff, and everyone who supported us for giving us this opportunity and making it such a wonderful experience."
November 21st, 2023
Students of the Graduate School of Architecture conducted an overseas practical training for conservation and restoration in Turkey.
Based on a general exchange agreement with Bahçeşehir University in Turkey, a total of seven second-year master's students of the Graduate School of Architecture (Department of Architecture / Landscape Architecture) spent 2 weeks from October 29th to November 11th in Turkey as part of their overseas conservation and restoration training.
In Turkey, they visited more than 20 places, including palaces, mosques, and other historical buildings, as well as conservation and restoration sites. They also made sketches and deepened their knowledge of architecture. They also visited Bahçeşehir University and paid a courtesy visit the Chancellor and the Dean.
On the last day, the students exhibited their sketches in the university as a result of the training. After the class, the students went on a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait on the university's cruise ship and ate kebabs, a traditional Turkish dish, for lunch, interacting with both local faculty and students.
Ms. Yui Nakatani, a second-year master's student in the Landscape Architecture Major, said, "I have wanted to visit Turkey for some time, so I was delighted to be able to participate in this training program. It was a fulfilling training program, as I visited many traditional architectures that have different structure from those in Japan."
November 20th, 2023
Students presented their results at the report meeting of Social Work Practicum I & II and Mental Health and Welfare Assistance Practicum.
The "2023 Practicum Report Meeting" was held on November 11th to summarize the Social Work Practicum I and II and Mental Health and Welfare Assistance Practicum, at which third- and fourth-year students studying in the Department of Social Welfare presented the results of their practical training. Approximately 200 2nd to 4th year students studying the course participated in the event. Many people who had guided and assisted the students in their practical training attended online and in person, and watched the students' presentations.
At the session, following opening remarks by Professor Kuraishi, Head of the Department of Social Welfare, students presented the results of their "Social Work Practicum I & II and Mental Health and Welfare Assistance Practicum". Using a PowerPoint presentation prepared in cooperation with each field, the students summarized their training, touching on such learning topics as "the importance of individualization and how to reflect this in support," "the significance of multidisciplinary cooperation and its relevance to community building," and "the values and expertise that one should possess as a social worker.”
After the report, the supervisor praised the students, commenting, "I can visibly see the results of their learning as they were able to verbalize what they had learned," and "I expect them to grow further by making use of what they learned in the training.”
The junior students who will go to the next year's practical training also listened attentively to the report, and commented, "I now understand what the older students experienced during their practical training," and "I am looking forward to the next year's practical training."
November 18th, 2023
Professor Tetsuya Kuraishi, Head of the Department of Social Welfare, School of Psychology and Social Welfare, received the Nishinomiya City Community Development Award
The Nishinomiya City Community Development Award (sponsored by Nishinomiya City) was presented to Professor Kuraishi, head of the Department of Social Welfare, School of Psychology and Social Welfare, at a presentation ceremony held at Nishinomiya City Hall on March 16th. The award is presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of Nishinomiya City's infrastructure, education, culture, welfare, and other fields, with the aim of creating a vibrant and prosperous city. This year, four honorees, including Professor Kuraishi, were selected for the award.
Professor Kuraishi received the award in recognition of his contributions to the development of the city's child and child care support measures, including serving as a member of the Nishinomiya City Child Care Council, as well as providing training for child care workers and advice on how to respond to child maltreatment and other cases over the years. The award was given in recognition of his contributions to the development of the city's child and support policies, including training for childcare workers and advice on responding to child abuse cases.
In his address, Mayor Ishii of Nishinomiya City said, "On behalf of the city's 480,000 citizens, I would like to express my gratitude to the recipients for their tremendous contributions. Nishinomiya has received high recognition from both within and outside the city as a city where people want to live and continue to do so, and has continued to develop as a core city in the Hanshin area. We will continue our efforts to develop Nishinomiya as an educational and residential city."
Professor Kuraishi commented on the award, "I believe that this award is due to the cooperation of everyone who has been working on childcare support measures for nearly 20 years. I would like to continue to be involved in the development of Nishinomiya City in relation to my efforts at the university."