November 13th, 2024

A “Pre-conception Care Seminar” was held on October 23 at the Central Campus to discuss how to prepare for future pregnancy, childbirth, and to also consider about the health and well-being. Organized by the Research Institute for Women's Career Advancement and Gender Equality Development, the seminar was attended by graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and staff.

The University has been selected as a recipient of the FY2023 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Grant-in-Aid for Human Resource Development in Science and Technology, Diversity Research Environment Initiative (Female Leader Development Type), and is focusing on fostering and supporting female researchers.

Ms. Ikuko Nagahara, a midwife and representative of the public interest incorporated association “Little Door of Life,” served as the lecturer. She explained what people should know now about pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive knowledge in order to plan for the future. This followed by group work, and discussions with Ms. Nagahara and Hyogo Prefecture officials.

 A student who participated in the seminar commented, “I had never heard of pre-conception care before, but the easy-to-understand explanation helped me gain a better appreciation on the topic. It was a good opportunity for me to look at my life, so that I can self-reflect and collect my thoughts”.

November 11th, 2024

Eight students from the Department of Education conducted educational fieldwork in Busan, Korea from October 29 to November 4. The students had the opportunity to interact with students studying Japanese at Busan University of Foreign Languages and exchange views on the educational conditions in Japan and Korea with local university students who were in the midst of their educational training at the Osaka Electronics and Communication High School. At the Busan Japanese School, the students received a lecture from Principal Narihisa Uehara on the state of education at Japanese schools overseas, and observed the unique such as its multi-level classrooms and other features of the small school, which are rare in Japan. The students were eager to learn more about international education, asking questions to Principal Uehara one after another.

Ms. Shino Murakami, a fourth-year student in the Department of Education, said, “During this visit, I observed how people who study Japanese as a second language learn it. I realized once again that when learning a language, it is important not only to have input but also to actually use the relevant output. It was a valuable experience for me to be able to interact with students and students studying Japanese at foreign language universities and high schools. I also have very fond memories of the students from the University of Foreign Languages showing me around Busan on the weekends and getting to know the city and the students better too. I have obtained licenses for elementary and junior high school and will start working as an elementary school teacher in the spring. I will use what I learned in Busan to benefit school education in the future.”

Professor Atsushi Mori of the Department of Education, who accompanied the students for the entire trip, said, “Through this experience, the students were able to learn the value of foreign language education beyond English alone, and how important it is to actually see and feel educational sites outside of Japan with their own eyes." Katsuya Kitaguchi, Dean of the School of Education, who accompanied the students during the first three days, said, “The lively expressions and positive actions of the participating students embodied the MUKOGAWA COMPASS philosophy of 'Take Initiative.' We hope to be a university that can provide many learning experiences."

November 5th, 2024

Students of the Department of Innovative Food Sciences who visited Bahçecihir University in Turkey as part of a short-term overseas training program have returned after completing the two-week program.

The students took classes on Turkish cuisine and food culture at Bahçecihir University, and cooked Turkish specialties with local students in the university's cooking lab. They also deepened exchanges with students at Bahçecihir University by making Japanese food and folding origami.

They also had the opportunity to visit Japanese government agencies and NGOs in Turkey. At a restaurant in Istanbul that has been serving Japanese food for more than 30 years, the Japanese owner/chef shared their experiences in which helped to broaden perspectives of the students listening. 

October, 31st 2024

The “Naruo Fureai Event 2024” (sponsored by the Naruo Area Management Liaison Group) was held on October 27 around the plaza in front of the Hanshin Railway Naruo/Mukogawa Women's University Station, and attracted a large crowd.

The event was the third of its kind since it started in fiscal year 2022. The Student Executive Committee, which is in charge of planning and operation, consists mainly of students from Mukogawa Women's University, together with students from Kwansei Gakuin University, Sonoda Gakuen Women's University, Otemae University, and Wakayama University, who participated in response to an invitation from Mukogawa Women's University.

At the main venue, the plaza in front of the station, the Mukogawa Women's University Broadcasting Club followed by the calligraphy and dance clubs, a brass band and live band put on performances, as well as a Halloween costume event, adding to the festive atmosphere. In addition, children from kindergarten to junior high school participated in the “Wakuwaku‼ Halloween Challenge” in the lecture room of the Mukojo Station Campus, where they enjoyed games and wall art.

October 25th, 2024

The Kusaka-Fosseen Distinguished Professorship Exchange program, which has welcomed its 23rd exchange, with Professor Gina Petrie of Eastern Washington University (EWU) giving a public lecture on October 6th in the University's Multimedia Hall.

On October 25, a public lecture entitled “Education in Emergencies: Materials and Support for Learning Expectations” was held in the Media Hall of the Kusaka Memorial Multimedia Hall, with Professor Gina Petrie, Director of English Education and Global Student Support at Eastern Washington University.

Professor Petrie explored the role of schools and education in a world where about one-third of the world's children, are currently under a state of emergency, forced to migrate, and half of them are out of school. She explained that the important point is to restore normalcy, restore regularity, provide healing in times of crisis, and give hope for the future, by attending to students and helping to heal emotional wounds such as mental fatigue and anger.

October 26th, 2024

The “Oh well, it's okay Cafe (Dementia Cafe)” initiative, held at Lavy's Café on March 17, 2024, was broadcast on October 13 in ARD Deutsche Welle's “Weltspiegel,” a report by an overseas correspondent of ARD Deutsche Television.

The “Oh well, it’s okay Cafe” is a cafe event where people with dementia serve customers. It is an initiative to send a message about a society where people with disabilities, such as dementia, can live with peace of mind. The event has been held five times at Lavy's Café, and the fourth event was broadcast. Students and faculty from the University's School of Nursing also participate as volunteers.

Professor Atsuko Tokushige of the School of Nursing said, “Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, was named after the German doctor who discovered it. It is very moving to see that the “Oh well, it's okay Cafe” has been featured in Germany. We will continue our efforts to further disseminate information.