International Graduate Student Research at Ritsumeikan University ...

24
Vol.10 Issue 1
SPRING/SUMMER
2013
01
15
17
SPECIAL FEATURE
International Graduate Student Research
at Ritsumeikan University:
Striving to better our world through
research and innovation.
Topics
Student Voice

Ritsumeikan University currently has 486 graduate
level students from 42 different countries and regions
around the globe who make-up 16% of the graduate
school student population (as of May 1st, 2013). In terms
of student numbers, most students come from Japan’s close
neighbors in East Asia: China (236 students) and Korea
(46 students). However, the third largest number of international
students at the graduate school level comes from
Indonesia (31 students).
Although some of these international students do possess
the language skills to enter Japanese-based graduate programs,
there are many programs set up at Ritsumiekan for
those whose preferred language of study is English. English
based programs are available in the Graduate Schools of International
Relations, Policy Science, Economics, Technology
Management, Science and Engineering, Information Science
and Engineering, and Life Sciences. Please click here
(http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/html/admissions/degree.html/) to
visit the admissions page of the Ritsumeikan English website
for more information of English-based programs available.
For many of the potential students who are considering undertaking
graduate and post-graduate studies in Japan, financial
support of some kind is critical to their academic endeavors.
Ritsumeikan University works closely with institutions
like the World Bank and the Ministry of Education to provide
a variety of scholarship options. Furthermore, as of the academic
year 2013 Ritsumeikan has reinvented its own scholarship
program to offer 100% tuition reduction to 10 Doctoral
and 20 Master’s students. With these funds, students are
able to focus more on the results of their research and get a
lot more out of their time at Ritsumeikan. Please click here
(http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/html/admissions/financial.html/) to
visit the financial support page of the Ritsumeikan University
English website for further details.
Aside from various forms of financial aid, Ritsumeikan also
provides various types of student support. This support
ranges from medical and counseling services in both Japanese
and English, to English writing, Japanese language, and
other courses that are free for international students. These
courses are especially helpful for international students as
many of them are coming from countries where English
is not their mother tongue and Japanese language is not
generally taught in school. An international dorm is also
available for interested students. This dorm provides a safe
environment for students to carry out their research activities
and student life.
By having such a wide variety of students undertaking their
research at Ritsumeikan University the campus itself has
evolved into an international setting where it is hoped that
multicultural coexistence can be accepted as an everyday
environment. Through stimulating students’ campus life by
helping to develop their multicultural understanding and
foreign language communication skills it is hoped that a
transformation in the minds of the student body at large will
take place and the university will grow into a truly global
research university.
2
Special Feature
International Graduate Student Research
at Ritsumeikan University:
Striving to better our world through research and innovation.
In this growing age of globalization the traditional borders of education have been stripped away, and more than ever, students are
traveling away from their home countries to delve into research at the forefront of their respective fields. In a conscious effort to
create a truly multicultural campus, Ritsumeikan University has been accepting international students at both the undergraduate and
graduate levels for many years. In particular, Ritsumeikan has taken great steps to attract top research students at the graduate school
levels. These students come from the world over to carry out research that will not only benefit those in Japan, but will also be taken
back to their home countries and benefit the people of those communities as well.
RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY
NEWSLETTER
SPRING/SUMMER 2013
Cover Picture
The cover picture shows Ph.D student Md.
Mahmudul Hasan as he works on further
developing a simple to make and easy to use
ceramic filter that he hopes will one day help
those in need of safe and clean water around the
world over.
Order of Names
In this publication, the name order for
personal names preserves the original order
of the nationality in question. For example,
Japanese, Chinese, and Korean names are
presented in the surname/given name order,
while the given name/surname order is used
for people from Western countries.
The word ritsumei comes from a passage in the
Jinxin chapter of the Discourses of Mencius. This
passage states, ”Some die young, as some live
long lives. This is decided by fate. Therefore,
one’s duty consists of cultivating one’s
mind during this mortal span and thereby
establishing one’s destiny.” Thus, Ritsumeikan
means ”the place to establish one’s destiny.”
Organization of Ritsumeikan
The Ritsumeikan Trust is the legal entity that operates the entire
Ritsumeikan Academy, which is comprised of Ritsumeikan University,
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, and the affiliate secondary
schools. In this publication, ”Ritsumeikan” is used to refer to the
Ritsumeikan Academy, while RU and APU refer to Ritsumeikan
University and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, respectively.
Published by
Office of Public Relations,
Ritsumeikan University
Designed by
Delights, Inc.
*In this publication, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is referred to as the Ministry of Education.

Maharani Retna Duhita (Nana)
4
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Name Maharani Retna Duhita (Nana)
Country Indonesia
Faculty Graduate School of Life Sciences
Research Field Immuneuroendocrinology / Biomedical Science
Special Feature
Maharani Retna Duhita (or Nana, as she is known to her friends) is a 1st year Master’s student
in the Graduate School of Life Sciences and is currently investigating complex and yet undiscovered
relations between our immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. By bringing these
relations to light it is hoped that new cures and treatments for a variety of diseases will be
discovered.
Uncovering disease mechanics to discover
new therapies and cures.
Q
Please explain your research.
A My research area is about immunoneuroendocrinology,
so I want to know the close relation between
immune systems, endocrine systems, and nervous
systems. Previous studies showed that immune
receptors can not only be found in immune systems
but can also be found in endocrine and nervous systems,
and nervous and endocrine systems can also be
found in immune systems. Now, I work with insulin
hormones. I try to culture several immune cells and
measure the insulin level in those cultures. In the
future I want to study the leptin levels in those immune
cell cultures and understand the correlation
between insulin and leptin levels in immune systems.

Uncovering disease mechanics to discover
new therapies and cures.
Maharani Retna Duhita (Nana)
Why did you choose to focus your
Q research on this topic?
A In my opinion, if I can understand the whole
mechanism about immunoneuroendocrinology systems
in humans, it will be helpful in the future. By
activity. Not only in research activity, they also
What do you plan to do when you return
understanding this mechanism I could explain briefly
about the pathological mechanism of diseases and
They also study English with me. It was very nice Q Japan after completing your research
teach me Japanese language and Japanese culture.
home? Or do you plan on working in
hopefully I can discover the best therapeutic strategy
when I saw they can speak English fluently now.
here at Ritsumeikan?
for several diseases. It’s my dream since child-
hood to be useful for other people and help them to
What are some challenges you are facing
Q A I will take my Ph.D after I finish my Master’s
solve their problems. And this is my way to realize
everyone always gives me strong support to study
with your research
Degree at Ritsumeikan University. After completing
that dream.
here and do my own research. They always encourage
me if I have problems in my class or in my re-
university, set up my own laboratory, try challenging
my Ph.D I will go back to my country and teach in
Have you had any opportunities to
search activity. I am not sure I would have conditions
similar to Japan in Indonesia. Actually I think
my research area.
A My research activity is related with hormones,
and immune cells, so the most important
6
something new, and discover new things related with
5 present your research at RU/outside of
Q RU?
it would be totally different. In Indonesia, I would
thing is accuracy, because if small mistakes occur in
have to struggle with many problems that can inhibit
my study and research because many people don’t
one step, it will affect all the following steps and destroy
whole systems. Because I also work with cell
A Last semester, I presented my research in my
Ritsumeikan University, Graduate Project Class, in
front of the President of Ritsumeikan University, un-
understand the importance of research activities.
cultures, the challenges is to avoid any form of contamination.
On the other hand, the most difficult
dergraduate and graduate students, and also several
different companies. This was a great opportunity to
explain about my research in front of other people.
In the end of this 2nd semester, I plan to attend an
international conference outside Japan, which is related
to my research area.
How is carrying out this research at
Ritsumeikan different than if you were
Q back in Indonesia?
A I am very grateful I can take my Master’s
Degree and do my own research in Japan. In Japan,
How are the other Japanese/
international students assisting you with
Q your research?
A They are very helpful. They always assist
and help me when I have a problem in my research
thing in scientific research is to find something new,
because our research activity will be in vain if another
researcher has already published the same results
as research. That’s why I must check all the
literature and keywords for my research to see if they
are already published or not.
Special Feature
Special Feature

Robert Oliver Ladig
8
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Name Robert Oliver Ladig
Country Germany
Faculty Graduate School of Science and Engineering
Research Field Integrated Sensors and Image Analysis
Special Feature
Robert Oliver Ladig is a 1st year graduate student from Germany currently working on the
development of an autonomous flying robot, a so-called quadrotor. Although centered on “Integrated
Sensors and Image Analysis,” this research also extends through the study of flight
dynamics, computer programing, robotics and even the development and creation of components
through the use of state-of-the-art, in-lab 3D printers.
Developing autonomous flying robots for
search and rescue in disaster areas.
What is the focus of your research here
Q at Ritsumeikan University?
A Here at Ritsumeikan I am working on an indoor
navigation algorithm for flying robots. A current
hurdle with the use of flying robots is indoor flight. Although
outdoor navigation is rather simple through the
use of the Global Positioning System (GPS), once a robot
is moved indoors or other confined spaces it can no
longer utilize GPS or other tracking systems that rely
on satellite transmissions from space. There are many
approaches to solving the issues of indoor tracking for
robots, but my approach is to try and emulate how insects
navigate in confined spaces. This is why my first
prototype is called the “Ritsubachi” after the Japanese
for honey-bee (mitsubachi/ 蜜 蜂 ). At this stage in my
research, the current prototype is not very small, but
the basic navigation will be similar to how insects navigate
through confined spaces.

Developing autonomous flying robots for
search and rescue in disaster areas.
Robert Oliver Ladig
RITSUBACHI: This is the name given to the quadrotor pictured below.
Made up of two parts, the name is a combination of “Ritsumeikan”
and the word HACHI ( 蜂 ) which is Japanese for bee. As the
flight algorithm being developed for this quadrotor is based on insect
flight dynamics it would seem to be quite an appropriate name.
What is the main goal for your
Q Ritsubachi quadrotor?
A It is my hope that someday my developments
will be used in actual search and rescue missions and
that I may be able to contribute to the rescue of people
in need after a disaster has occurred. My flight algorithm
is being developed specifically for indoor navigation,
so if there is a need to navigate an unknown indoor
environment, this algorithm should be able to
really help people in trouble.
The main object is to use this in disaster
rescue, but how would this be utilized in
Q a real world situation?
Special Feature
A When there is a disaster and people are
trapped inside buildings under fallen objects, it is essential
to act as quickly as possible to rescue these
people. When I finish my project, you could deploy not
one, but several devices that could find a building and
go inside by GPS, then move in and switch to my indoor
navigation algorithm. From there the Ritsubachi
would make a structural map and find situations of interest:
For example, a person trapped in the building.
As the quadrotor is airborne, there should be less hindrance
inside the building (this is a big advantage over
ground-based robots which need to worry about rubble
and other debris) and thus return quickly so that rescue
teams may analyze the information and quickly
send help to those in need.
What are some of the new technologies
you have been able to utilize in your
Q project?
A There is a chip I am using called a Field Programmable
Gate Array (FPGA). What is special about a
FPGA is that you can basically design the chip to be any
kind of chip you want it to be. For example, the chip in
your computer can do many things like games, mathematics,
graphics, pretty much anything. FPGAs on the
other hand are very specific in use, so you program them
to do only one thing. But it does this one thing very, very
fast, and with low energy consumption costs.
Also, all the sensors I am using are quite high tech.
This project would not have been possible 10 years ago
as the sensors would have been impossible for anyone
(except the military) to afford. In this one quadrotor
alone there are three gyro sensors, three accelerometers,
a pressure sensor, a GPS, etc,. And even with
all these sensors it is still relatively inexpensive for my
research, or for organizations that would want to use it.
Right now this prototype would only cost about 50,000
yen. It is a very affordable system and that is why I hope
it will be utilized in many search and rescue missions in
the future.
Lastly, some parts I am using for my quadrotor are 3D
printed. This means I designed some parts myself, such
as the base the FPGA rests on, and then printed them
out with our 3D printer here in the lab. This is very
useful as you don’t have to order special parts or improvise
with parts you find in the lab. You can design a part
on the computer, test the stress levels before printing,
then print it and have a very nice (and inexpensive)
custom part to use.
Is this the final size you would like the
robot? How would you like to develop
Q this further?
A This is only a prototype size. At first it is very
convenient to build it this size as I can easily add new sensors,
etc., and not worry if it will be too heavy to fly or not.
Of course, the goal is to make it much smaller. When I am
finished testing and know the basic navigation algorithum
works my goal it to make it smaller, but that might be a
goal for my Ph.D, which I also hope to be able to carry out
at Ritsumeikan University.
What are some challenges you are
Q finding with your research?
A There are lots of challenges, but in particular one
thing I underestimated was flight dynamics. As a computer
engineer, I understand my computer, programing,
and engineering. But flight dynamics is quite new for me
so that has been quite a challenge since I started the project.
To overcome this I read a lot of books on helicopter
dynamics, which was actually a lot of fun as helicopters
were a big interest of mine as a child and I hope to one day
get my helicopter license when I have the opportunity. It
is a challenge but still enjoyable.
How has studying at Ritsumeikan and
not in Germany helped you with your
Q research?
A First of all I don’t think I would have been able to
do this kind of research in Germany. At Ritsumeikan I feel
I am given the opportunity to do a lot more than if I was
in Germany. Here I am able to do my own research project
on my own responsibility. Furthermore, when I need any
parts for my robot, I ask my professor and most of the time
I am able to integrate this part quickly in my project. This
is just not the case in Germany. In Germany, it is very hard
to get financing for your projects, especially if it is only a
graduate project. So I don’t think I could do my research
as I do here at Ritsumeikan. It gives me lots of opportunities
and freedom to do my research in Japan. Furthermore,
Japan is one of the few countries where my research can
not be exploited for military means, since the Japanese
people forever renounced war in their constitution. I am
putting in a lot of time and effort in my project, but I am
always getting something positive out of this work.
Special Feature
9 10

Md. Mahmudul Hasan
12
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Name Md. Mahmudul Hasan
Country Bangladesh
Faculty Graduate School of Science and Engineering
Research Field Water Treatment and Reuse
Special Feature
MD. Mahmudul Hasan has finished his Master’s Degree at Ritsumeikan University and is currently
in his 2nd year of his Ph.D program. He started his study at Ritsumeikan University
through his master’s course and then continued onto the doctoral course. Initially working on
the removal of arsenic from groundwater with the use of a simple and inexpensive ceramic filter,
he has expanded his research to include a wide variety of water sectors and one day hopes
to take these filters back to Bangladesh to help improve the quality of life for all of its people.
Providing clean water through the development
of innovative yet inexpensive ceramic filters.
What is the focus of your research into
Q the treatment of water?
A My research is focused on the development of
simple, innovative, inexpensive and effective technologies
for wastewater reclamation and reuse based on the
“3R” (reduce, reuse & recycle) principle. In our laboratory
we developed a simple ceramic filter made of clay soil
and rice bran (80:20 by weight) for the removal of arsenic
from groundwater. Outside of our lab, the ceramic filter
achieved high levels of arsenic removal over one full year
of operation in a rural area of Bangladesh. The successful
results of this trial pushed us to apply this simple and low
cost ceramic filter for wastewater reclamation.
From there, I investigated possible applications of this
simple ceramic filter with the membrane bioreactor
(MBR) process, rather than conventional membranes,
under two different filtration modes (gravitational and
suction) with different operational conditions through

Providing clean water through the development
of innovative yet inexpensive ceramic filters.
Md. Mahmudul Hasan
lab scale experiments. The successful results confirmed
that its application makes the MBR process cost-effective
and energy-efficient enough to effectively make use of the
water in Bangladesh, but when we switched to treating
wastewater we felt this size was too small, so we made the
filters longer, and also reshaped it as a flat-type filter.
and if this is successful, we will have three different sources
of water we are able to treat and reuse by using this
simple and low-cost ceramic filter. The next step is now
we work in groups of 5-6 people and share our work load.
In this way new students are able to work with senior students
in the lab and learn firsthand from their research
filter in developing countries. And now the application
proposing this technology in a commercial sense to help and acquired knowledge.
This filter is very easy to make with a very simple manufacturing
process. Rice bran and clay soil are two materi-
of this ceramic filter is being tested for the Wastewater
developing countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, and
Stabilization Ponds (WSPs) process to remove algae under
different operational factors through lab scale experi-
real problems.
Vietnam where a safe water supply and water scarcity are
als in abundance in Bangladesh, and are cheap as well.
When you finish here at RU will you
So, cheap, easy to obtain materials and a simple manufacturing
process are the keys to this project. To manufac-
Q return to Bangladesh?
ments.
Besides wastewater sectors, I am also looking at the treatment
of surface water, such as pond water in rural areas a filter breaks, it is very easy and cheap to replace. This Q present your work here in Japan? A Yes, of course. I would like to make use of my
ture one 10 cm by 10 cm filter, it costs less than $0.24. If
Have you had any opportunities to
of Bangladesh, using this ceramic filter. We already surveyed
our study area (Khulna, Bangladesh) at two dif-
be able to maintain, replace, and even produce by them-
is something that anyone in developing countries would
research in Bangladesh and do what I can to improve the
situation there. However, before moving back I would like
ferent times (dry season and wet season) to collect the selves, they don’t need to be highly skilled to do this kind
A Yes, I presented at the 4th International Water to work here in Japan for two or three years to gain working
pond data. After assessing the collected pond water data,
we will select the pond for the treatment and propose a
of work.
Association (IWA) conference in Tokyo. At that time I
presented our successful removal of arsenic from groundwater
experience and professional knowledge. Just experi-
mental knowledge is not enough, I need to understand
in Bangladesh and the findings from our one-year the real technologies being utilized in the field. Also, as I
design of a small treatment facility using the ceramic filter.
Finally, we have planned to construct the treatment
13
If there a large necessity for this kind of
14
field test with our filters in 15 households in Bangladesh. have been studying here in Japan for 5 years now, I fully
Q research?
facility in our research area and evaluate its sustainability.
understand the university environment, yet I do not understand
the Japanese working environment, but I need
this knowledge as well as I wish to move into the professional
world.
A Yes, of course! If I focus on developing countries,
especially my home country, Bangladesh, there is a large
Special Feature
Please explain how these ceramic filters
Q are made.
A As I said, this filter is made with rice bran and
clay soil which is from Bangladesh. This is because the soil
in Bangladesh has a much higher clay content and if we
use soil with too much sand, the filter will not harden
properly and it will become too brittle. To create a filter a
mold is made and shaped in a cylindrical shape with one
end closed. The first filters we made ended up small at 10
cm by 10 cm in dimension. These are then sun-dried for
one or two days, then placed in an oven at 105 ℃ for one
day, and then burnt at 900 ℃ for two hours. Initially,
these filters were designed to remove arsenic from ground-
problem with safe groundwater. Until about 1970, people
in Bangladesh utilized surface water, but at that time organizations
such as UNICEF and the UN recommended the
use of ground water because surface water can be contaminated
by a variety of pathogens. So, a huge amount of
wells were dug in Bangladesh over the next 20 years or so.
This has given access to safe water to 95% of the rural
households, but unfortunately, in the early 1990s, the well
water in Bangladesh was found to be highly contaminated
with arsenic (As) and now millions of people are consuming
arsenic-contaminated drinking water, which is very
toxic for the human body. So, since 1990, a large amount
of research has been carried out to figure out how to treat
the contaminated groundwater. Based on this initial problem,
we have developed our filter to remove the arsenic
from the drinking water. And from our successful results
we found that our filters could also be used for wastewater
treatment as well. So, once we solved the issue with arsenic
in the drinking water, we have now moved to the
treatment of wastewater and we again succeeded to apply
the filter in wastewater sectors. Now we have actually
started focusing on pond water (i.e. surface water) as well,
How are your professor and fellow
Q students helping you with your studies?
A Well, I have had the same professor since 2008
but I still feel there is a language barrier at times. Frankly
speaking, Japanese is very difficult for me. Actually, this
lab is very international with roughly 5-6 new international
students from several different countries joining
the lab each year. This makes our lab a very international
environment, more so than most labs on campus, but we
still face this challenge of the language barriers.
Saying that, through my courses and research I find that
my professors are very knowledgeable and have been able
to help me each step of the way. Also, my Japanese and international
lab partners are very helpful, as here in Japan
Also, there is already an NGO helping us in Bangladesh,
and we already got our patent for our arsenic removal
filter. Now we are waiting for its verification results by
the Bangladesh government. Once we get this we can go
through commercially to supply the low-cost filter to poor
rural people. Besides this, industry is growing in Bangladesh
so plants will need wastewater treatment facilities,
and now in Bangladesh and other developing countries
the demand is growing for low-cost decentralized or centralized
wastewater treatment facilities at the municipal
level, so if this cheap and innovative technology can help
them and thus the country at large, this is great!
Special Feature

T O P I C S
R i t s u m e i k a n U n i v e r s i t y
R i t s u m e i k a n A s i a P a c i f i c U n i v e r s i t y
RU
Japan Semester of the Campus Asia Program Starts!
APU
APU selected as Executive Trustee School of the Association
of Asia-Pacific Business Schools
From Tuesday, May 7th, students chosen from Ritsumeikan
University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
(China) and Dongseo University (Korea) started the second
semester (Japan) of the Campus Asia program which is being
held at Ritsumeikan’s Kinugasa Campus for the next
three months.
The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) College of International
Management (APM) and Graduate School of Management (GSM) have
been collectively selected as an Executive Trustee School at the Annual
Conference of the Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS),
an international association
dedicated to the
Kenji, attended the AAPBS Annual Conference and addressed the audience
following APU’s selection as an Executive Trustee School: “We are
honored to have this opportunity to develop greater links with such
globally renowned business schools. We look forward to contributing to
AAPBS by providing fellow members with Japanese and Asian business
case studies we have developed at GSM”.
To start the Japan semester of the Campus Asia program,
promotion of business
APU has been a member of AAPBS since 2008 and will begin its term as
the director of the program here in Japan, Professor Katsurajima
Nobuhiro (Dean, College of Letters) gave a short
in the Asia Pacific re-
education and research
an Executive Trustee School in January 2013. A total of 14 institutes in
10 different countries/regions serve as Executive Trustee Schools including
only two in Japan – Keio University and APU. As an Executive Trustee
opening speech to all the participating students. Professor
gion. This selection reflects
the recognition
Katsurajima stated that “with its rich 1,300 years of history,
School, APU will play an increasing role in the management of AAPBS
Kyoto is known as the cultural heart of Japan and is thus a
APU has received for
and the Annual Conferences.
perfect spot for everyone to study and absorb the culture
its international education
and history of East Asia. It can be said that the governmental
relations between our three countries are less than ideal at
systems and the
APU Graduate School
the moment, but I feel this program is a good step in fostering
cordial relations throughout East Asia in the near future.
students can study Japa-
of Management, where
The official Association of Asia Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS) website:
http://www.aapbs.org/
Please utilize the short time you have here and work with all
nese business entirely in
As the program gets in motion, students will participate in field work
your energy towards your goals.”
English.
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, College of International Management (APM)
to learn about Kyoto’s culture and history, while using history textbooks
15 Facts and Figures:
16
Following this, faculty and staff members of the Campus Asia program published by Yamakawa Shuppansha(Ltd.) to learn about modern history.
Furthermore, outside of class, students will also have the opportu-
International Manage-
Dean of the College of
http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/study/index.php?content_id=7
gave self-introductions, which were followed by a short guidance on
living in Japan. After the guidance, students were separated based on nity to participate in local festivals, to visit disaster-affected regions of
ment and Graduate Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Graduate School of Management (GSM)
their dormitory, where they will live for the next three months, and Japan, and participate in peace studies held at the Kyoto Museum for
School of Management, Facts and Figures:
dates were set for future housing guidance sessions.
World Peace, Ritsumeikan University.
Professor Yokoyama http://www.apu.ac.jp/graduate/page/content0046.html
TOPICS
TOPICS
RU
Memorial Signing Held to Enrich Japanese Education
in the United Arab Emirates
APU
APU welcomes 20 St Edward’s University Students
for the “Business in Japan” Study Program:
A Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) has been signed by representatives
of Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd. (“Cosmo Oil”), Abu Dhabi Oil Co.,
Ltd. (“ADOC”), a subsidiary of Cosmo Oil, and the Ritsumeikan Trust
(“Ritsumeikan”), on one hand and the representative of the Abu Dhabi
Education Council (“ADEC”) on the other hand, with the objectives of
(1) the expansion of the Japanese Language Teaching Program (“JLTP”)
in the Applied Technology High School (“ATHS”) Abu Dhabi premises
which started from September 2011, (2) the expansion of cooperation
in various areas such as receiving students from Abu Dhabi, and (3)
further discussing the conditions to receive students from Abu Dhabi.
Date
Place
Singers
May 1st, 2013
Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
H.E. Augheer Al Khaili, Director General, ADEC
Mr. Yukihiro Tanaka, Representative & General Manager, ADOC
Mr. Satoshi Matsui, General Manager, Cosmo Oil
Mr. Kiyofumi Kawaguchi, Chancellor of Ritsumeikan
Cosmo Oil, ADOC and Ritsumeikan commenced the “COSMO ADOC
Ritsumeikan Japanese Language Teaching Program(JLPT)” in September,
2011. Cosmo Oil and ADOC give financial support of the JLTP. Ritsumeikan
provides technical support for three Japanese teachers working in Abu
Dhabi, and also designs and supervises the curriculum of the program.
Under the JLTP, 48 students in Grade 10 and 11 at the ATHS currently
study the Japanese language. In 2012, 10 students came to Japan and
studied for a short term at the Ritsumeikan High School, and 24 students
studied at the Ritsumeikan Uji High School.
As the governments of both Japan and U.A.E. highly appreciate this program,
both sides pledged to further enhance the educational contribution
under the MOU, and that the children in the U.A.E. will have more
understanding of Japanese language and culture, as they will become
catalysts for excellent bilateral relationships in the future.
From Sunday, March 10, until Sunday, March 17, 2013, APU hosted 20
undergraduate students from St Edward’s University (Texas, USA) for the
“Business in Japan” study program. Involving business-related lectures
by APU faculty, industry inspection field trips, and cultural exchange.
This program was held as part of the Global Collaborative University
Education (GLUE) program between APU and SEU.
Staying at AP House 3, the students took part in ice-breaking games
organized by APU student buddies and a tour of the campus. Their buddies
also accompanied them on a tour of Beppu city including the famous
“Hells” hot-springs and a hot-spring steamed cooking experience.
On March 12 the group received a lecture by APM Professor Nakayama
Haruo on the subject of “Challenges Facing the Japanese Economy”
during which he described a wide range of issues including Japan’s aging
population, economic stagnation, recent movements in the Yen/Dollar
exchange rate and how this is impacting Japanese manufacturers.
With the main focus of the program centering on learning about Japanese
business, the group took part in an tour of the Nippon Steel and
Sumitomo Metal Corporation steel works (March 13), the AEON Park
Place Oita shopping complex (March 13) and also the Nissan Motors
Kyushu automobile plant (March 14).
The tour was not all about business though and the St Edward’s University
students also enjoyed the chance to try their hand at the Taiko Japanese
drum, ikebana flower arranging, and the Japanese tea ceremony.
Now in its second year, the Business in Japan program is held as part of
the GLUE program jointly offered by APU and St Edward’s University. The
next stage of the project involves APU domestic students scheduled to
enter APU in the spring semester travelling to St Edward’s University for
ACCESS, a short-term intensive culture and language study program.
GLUE has been adopted by MEXT into the “2011 Re-Inventing Japan
Project”.
More information on the GLUE program: http://www.glue-apu.net/e/

Club Activities
17 18
Student Voice
Student Voice
Clubs Interview With
Shi Fan & Gong Jiali
Shi Fan (University of International Business and Economics) and Gong Jiali (Shanghai Jiaotong University)
are both currently in the Intensive Japanese Language Track of the Study in Kyoto Program (SKP).
Shi Fan
Gong Jiali
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/html/current/daily_life/club/voice/shi_fan_and_gong_jiali.html/
Q: What club/circles are you currently involved in at Ritsumeikan?
A: Karatedo Doukoukai ( 空 手 道 同 好 会 )
Q: Why did you want to enter the Karate club?
A: Shi Fan: I wanted to experience something new, and since
Japanese clubs are different from the clubs in China I thought
this would be a good experience. Also, I don’t exercise very
often so I thought joining this kind of club would be good
for my health, and exercising while learning a traditional
martial art of Japan seemed interesting to me.
Gong Jiali: I always had an interest in martial arts so when
I was introduced to the club by one of my senpai in April I
thought it would be a fun way to get exercise and become
healthy.
Q: What was your first contact with the Karate Club?
A: We were attracted by the club poster which had a drawing
of a cute girl on it who looked very strong. We saw that and
thought we wanted to become strong like her.
Q: Did you have experience in martial arts before joining this club?
A: Shi Fan: Neither of us did any martial arts while we were in
China, but we were always interested in the martial arts.
Gong Jiali: While I was in China I participated in a club, but
one time when I visited Japan I was very taken by how enthusiastic
Japanese students were at club activities. In China
students are kind of just playing at the club, but here in
Japan they are very serious.
Q: How often does the circle hold practices?
A: There is practice everyday but Sunday, but we only practice
twice a week, which is ok with the club.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of being part of this club?
A: Shi Fan: In one word 礼 儀 (etiquette). In China the students do
not worry too much about the “senpai/kohai” (older/younger
students) relationship. But here in Japan this is very important,
and they are a little strict. It has been a little hard to fully enter this
environment, but the senpai are very nice so practices are fun.
Gong Jiali: Sometimes we don’t understand the Japanese
everyone is saying as there are lots of special words for the
martial arts in Japan, but by watching and copying what the
senpai are doing we can keep up with the class.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being part of this club?
A: Shi Fan: We can exercise at a regular pace and we have
been able to make many Japanese friends, which might have
been more difficult had we not entered the club.
Gong Jiali: I also feel the same way. The exercise is great,
and it has helped to increase my appetite!
Q: Any last message you would like to give to other students looking
to join a club or circle at Ritsumeikan?
A: Gong Jiali: I highly recommended the Karate Club as you
can get regular exercise and make many Japanese friends.
Shi Fan: I think if you feel
like you want to get stronger
this would be a great
club. And not just physically
strong, we have also
gotten mentally stronger,
and are able to withstand
more than before.