2010-2011 - United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia

Dr. Norihiko Suzuki
International Christian University (Japan)
Social Responsibility
and Creative Thinking
How can liberal arts education prepare students to function as engaged citizens? Dr. Norihiko Suzuki, President
of Japan’s International Christian University (ICU) and a participant at the 2011 AULP, believes that liberal arts
education “fosters in students the desire and capacity to learn, think critically and communicate proficiently.”
At ICU, “liberal arts education provides the means to examine arguments and ideas in a comprehensive
manner, and to provide the rationale and ability to think with multiple perspectives in mind.” This approach is
different from that which is typically offered to Asian university students, which focuses on a single discipline
and prepares graduates for a narrow range of professional careers. But, observes Dr. Suzuki, “now the world
is rapidly changing and swiftly diversifying” and students may be better prepared if they study an array of
subjects and bring broad-minded critical thinking to the complicated problems of modern societies.
Dr. Suzuki believes critical thinking also “can lead students to become more conscientious about social
responsibilities.” In this way, liberal arts education also strengthens the university’s mission. “The
internationalism and the Christian spirit at ICU are inseparably intertwined with the development of social
responsibility and creative thinking.”
Dr. Suzuki began his tenure as president of ICU in April 2004. As he retires from this post in 2012, the United
Board thanks him for his partnership and for his support of Christian higher education in Asia.
www.UnitedBoard.org — 5