The Faculty of Arts and Science, which builds the “core” of learning, has finally started this academic year. Today marks the beginning of the second week. To mark the start of the Faculty of Arts and Science, we have decided to hold the Faculty of Arts and Science Kick-off Symposium: “Re-examining Learning in Universities.” I believe that the reorganization of liberal arts education is a major educational challenge for universities across the country. Kyushu University has reviewed its previous university-wide education and launched the Faculty of Arts and Science. At the symposium, we will invite President Norihiko Suzuki of Akita International University and Professor Shigeru Miyagawa of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to give lectures on the future direction of higher education. For the panel discussion, we have invited Vice President Shunya Yoshimi of the University of Tokyo and Professor Reiko Yamada of Doshisha University as panelists to discuss with our faculty members the Faculty of Arts and Science, which will be responsible for nurturing the next generation. We invite all interested faculty, staff, and students to attend. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Faculty of Arts and Science Kick-off Symposium: “Re-examining Learning in Universities”
In April 2014, Kyushu University conducted a comprehensive review of its bachelor’s degree curriculum and newly launched the Faculty of Arts and Science. By providing a place to “learn how to learn” and “learn how to think,” the Faculty of Arts and Science aims to cultivate active learners who possess the attitude to continue learning autonomously throughout their lives, a broad perspective, and the skills to discover and solve problems in collaboration with others from different disciplines. This symposium will share the vision and prospects of the Faculty of Arts and Science with society at large, while also inviting experts in higher education and liberal arts education from outside the university to engage in an open discussion about the Faculty of Arts and Science, which will be responsible for nurturing the next generation at our university. We look forward to the participation of many who are interested in higher education and liberal arts education.

Date and Time: Saturday, May 24, 2014, from 13:00

Venue: Shiiki Hall (Kyushu University Ito Campus)
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/access/

13:00 Opening

13:20 Keynote Lecture 1
“Re-examining Teaching in Universities: From the 20th Century Model to the 21st Century Model”
Lecturer: Norihiko Suzuki (President, Akita International University)

14:05 Keynote Lecture 2
“The Openness of Education: What on Earth Will Happen?”
Lecturer: Shigeru Miyagawa (Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

15:00 Report
“What is the Faculty of Arts and Science? Aiming to Cultivate Active Learners”
Setsuo Taniguchi (Vice Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University)

15:30 Panel Discussion
Part 1: Panel Discussion
“Expectations and Prospects for the Faculty of Arts and Science in Nurturing the Next Generation”

Moderator: Yasuaki Shintani (Professor, Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University)
Panelists
・Shunya Yoshimi (Vice President, The University of Tokyo)
・Reiko Yamada (Director, Center for Learning Support and Faculty Development, Doshisha University)
・Setsuo Taniguchi (Vice Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University)
・Michiaki Takayama (Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Kyushu University)
・Yoshio Sonoda (Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University)

◇Part 2: Q&A with the Floor

17:30 Closing

Registration: Please register via the following URL.
http://goo.gl/KvqpYz

[Contact]
Faculty of Arts and Science Division, Academic Affairs Department, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395
Tel: 092-802-5900, 5913
Fax: 092-802-5990
E-mail: kickoff[atmark]artsci.kyushu-u.ac.jp (Please replace [atmark] with @)