Meio University

[EduCativ]

Meio University was established in 1994 with public funds from Nago City and eleven other townships in northern Okinawa. It then became a public university on April 1, 2010. We celebrated the 20th anniversary of the foundation and the university's 5th anniversary of becoming a public university in 2014. Meio University remains dedicated to its founding principles of "Peace, Freedom, and Progress" and its mission of contributing to Okinawa through education and research. Also, our educational goals from the beginning have included preparing our students to play active roles in international communities.
In responding to these questions and to meet the needs of the times, the university established the Liberal Arts Center in 2011, which was reorganized in 2015 as the "University Center for Liberal Arts Education." Liberal Arts education here means to be free of the narrow definitions of a "major" and to educate students in a well-balanced, comprehensive way in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It also emphasizes critical and logical thinking and writing and the competence to communicate well in Japanese and foreign languages and encourages students to practice academic ethics.
The curriculum of Meio University is thus designed to educate students to be well rounded based on a liberal arts education combined with specific majors that add depth to students' necessary skills and knowledge. We call it the "Meio University Model of Liberal Arts Education." To realize this model, the university provides students with curricula based on active learning and organized into various study fields. For example, in the Faculty of International Studies, students acquire broad knowledge by studying various subjects before proceeding to their majors. The School of Human Health, consisting of the Department of Sports and Health Sciences and the Department of Nursing, also educates students by introducing liberal arts subjects. By promoting such an education following an international standard, we aim to cultivate students who can effectively contribute to local and international communities.
Thus, we will eventually prepare our students for studying independently throughout their careers. As for graduate programs at Meio University, we established the Graduate School of International Cultural Studies (MA programs in five research areas) in 2001 and the Graduate School of Nursing (MA program) in 2011. These two graduate schools aim to train high-level professionals and scholars. Further, to develop a better curriculum and research education system, bilingual education centered on English has been offered in some research areas, and the Graduate School of Nursing offers community-based programs with specific emphasis on health and nursing in northern Okinawa, known internationally for the longevity of residents.
Another aspect of the university's education's uniqueness lies in students' participation in many extracurricular activities to assist fellow students. Students participate in first-year student orientation and career orientation activities. Besides, students—including international students—teach and collaborate with fellow students in the learning centers mentioned above. Faculty members guide these extracurricular activities to enhance students' competence for leadership, communication skills, community service, collaborative spirit, and intellectual independence. Also, these activities strengthen and develop creative learning among students and faculty members. Also, the new Student Union, "Sakura," completed in November 2014, is the center for such activities for both students and Meio faculty and symbolizes the university's liberal arts education and its hope to educate students who will participate in various activities and exercise leadership in society after graduation.
Meio University educates students so that they become internationally oriented and grow to understand the needs of local communities deeply. The university achieves these goals by training students in local internships and international exchange programs in many countries worldwide. Students are thus exposed to humankind's intellectual tradition in higher education and can train themselves for a future career.

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