News & Topics

For a Post-Corona World

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　Happy New Year and I would like to thank you all for your continued support throughout the year.

　Looking back on last year, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine began in February, and it was the least expected news for us, who live far away in the Far East. Most people desperately expected that the conflict would end in a short period of time due to the absolute difference in military strength, however, we have learned once again that humanity has the power to overcome great adversity and insurmountable odds when fighting for loved ones and country. Asahi University has published an emergency statement in the name of the president appealing for a cessation of the war and return to peaceful diplomacy. https://www.asahi-u.ac.jp/topics/2022/12441/
This and the many other similar calls for peace have gained a great deal of sympathy both at home and abroad.

　What is the historical background of Ukraine, and why did the invasion occur? To learn about these issues, a faculty workshop was held on May 20th. Mr. Shigeki Sumi, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, was invited to give a lecture titled “Situation in Ukraine – What do the people of Ukraine desire?” After listening to his impassioned message, we have further strengthened our determination to support the people of Ukraine.

　The President’s Office, the Entrance Examination Public Relations Department, and the Japanese Language and Culture Course have strived to work together to accept evacuated students from Ukraine. After uploading our university’s acceptance guidelines on the website of the JASSO, Japan Student Services Organization, we received many inquiries from Ukraine. Between the lines of the numerous emails that were sent to us in fluent English, we were able to read the ever-changing situation of the invasion. In line with the spirit of Mr. Chiune Sugihara, a diplomat from Gifu Prefecture who continued to issue visas to Jews as a deputy consul of the Japanese Embassy in Lithuania during World War II, Asahi University widened its doors even more to those abroad. As a result, we were able to grant admission to a total of eight students over the summer. However, due to the escalating war situation, it was extremely difficult for young people to leave the country, and only two male and one female student were able to enroll the university. During the various immigration steps, we received great support and guidance not only from the Ukrainian authorities, but also from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Nagoya Immigration Bureau, and the local Gifu Prefecture and Mizuho City authorities. In addition, we received support for acclimatization and for their living situation from related organizations and companies in the prefecture. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all who gave us their support.

　At the same time, I will pray for the safety of the five students who have not yet been able to enter the university, and for the earliest possible peace and settlement of this conflict.

　In the meantime, in the new normal of coping with the COVID-19, we have resumed student exchanges with partner schools overseas. In August, we sent our students to the University of Texas at San Antonio and the Autonomous University State of Mexico, and to the University of Hawaii at Manoa in September. In late September, we accepted students from the Autonomous University State of Mexico, and in December, we accepted students from Nanchang University, China, and the University of Siena, Italy. This decision was based on the premise that many cases of young people infected with the novel coronavirus and its mutations would be unlikely to experience severe symptoms. Our decision was mirrored by Japan’s immigration policy, which finally eased the border measures in early September. Through in-person exchanges with various countries, I reaffirmed the importance of promoting internationalization.

　The Asahi University-affiliated medical institution is still battling the coronavirus. In particular, I would like to once again express my respect to the faculty and staff of Asahi University Hospital who are responsible for the wards devoted to caring for Covid-19 patients and outpatients with symptom of fever, and thank them and their families from the bottom of my heart for their selfless dedication to the welfare of the community.

　This year, we will return to the standard practices of education and continue our efforts to “never stop students from learning” and “to protect local medical services.” Let us create a bright and prosperous post-corona world together.