Message from the Dean

"We will foster leaders that will shine in the 21st century in a society where men and women participate equally, coexisting with the environment, through advanced fundamental research and interdisciplinary research in the international city of Nara."

Modern civilization has brought about major distortions to the precious global environment. There is no question that we must gather great wisdom in order to protect our beautiful waters and green natural environment, and to achieve a society that coexists with the environment, and which we can pass on to the next generation. The goal of the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences is thus to foster high-level specialists and researchers with the broad perspectives, the comprehensive judgment, and the highly specialized capabilities required respond independently to the needs of a new and global era. To accomplish this goal, the School has put in place an interdisciplinary system of education and research that combines studies in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. It has entered into collaborative education and research agreements with Nara Institute of Science and Technology and Wakayama University, as well as credit exchange agreements with Ochanomizu University, Kobe University, Kyoto University, and other Graduate Schools in Japan. Furthermore, it has completed academic exchange agreements with many overseas universities, including Xinjiang University in China, Mills College and the University of North Carolina in the U.S., and the University of Graz in Austria, thus promoting research exchanges with faculty and graduate students, and at the same time contributing to the internationalization of higher education. In recognition of these types of research activities, the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences was selected as a research and education center for the "21st Century COE Program" in 2004. It is also worthy of note that the School has introduced a revolutionary "long-term study system" that takes into account the diversifying lifestyles of women, enabling students to exceed the standard period of studies as their situation requires.

"Having put this type of education and research environment in place, our many outstanding instructors look forward to welcoming students who have a strong desire to participate in meaningful projects while acquiring academic credits. We hope that all those who enter the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences will grow as researchers and advanced specialists who will contribute not only to Japanese society, but to international society as well."

Seishi Noguchi
Dean, Nara Women's University, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences