Message from the Dean

At Osaka Metropolitan University, we are dedicated to preparing students to thrive in their careers and in life, even during uncertain and dynamic times. At the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Global Education, we have a course framework designed to equip students with such abilities to collect and analyze information, proactivity, imagination, and self-expression, as well as a logical mind, great sensibility, empathy toward others and society, and ethical behavior.

At many universities, the education that students receive at the initial stage after their enrollment is called “first-year education,” “liberal arts,” “university-wide common education,” etc. At Osaka Metropolitan University, however, such education is referred to as “kikan kyoiku,” meaning “fundamental education” in Japanese. This name shows that the education provided at the initial stage at our university is intended as a transition from elementary and secondary education in Japan (or overseas equivalents in the case of international students) to higher education, to help students adopt an attitude toward studying for the rest of their life continually and progressively, and to enable students to engage in a systematic, preparatory study before exploring liberal arts and a specialty to be obtained as a matter of course so that they can play an important role as global citizens. This initial education serves as a solid cornerstone for the university’s undergraduate programs and provides an important mainstay of the university’s education system.

Originally, the term “liberal arts” indicated an extensive and active understanding of human science, social science, natural science, and technology. Liberal arts also served as an indicator of the growth of learners. Today, however, it is no longer sufficient to adopt only one “culture,” and we should find ways to make our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. Universities provide opportunities for different cultures, communities, and individuals with different cultural and community backgrounds to achieve mutual growth. In a society, where different cultures and philosophies collide with one another, you need to have a deep understanding of your own culture, based on which you also need to develop a more practical, ethical attitude and intention together with empathy with others. By leveraging a logical mind or creative sensibility, which is regarded as “wisdom” in all cultures, you need to take on challenges in addressing global problems that will await you. The ability to do so is nurtured through “liberal arts” education provided as the fundamental education at Osaka Metropolitan University.

Foster community-based human resources who can make their presence felt in the global arena — this new form of liberal arts education that works in the world of diversity constitutes the philosophy of Osaka Metropolitan University’s fundamental education. To achieve this philosophy, we strive to foster human resources who are equipped with the necessary abilities and are able to demonstrate these in society. We expect students to develop an appropriate attitude toward continuing to study independently even after graduation, a logical mind, great sensibility, and ethical behavior toward others and society. To this end, we provide and implement education with a focus on the initial phase after enrollment.

Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Global Education
Fumihiko Hashimoto