What is the Rikuzentakata Global Campus?
Rikuzentakata Global Campus
Rikuzentakata Global Campus (RTGC) is jointly established by Iwate University and Rikkyo University as a public facility supported by the City of Rikuzentakata. This is considered to be a very unique initiative in Japan, comprising two academic institutions, one national and one private university.
RTGC will be utilized as a hub flexibly used for exchange, study, and research among students and researchers of any university inside or outside Japan, as well as employees of the business sector and local governments.
RTGC will be utilized as a hub flexibly used for exchange, study, and research among students and researchers of any university inside or outside Japan, as well as employees of the business sector and local governments.
3 Concepts of the Program
Rikuzentakata Global Campus organizes various programs to fulfill the concept with the following:
“Connect through learning” “Communicate through learning” “Create through learning”
“Connect through learning” “Communicate through learning” “Create through learning”
Connect
The Campus connects various entities, especially:
Convey
Visualize the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, the unparalleled reconstruction and urban planning afterwards, and the lessons learned in order to convey messages to various entities.
The messages they convrey are not limited to “post-disaster,” but also include rich tradition, history, and culture that the city possesses.
Create
University students and researchers, citizens of Rikuzentakata, “citizens of the heart” (non-citizens who care about Rikuzentakata), and various other persons who come together to share wisdom and expand upon the future of the city as well as the future of Japan.
The Campus connects various entities, especially:
- Rikuzentakata (citizens) and the university
- Universities
- Japan and Overseas
Convey
Visualize the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, the unparalleled reconstruction and urban planning afterwards, and the lessons learned in order to convey messages to various entities.
The messages they convrey are not limited to “post-disaster,” but also include rich tradition, history, and culture that the city possesses.
Create
University students and researchers, citizens of Rikuzentakata, “citizens of the heart” (non-citizens who care about Rikuzentakata), and various other persons who come together to share wisdom and expand upon the future of the city as well as the future of Japan.
As an Open Space
Rikuzentakata Global Campus welcomes anyone who wishes to utilize the space. The Campus is available for the following purposes among others. Feel free to inquire (consult on the fees and charges separately).
- Meetings, training, workshops
- Academic programs
- Collaborative laboratory, Shared Lab
- Activity hub for intensive courses, seminars, research work for visitors to Rikuzentakata
- Symposiums, exchange programs, collaborative events
Prospective Projects
Since its opening in 2017, diverse projects have been planned based on the three concepts including (tentatively):
“Connect”
“Convey”
Rikuzentakata University Symposium
An annual event to provide a venue to bring citizens together with university members from all over Japan who have connections with Rikuzentakata.“Connect”
“Create”
Collaborative laboratory, Shared Lab
A rental lab space for graduate and undergraduate students and young researchers from universities throughout Japan and beyond. The lab can be used on a weekly or yearly basis for research work.“Connect”
Rikuzentakata Community College Courses
Cultural and practical courses mainly targeting Rikuzentakata citizens. Courses are provided under different themes inviting university researchers, celebrities from various fields, and people who have a connection with Rikuzentakata based on the university’s knowledge network.“Connect”
“Convey”
“Create”
Development and hosting of academic programs
As of 2017, Iwate University and Rikkyo University have developed the following programs (see below). They will be implemented publicly and invite participants from all over Japan and abroad.Rikuzentakata Global Program (mainly for undergraduate and graduate students)
An international academic program where students from Japan and abroad jointly deepen their learning through conversation and exchange. They will have hands-on learning opportunities on the damage caused by disasters and the subsequent processes of reconstruction.
Rikuzentakata University of Disaster Management (mainly for municipal staff throughout Japan)
An advanced practical program for disaster management based on the actual experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Students will learn how shelters and residents’ safety are secured.
“Convey”
“Create”
“Oral Heritage” (video archive project)
A potential video project to pass citizens’ stories on to the rest of Japan and the world, and to future generations.