President　 UEDA,Etsuko

Think and Act: Our Continuous Initiatives for the Realization of Well-being

 

Kagoshima National College of Technology (Kagoshima Kosen) was founded in 1963, offering a five-year integrated education primarily for 15-year-old junior high school graduates. Over the years, in response to evolving times and societal expectations, we have developed into a higher education institution offering diverse career paths by establishing systems such as university transfer programs and advanced courses. Thanks to the remarkable achievements of our graduates in society, expectations for our institution have grown with each passing year.

Currently, we face numerous challenges, including natural disasters, a declining birthrate and aging population, various social disparities including poverty, and conflicts between nations over territory. It is imperative that each individual confronts these issues, thinking and acting on what they can do, rather than assuming someone else will solve them. Furthermore, with the rapid development of digital technology in recent years, not only has scientific technology changed, but so have approaches to school education and the methods of building human relationships. Society is becoming increasingly diverse, composed of people from various backgrounds. It is crucial to recognize one’s own worth, while also respecting, accepting, understanding, and cooperating with the diversity of others. We are now challenged to provide an education that flexibly adapts to such societal shifts and realizes the creation of new value.

In response to these challenges, Kagoshima Kosen is implementing a Well-being-oriented education. Well-being refers to a state of being physically, mentally, and socially fulfilled. We aim for the daily experiences at our school to contribute to the students’ own well-being, and for our well-being students to become the driving force behind the formation of well-being throughout society. To achieve this, education confined solely within the campus is insufficient. Therefore, we promote off-campus activities such as providing opportunities for students to connect with local communities, encouraging participation in domestic and international projects and contests, and engaging in various international exchange programs. We believe that accumulating experiences of connecting with many people, driven by their own will, both from the school and from Kagoshima outwards, enhances each student’s self-affirmation and sense of accomplishment.

Through this education, our school is committed to fostering well-being engineers who possess the creativity and practical skills to contribute to solving problems that brighten people’s futures. As our school enters its 63rd year, we are transforming into a new learning environment to meet the demand for human resource development for regional revitalization, and to swiftly adapt to the accelerating advancements in science and technology and the significant shifts in industrial structure. We invite you to anticipate the future of Kagoshima Kosen as it embarks on a new chapter.

We kindly ask for your continued understanding and support.