Messages from Graduates
Development of Academic & Social Skills at OCU
Franck E. Bonzemba, Ph.D. ( The Democratic Republic of Congo ) / Graduate School of Business
International Trade Centre UNCTAD / WTO
I must confess my story when I became a doctoral candidate of Graduate School of Business (GSB) at Osaka City University. Though I had a clear view of my field of study, I did not have a clear idea on a particular topic to focus on for my research. The academic environment in Japan, which was new for me, made it imperative to develop personal relationships within the academic community. So, both the developments of academic and social skills were necessary for me at the beginning!
Fortunately, there were many opportunities offered at GSB for the development of those skills. For a person with a clear idea of his/her objectives, initiative and self-management were necessary to take advantage of those various opportunities. Thanks to the dynamism and personal initiatives of my supervisor, Prof. Hiroshi Okano, we had many opportunities for the development of international personal relationships within the academic and business community.
After about two years of being a doctoral candidate, I was able to develop my insight into my own situation and manage the process of getting a Ph.D. Now, I am an International Civil Servant within the United Nations System, using skills developed when I was a doctoral candidate to help deal constructively with many challenges facing International Organizations. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank again all the persons who helped me during my study at GSB.
Beautiful Memories at OCU
Hannah Kreis ( Germany ) / Faculty of Economics
I came to OCU as an exchange-student and was looking for the opportunity to do some research in an area that I could get passionate about. This one-year experience has broadened my social-economic understanding significantly and allowed me to deepen my understanding of both theory and practice of the Japanese labor market. I have found the atmosphere at the Department of Economics very friendly and supportive of international students. The supervision and support I received from lecturers and other university staff was invaluable.
For me, this study was a good bridge between my undergraduate and further postgraduate studies. In my opinion, students from outside Japan are well looked-after at the OCU. If you are a non- Japanese speaking student, you can take a wide range of courses in Japanese Language and Culture through the department of Literature, so there's a wealth of knowledge you can tap into. As a student at OCU you will have access to the best resources and facilities to support your research. Plus, OCU is a great place to undertake study because it has a wide range of clubs and circles to offer everyone -tennis, diving, tea ceremony, chess and drama, just to mention a few. Coming from Europe, I enjoyed the Japanese lifestyle and the many beautiful places around Osaka.
Significant Assets Gained at OCU
Jia Weiheng ( China ) / Graduate School of Law
Attorney
I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to study at Osaka City University, Graduate School of Law (OCU-Law), where I accumulated intellectual resources for my career, enjoyed the unmatched facilities, and built great friendships with professors and schoolmates. Now, as an attorney admitted and practicing in both the US and China, I still find that the experience at OCU-Law serves as an important building block in my career and life edifice.
I benefited greatly from the small class sizes, which provided each student ample attention from the professors, and encouraged students to explore their own ideas and interests. For instance, in Prof. Satoru Taira’s classes, the students were able to choose our own major study materials, and the professor assisted us in developing understandings and further explorations of our own areas of interest, rather than directing us to research his own concerns.
The state-of-the-art academic facilities are another outstanding feature of OCU-Law. The main library (Ga-ku-jyo) and law library are furnished with a peerless collection of books, periodicals, and other materials in different languages. I was astonished when I found in the library an over 100 years old book written by a famous but controversial Chinese politician. Such a finding was quite exciting because works of this author are so rare even in China.
The professors and schoolmates regularly developed close friendship on and off campus. After discussions in classes or colloquia, I often found myself with classmates and professors in a Japanese style bar (Izakaya) continuing the topics of interest. My experience of learning and sharing at OCU-Law has been one of my most important assets in my personal life and professional pursuit.
My studies at the OCU graduate school of medicine
Li Qing Hua ( China ) / Graduate School of Medicine
JSPS Foreign Researcher at OCU
I became the Ph.D. student of Prof. Watanabe of the OCU graduate school of medicine in April 2000. My supervisor, Prof. Watanabe not only is an authority of the microPET research in Japan but also a pioneer of the brain developmental disorder research. There were many young students and researchers of different specialized fields like engineering, biology, chemistry, and medicine in my laboratory. The laboratory members were doing various interesting neurobiology researches besides my subject in developmental disorder. I learned many things concerning different fields by doing active discussions in the weekly laboratory seminars and the monthly progress reports. Naturally, the research results didn’t necessarily always turned out as expected. Prof. Watanabe requested more than the results so it was possible to do the research from the conception. I graduated from the graduate school doctorate course in March 2004 and became a JSPS foreign researcher from April.
In the future, I am planning to continue my research in Japan or maybe return to China. I believe that everything I experienced in OCU will become part of my precious memories.
The Greatest Milestone of My Life
Ritzwan Rana ( Pakistan ) / Graduate School of Engineering
Research Assistant
I had been a student of the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka City University since April 2001 to October 2004. During this period of my life I was given the opportunity to accomplish great strides
When I first came to my decision to move to Japan to obtain my Ph.D., I had heard that this was a country of educational opportunities with high standards, a respect for learning and advance technology. Through my stay here, every word has proven to be accurate. I never ceased a valuable chance to enhance my scientific approach and engineering capabilities in the field of Plasma. I developed a new kind of plasma accelerator with an increased plasma velocity as compared to a conventional type of plasma accelerator. This high velocity plasma accelerator was used to simulate the solarwind flow in the laboratory simulation of the earth’s magnetosphere. The hand’s-on experience in the field of plasma has broadened my mind and capabilities. I will take all that I have learned and use this knowledge in all future endeavors.
During my research work, my fellow students showed a great perseverance and dedication. Their friendly behavior towards me created a wonderful atmosphere to do the research with enthusiasm. I learnt from them, not only the scientific values but also the Japanese language. I am very thankful to the professors of the Dept. of Electrical Engineering and the staff of the Faculty of Engineering, who helped me during my study.
I have observed a deep sense of cooperation and sincerity among the people towards their work in their every aspect of life. I am a great admirer of the Japanese culture and its values.
In conclusion, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude, appreciation and respect to my professor Dr. S. Minami. Not only did he educate me but he also provided me with guidance, paving the way to many experiences. To him I give my sincere thanks.
An Amazing Osaka Ichi-dai Experience
Adrian Pizer ( Australia ) / Graduate School of Science
Managing Director, Principal Finance, UBS AG, Tokyo Branch
Almost 22 years ago, I first arrived in Japan to begin what would be an amazing experience. These days my memories of that time seem to mainly fall into three categories: (1) The hard work I put in studying mathematics; (2) The “first time” experiences as I gradually and at times somewhat chaotically tried to assimilate into the totally different culture of Japan; and (3) how important the strong support and selfless kindness of so many people was for me (professors, sempai, dooki, Japanese teachers, home-stay families… (although I didn’t really appreciate it enough at the time!)).
After graduating I left the academic world and went into finance. Since then I’ve been based in Tokyo, apart from a couple of years in New York and London, and I now run the Asia Pacific principal finance desk for UBS. Two particularly valuable lessons I received from Mr. Kawauchi remain as true for me today as they did when I was studying for my Ph.D. all those years ago: 1. Focus and make yourself an expert in something. Hiroku asaku will never get you there; and 2. Sometimes it’s best to let go and move on to something else.
My Academic Life at OCU
Liu Qing( China ) / Graduate School of Human Life Science
Last year, I graduated with a degree from the Graduate School of Literature and Human Sciences, majoring in Japanese Language and Literature. Currently I am continuing my studies as a PhD researcher at the Urban-Culture Research Center, founded as part of the COE program in the graduate school. In the Japanese Language and Literature course, it is an established tradition that all students study together, without distinction with regard to grade or nationality. In the classes, all of the graduate school consider the same theme, and the upperclassmen set a good example for the students in the lower grades in their research approach and academic standards. Graduate students in the lower grades then set their sights on their seniors in their research.There is always a tense atmosphere in the classes. The juniors feel thatthey must not be behind and the seniors are under pressure to create better presentations. This pressure, however, inspires a higher reseach ability and promotes a spirit aiming for an extremely high academic standard. The teachers of the Japanese Language and Literature course always keep their offices open and there the graduate students can study face to face with their teachers. They can turn to the teachers for guidance at any time and thus acquire the professors' research approach even without knowing it. These experiences have stood me in good stead when I study independently after graduation. I had been studying for eight years as a graduate student in a very good academic environment. My graduate-student days gave me much satisfaction. I feel happy that I could lead my academic life at Osaka City University.
My youth at OCU
Soonjoo Kang (Korea) / Graduate School of Human Life Science
The reason why I chose Japan to study abroad was at first because my father was transferred to Osaka of Japan. (At that time my father was the manager of Osaka Branch of the Jae-Il(__) Bank.)
I started learning the Japanese language at a language school in Japan, and after one year study, I achieved the grades in a qualifying examination(Toitsushiken) from the Ministry of Education that enabled me to enter Japan's universities. At that time, thanks to the strong recommendation by the headmaster of the language school, I applied for Department of Housing of OCU and passed thus starting my study abroad as a freshman.
With 4 years of classes of housing , school circle activity(tennis club & chorus), and participating in events, I experienced wide and diverse Japanese culture. Also, impressed by the classes and the passion for study of the professors, who are distinguished scholars in the field of housing, my desire to take the path of a scholar became an unwavering faith.
Graduate school was always a huge challenge to me. My 6 years of graduate school life began with my academic supervisor as Dr.Kanbayashi Hiroo, who possessed a special understanding and love for Korea. It was the time when I learned the carriage in study and the logical way of thinking.
The study at graduate school was of course a struggle with myself, yet with the help from seniors and my academic advisor, and through many discussions, I built up my confidence in my study as well as my Japanese skill. Currently, I'm residing in Konkuk University in Korea, teaching classes related to housing while training disciples. There are times when I talk to students in class about the many episodes about my experiences in OCU. I will never forget my precious memory in OCU where I passed my young days. Thank you very much!!
Try to catch the new business chance in the Graduate School for Creative Cities!
Kang Hee - Chun (Korea) / Graduate School for Creative Cities
With the rise of China, Asia is now recognized as an important market in the world economy. Discussions and attempts to conclude FTA to unify the Asia as one global market are active. The business activities in Asia are expected to be revitalized more than ever.
Asian Business in the Graduate School for Creative Cities is a school for studying rapidly changing Asian economic environment. Students can find new business model. They can start up a new business.
Especially, human network built between the students from all over the world will elevate the level of business success in Asia.
In conclusion, lecturers who spared their own time to show how to use library and data base, and supervisor who gave his ticket for me to not to miss the last train home was unforgettable.
These things are the main reason that I choose and recommend Asia Business. I strongly recommend you to challenge.