神戸夙川学院大学

Message from the President

President of Kobe Shukugawa Gakuin University
Masaharu Goto

We live in a day and age of uncertainty in which tomorrow remains unforeseeable. Yet despite this fact, there is great hope that the future of Japan rests upon tourism. A few years ago, the national government declared Japan a “nation of tourism”, and subsequently established the Tourism Agency. Here at Kobe Shukugawa Gakuin University, we also believe in the future of tourism.

Our Department of Tourism and Culture was created with the intention of raising future leaders of the tourism industry, and we have made great strides in maintaining this goal. We continue to foster students who will eventually become active and responsible members of society. In hopes of doing so, our curriculum centers on acquiring wide ranges of knowledge, practical social skills cultivated through “research”, and in particular, developing high levels of proficiency in English and Chinese. We have a diversified group of instructors, including native English speakers, researchers of philosophy and linguistics, as well as members of the business world.

On the other hand, what we have earnestly focused our energies on is respecting our student’s “sense of independence” and on fostering our student’s “ability to think”. Student-organized projects have been successfully developed. Our students are also able to take advantage of our small size by forming solid relationships with their teachers. In addition, the National Tourism Plan Competition for high school students, “Kanko Koshien”, has been held at our school.

Kobe Shukugawa Gakuin University is located on Kobe’s Port Island. With a bright ambiance, our school is just the place for students to spend four years of their youth. People with desire, seeking their path for the future, or questioning the meaning of life and risk-takers… we, here at Kobe Shukugawa Gakuin University, welcome you to knock on our doors.

Education System

Dream/ Challenge/ Teamwork/ Fulfillment

A 21st century leader of the current tourism industry must be a person with overall competence, a wide range of practical skills and a well-rounded education.

We believe that the four elements below are important for prospective students to acquire in order to create a new style of tourism and to be leaders of the tourism industry.

1. Common courtesy and a spirit of hospitality (Basic element)

Motenashi no Kokoro is a Japanese expression that means a spirit of hospitality. This spirit of hospitality is cultivated through an in-depth understanding of people and a wide-ranging education. At KSGU, we recognize the importance of Motenashi no Kokoro as a necessary part of the tourism industry. For example, there is a Japanese tea room at the university so that our students can learn the basis of hospitality by practicing this traditional art.

2. Understanding and love for humanity, culture, and nature (Liberal arts and specialized courses)

What those who will be responsible for the tourist industry in the 21st century need before anything else is an understanding of Japanese history and culture. After that, they need to begin developing an understanding of the history, culture, art, religion, and social systems of different parts of the world. The liberal arts and specialized courses at KSGU help to foster the students' in-depth understanding of the world.

3. Practical skills for success in the real world (Research Study Courses)

Research Study Courses are the core of our curriculum. These courses have three main points as their focus. The first point　is learning to identify problems that spontaneously occur during the research process. Next, the students must learn how to deal with these unforeseen problems. The third point is learning to express an opinion clearly to the group. This process will help the students discover the subjects that interest them the most. These three practical points help students learn more about their future job possibilities and develop the skills necessary to manage a wide range of tasks.

4. An international awareness (Communication ability and international program)

Taking one of our language programs is required for all students. We currently offer classes in Chinese and English. Japanese, Chinese and native English-speaking teachers work together to support the students' total immersion in the language they choose to study. This language immersion is a practical way to prepare for tourism in many parts of the world and the classes teach relevant expressions, technical terms useful in emergency situations or for a future career in the tourism industry.