Special lecture given by professor from University College London (UCL)
On October 9, Kumamoto University held a special lecture titled “Innovating University Education for the 21st Century―Thinking through establishing UCL’s multidisciplinary education programmes” by Professor Nick Tyler from University College London (UCL) in the UK. While involved in establishing a new multidisciplinary education programme, Professor Tyler, as Vice President in charge of Southeast Asia, takes the lead in strengthening relationships with universities in the region. His special lecture, which was attended by about 20 faculty members of Kumamoto University, including the President and trustees, began with an explanation of the details of how UCL has engaged in human resource development inside and outside the UK, such as UCL accepting the Chōshū Five, members of the Chōshū clan who contributed to the establishment of modern Japan about 150 years ago. His lecture also contained a very suggestive explanation of a situation where problem solving-type human resources with multidisciplinary types of knowledge are sought in the current revolutionary period and of the content of the new multidisciplinary education programme, and attracted one question after another from attendees on such matters as the details of the programs.
Before his special lecture, Professor Tyler paid courtesy visits to President Isao Taniguchi and Trustee & Vice President Mitsuo Morozumi. Their informal talks ended amicably after an introduction to Kumamoto University by the President and an explanation on the outline of the reform of university education in the UK by the professor.
