Message from Mr. Itsuo Sonobe,
President of the Columbia University Alumni Association of Japan
Dear faculty, students and alumni of Teachers College Japan,
I would like to express, on behalf of all members of the Columbia University Alumni Association of Japan (CUAAJ), hearty congratulations on the designation of Teachers College, Columbia University as a "Foreign Graduate School, Japan Campus" by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Columbia University is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world with 250 years' history and tradition. Currently there are about 2,000 Columbia graduates from undergraduate colleges, graduate programs and professional schools who live and work in Japan.
The Teachers College campus in Japan, since it was founded in 1987, has contributed to English education in Japan by providing its M.A. program in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and has produced many leaders in this field. The teaching and guiding of students is a really rewarding endeavor, and teachers often affect their students' career development and the building or molding of their characters. I believe that the role of teachers is now more critical than ever here in Japan and this designation of Teachers College by MEXT will therefore be highly beneficial to the education systems of both Japan and the United States.
I believe the designation will strengthen and enhance the already-high reputation of Teachers College in Japan. Also, we look forward to TC's continued contribution to the English education system in Japan through its fostering of excellent teachers. Finally, I would again like to extend our most sincere congratulations on this designation, and offer our very best wishes for a more prosperous future at Teachers College Japan.
Sincerely,
Itsuo Sonobe
President
The Columbia University Alumni Association of Japan