News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David W. Taylor, Ph.D.                                                                                    
Tel: +(81) 774-64-0804                                                                                                    
Email: david.taylor@kyotoiu.ac.jp

PARTNERSHIP WITH TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY PROVIDES INTERNATIONAL DEGREE PATHWAY
Japan Needs More Leaders with Integrity and Students Want More International Education Choices

Kyotanabe, Japan (November 17, 2011) - Kyoto International University (KIU) students want more educational choices and challenges.  KIU students aspire to learn more and develop life skills through international study experiences.  The recent “2+2” partnership agreement between KIU and Trinity Western University allows KIU students to study for two years at KIU and then complete their final 2 years at Trinity Western University (http://twu.ca/) while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership (http://adc.trinitywestern.com/degree/leadership). 

The Trinity Western University “2+2” partnership addresses an important need for globally-minded leaders both inside and outside Japan.  Peter Blocksom, President and founder of the KIU organization stated that, “leaders with integrity are in short supply in and outside Japan.  An international degree option designed to develop future leaders will benefit society both in the public and private sector.”  All organizations need strong leadership.  The B.A. in Leadership is a first step in preparing students for future careers in business, government, non-profit, education, consulting and/or ministry.

David Taylor, Dean and Professor of International Business, added that the Trinity Western University partnership extends the university’s experiential learning focus deeper into the international marketplace.  “While we have developed short term experiential study trips in and outside Japan, the TWU agreement provides our students with an extended international learning experience.  Through this partnership, students benefit again by experiencing life, study and even business beyond the narrow confines of their college campus.”  The B.A. in Leadership allows students to complete their degree in a timely, more affordable and structured manner that will hopefully benefit them and future employers.  Taylor observes that this degree completion pathway presents a potential ‘win-win’ scenario for students and future employers, “by pursuing the B.A. in Leadership degree, students have guaranteed credit transfer and a straightforward path to degree completion.  Also, employers should be pleased because they have graduates who are more knowledgeable and skilled who have already demonstrated individual as well as leadership initiative and teamwork across cultures throughout their degree completion process.”

Kyoto International University is a small Christian institution whose purpose is to educate students from a Biblical worldview and in the western-style liberal arts tradition.  Trinity Western University is the premier Christian university in Canada and has the historical mission of developing people of high competence and exemplary character who distinguish themselves as exceptional leaders in "the marketplaces of life."

# # #

If you would like more information about the “2+2” B.A. in Leadership degree option or wish to schedule a visit to KIU, please contact Ms. Yuki Bito (yuki.bito@kyotoiu.ac.jp) or David Taylor (david.taylor@kyotoiu.ac.jp).

PDF Version of this Press Release