General Information
Oita University is the only national university located in Oita Prefecture. As Oita’s “Center of Community,” the University plays an active role in education, research, and medical sciences. The University now consists of five faculties and five graduate schools with 1,600 faculty and staff members, 5,000 undergraduate students, 700 graduate students, as well as 130 international students from 20 countries. The University maintains the academic exchange agreements with 83 institutes/hospitals across 22 countries and regions.
The International Student Center was established by Oita University in May 2000, and it was formally recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in April 2003. In April 2007, the Center was reconstructed as the Center for International Education and Research and was restructured again as the Global Education and Intercultural Advancement (GAIA) Center in April 2018.
The purpose of GAIA is to promote the exchange activities of Oita University by supporting both inbound exchange students and Oita University students who seek to study abroad (or outbound exchange students). GAIA supports inbound exchange students by providing courses in the Japanese language and Japan-related subjects, and by providing them with consultation whenever necessary. GAIA also supports Oita University students by providing them with global leadership training, as well as consultation and information to enable them to be successful outbound exchange students.
The Center offers the following programs:
- Japanese Language/Japanese Studies Courses and Global Courses for International Students
- Special Programs for International Students
- Support for outgoing and incoming exchange students
- The Program of International Frontier Education for domestic Oita University students
The Center also conducts research on the Japanese language, Japanese studies, international exchanges and international education. It also promotes academic activities, such as international seminars and symposia involving the Center and world partner universities. Exchanges are promoted between international and local students, not only on campus but also within the wider local community.
