| Osaka University of Foreign Studies | |
|---|---|
| 大阪外国語大学 | |
| Motto | N/A |
| Established | Founded Mar. 1921, Chartered May 1949 |
| Type | Public (National) |
| Endowment | US$ billion (JP¥ billion) |
| President | Shun Korenaga |
| Academic staff | Day Course and Evening Course |
| Undergraduates | N/A |
| Postgraduates | N/A |
| Location | Minoh, Osaka, Japan |
| Campus | Suburban , acres ( km²) |
| Athletics | teams |
| Mascot | None |
| Website | [1] |
Osaka University of Foreign Studies (大阪外国語大学 Ōsaka gaikokugo daigaku), abbreviated to OUFS or Ōsaka gaidai (大阪外大), Hangaidai (阪外大), Hangai (阪外) or Daigaidai (大外大) is a public coeducational research university in Minoh, Osaka, Japan. It is dedicated to area studies and the study of foreign languages and their related cultures.
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Osaka University of Foreign Studies (OUFS) was one of Japan’s only two national universities specialized in foreign studies. Initially OUFS offered foreign language education in 9 world languages. The number eventually increased to 25, in accordance with OUFS’s development as Japan’s major center for foreign language education and research.
The history of OUFS dates back to 1921. The foundation of the university was supported financially by Choko Hayashi (1873-1945) an Osaka businesswoman, who made a private donation of ¥1,000,000. Based on this donation the Japanese government established the "School of Foreign Affairs (SFS)" in 8-chome, Uehonmachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka City with the aim of nurturing internationally-minded personnel in Japan.
However its characteristics of the education, specialized in the language and culture of certain society, was commonly understood as a training center of espionage during WWII, the School was obliged to be renamed "Osaka College of Foreign Affairs" in April 1944. It moved to Takatsuki, Osaka for a few years after the war, and went back to its original place in Osaka city.
In 1949, when the Law on the Establishment of National Schools came into effect "Osaka University of Foreign Studies (OUFS)" was established, based on the existing "Osaka College of Foreign Affairs". Under law of public university, it was reformed and offered 12 modern languages as majors.
In 1979 OUFS moved its campus to its present location in Minoo City, which is located in the Northern suburb in Osaka prefecture, for more extensive academic activities. It offered 25 modern languages as majors and 16 ancient and modern languages as minors.
In October 2007, OUFS was consolidated with Osaka University, becoming the "School of Foreign Studies (SFS)" of Osaka University. Offering 25 languages as majors, including Japanese, SFS is the only one school of foreign studies among all comprehensive national universities in Japan.
The merger took several years to be realized because of the conflicts of interest among the academic staff of OUFS, Osaka University and a Japanese government agency, which was aiming public sector reform. Because all academic staff were public employees, some of them had a fear of having decreased amount of remuneration at their retirement, whereas some had a possibiligy of losing their job especially in the Department of Foreign Studies, since Osaka University had similar/same departments and subjects. As a result of harsh negotiation among the three parties, most of the senior academic staff of OUFS obtained their academic positions at Osaka University, whereas young professionals at both universities ended up leaving the universities, regardless of academic performance.
A merger with Osaka University happened on October 1, 2007, upon which Osaka University of Foreign Studies became the foreign language department of Osaka University. Students applying for entry to OUFS for the 2008 academic year will do so through Osaka University.
History of School of Foreign Studies, Osaka University
| 1921 | Osaka School of Foreign Languages founded. |
1922 School opening ceremony held.
1937 Hanazono Sports Ground newly established.
1944 Renamed Osaka College of Foreign Affairs
1945 Many of the College’s buildings, excluding the library, burned down during the war
1946 Moved to the site of the former headquarters of Engineering Regiment No. 4 in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture to conduct classes.
Administration office moved to 8-chome, Uehonmachi, Tennoji, Osaka.
1949
Osaka University of Foreign Studies established.
1951
Osaka College of Foreign Affairs abolished.
1959
Junior College (evening course) of Osaka University of Foreign Studies established.
1965
Stopped enrollment of students for Junior College (evening course) The University’s Night School established.
1969
Graduate School (master’s course) for Foreign Studies opened.
1972
Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the University.
1979
Moved to 2734, Oaza Aomatani, Minoo City. Classes started at Aomatani Campus.
1981
Completion of the University’s new buildings celebrated.
1993
Day School and Night School closed and Department of International Studies (Day and Evening Courses) and Department of Area Studies (Day and Evening Courses) opened.
2004
Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Inc. inaugurated.
2006
Ceremony held to sign the agreement for promoting integration between Osaka University and Osaka University of Foreign Studies
2007
Consolidated with Osaka University (October 1) School of Foreign Studies, Osaka University, inaugurated.
2008
Commenced enrollment for the School of Foreign Studies, Osaka University Enrollment ceremony for the first students held (April 1)
OUFS held 2 multicultural festivals every year, which were renowned for ethnic food stalls selling various sorts of international cuisine. Each society at the university held performances or exhibitions. The summer festival's highlight was the Bon Odori, and the November festival consisted of many plays in foreign languages.
The OUFS campus is located in the northern suburb in Osaka prefecture. The time taken between Osaka University of Foreign Studies and Rail Terminals is around an hour, depending on the mode of transport used. The bus leaves from the Hankyuu shopping center towards Osaka-Gaidai mae, which stops right in front of the university. Other buses bound for Madani Jutaku 4 are also available which stop in the nearest residential area. Access between OUFS and Osaka University has improved due to the extension of the Osaka Monorail. Owing to the recent extension of the Osaka Monorail to Saito-Nishi it takes 15 minutes by walk from the Osaka University of the Foreign Studies campus.
Most academic staff were transferred to Osaka University.