Osaka University of Foreign Studies

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.

History

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.

Student life

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.

Transportation

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.

Notable alumni

• Ryotaro Shiba (author, alumni of Osaka School of Foreign Languages)
• Chin Shunshin/Chen Shunchen (author, alumni of Osaka School of Foreign Affairs)

External links

• Osaka University of Foreign Studies

Coordinates: 34°51′9.1″N 135°31′1.4″E / 34.852528°N 135.517056°E / 34.852528; 135.517056