Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
東京外国語大学
Motto None
Type National
Established 1873 / 1949
Endowment N/A
President Hirotaka TATEISHI
Academic staff
 230[1]
Administrative staff
 337
Undergraduates 3,769
Postgraduates 573
Location Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
Campus Suburban
Colors N/A
Nickname N/A
Mascot N/A
Affiliations FUU, EUIJ, CESFNUTA
Website

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (東京外国語大学 Tōkyō Gaikokugo Daigaku), often referred to as TUFS, is a specialist research university in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan.

TUFS is primarily devoted to foreign language, international affairs and foreign studies. It also features an Asia-African institution.[2]

History

The University is the oldest academic institution devoted to international studies in Japan. It began as Institute for Research of Foreign Documents (蛮書調所 Bansho Shirabesho), a Tokugawa shougunate's translation bureau set up in 1857.

It was subsequently established as an independent educational and research institution with the name Tokyo School of Foreign Languages (東京外国語学校 Tōkyō gaikokugo gakkō) in 1899.

In 1999, the University celebrated both the 126th anniversary of its original establishment and the 100th anniversary of its independence. The campus was moved to its present location, where students can study in a modern, hi-tech environment.

Departments

There are 26 departments of language, i.e. the languages students can major at TUFS. Some languages are rarely taught in Japan or elsewhere the world.[3]

Campus and dormitories

Building for lectures and studies

The primary TUFS campus in Fuchu is situated in Asahi-cho near Tama Station of the Seibu Tamagawa Line. Classes are mainly held in the Research and Lecture building and, for international students, the Japanese Language Center.[4] The campus also features a library, gymnasium, sports field, cafeteria, and small shop, with another convenience store located adjacent to the North Arrival Court.

On-site accommodation is only available to international students, in the form of the twin International Residence Halls located at the ‘rear’ of the campus by the sports field. Both buildings provide studio apartment-sized single rooms for incoming students, as well as a limited number of ‘family’-sized apartments. Arranged in a wedge-shaped configuration, two sides of the wedge are lined with rooms, with an uncovered atrium in the centre. Completed first, amenities such as a communal kitchen and music room are located in Building 1. Building 2, completed later and featured to the right, moves the showers (and hot water supply) out of the individual rooms and to a communal shower and laundry area located on each floor.

School Festival (Gaigosai)

The School Festival of TUFS, Gaigosai, which usually takes place in the end of November, is known for its originality. Freshmen provide food of the countries they major in and Sophomore plays drama in the language they major. The plays are called gogeki (language plays). They sometimes use drama texts written in the language, but they often translate works in an other language by themselves. Gogeki was given some grant by Japanese government.

List of Exchange Universities

TUFS has partner universities in 35 countries.[5]

Notable alumni and faculty members

Alumni

Faculty

Academic rankings

University rankings (overall)
Toyo Keizai National[7]General 20
WE National[8]Employment 16
NBP Greater Tokyo[9][10]Reputation 9
Shimano National[11]Selectivity SA
ENSMP World[12]Alumni 92
* The data of NBP is in 2009 rankings because of availability.

TUFS is a specialized institution only in foreign language, international affairs and foreign studies, thus it is not as well known as other big universities such as University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. However, its prestigious position in Japan can be seen in the several rankings below.

General rankings

The university has been ranked 34th, 23rd and 20th out of 181 major universities during 2008-2010 in the ranking called "Truly strong universities(本当に強い大学)" by Toyo Keizai.[13][14]

Research performance

Weekly Diamond reported that TUFS has the 5th highest research standard in Japan in terms of research fundings per researcher in COE Program.[15] In the same article, it's also ranked 3rd in terms of the quality of education by GP funds per student.

Alumni rankings

According to the Weekly Economist's 2010 rankings, graduates from TUFS have the 16th best employment rate in 400 major companies.[16]

École des Mines de Paris ranks TUFS University as 92nd in the world in 2011 in terms of the number of alumni listed among CEOs in the 500 largest worldwide companies, although TUFS is a smaller university compared to other Japanese universities in the ranking.[17]

Popularity and selectivity

TUFS is one of the most selective universities in Japan. Its entrance difficulty is usually considered one of the top among 180 national and public universities.[18][19][20]

Notes

  1. ↑ TUFS Facts and Figures, retrieved 03/10/2010
  2. ↑ TUFS Institutions, retrieved 03/10/2010
  3. ↑ http://www.tufs.ac.jp/examination/ug/enrollment01.html
  4. ↑ TUFS Campus Map
  5. ↑ http://www.tufs.ac.jp/english/intlaffairs/schools/
  6. ↑ "贾拉森—— 内大教授、博导、南寺活佛", Inner Mongolia University News, 2008-02-13, retrieved 2010-06-04
  7. ↑ "Truly Strong Universities" (in Japanese). Toyo Keizai. 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Employment rate in 400 major companies rankings" (in Japanese). Weekly Economist. 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Nikkei BP Brand rankings of Japanese universities" (in Japanese). Nikkei Business Publications. 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Nikkei BP Brand rankings of Japanese universities" (in Japanese). Nikkei Business Publications. 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  11. ↑ "GBUDU University Rankings" (in Japanese). YELL books. 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  12. ↑ "ENSMP World University Rankings" (PDF). École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris. 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  13. ↑ http://www.toyokeizai.net/business/industrial/detail/AC/7ca97f085eda34ce139f6d1210cef898/page/1/
  14. ↑ TUFS only has the Humanities department, so it has a tendency to be ranked weaker. see Truly Strong Universities#Criticisms
  15. ↑ "週刊ダイヤモンド" ダイヤモンド社 2010/2/27 http://web.sapmed.ac.jp/kikaku/infomation/0227daiyamondokiji.pdf
  16. ↑ "Employment rate in 400 major companies rankings" (in Japanese). Weekly Economist. 2011. Retrieved Apr 29, 2011.
  17. ↑ http://www.mines-paristech.fr/Actualites/PR/Ranking2011EN-Fortune2010.pdf
  18. ↑ Private universities apply different kind of exams. Thus it's only comparable between universities in a same category.
  19. ↑ E.g. Yoyogi seminar published Hensachi (the indication showing the entrance difficulties by prep schools) rankings http://www.yozemi.ac.jp/rank/gakubu/index.html
  20. ↑ Japanese journalist Kiyoshi Shimano ranks its entrance difficulty as SA (most selective/out of 11 scales) in Japan. 危ない大学・消える大学 2012年版 (in Japanese). YELL books. 2011.

External links

Coordinates: 35°40′24″N 139°31′11″E / 35.67333°N 139.51972°E / 35.67333; 139.51972

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