Co-owner of endo's library and language studio (http://www.endo-studio.com/ )
Part-time lecturer at Tama Art University

David P. Baca — 1988 Master of Education

Which campus did you attend?

Shibakoen, Shibuya and Minami Osawa campuses

What was the most memorable thing(s) about TUJ from when you were a student?

The rapport among classmates along with the collegiate atmosphere and exceptional quality of instruction. Our questions were answered courteously and with clarity. I enjoyed especially our brainstorming sessions and group/team activities during our weekend seminars and workshops.

How has the education you received at TUJ been helping you in your career or your life in general?

Foremost, it opened doors to university teaching positions. In addition to a jump in earnings both in the short-term and long term, a Masters made it possible to qualify and extend my "marketability" outside university campuses and to engage in the instruction of specialized business skills such as preparing employees of multinationals for overseas meetings, negotiations and presentations. Moreover, these jobs led to the editing, proofreading and reviewing of reports and articles submitted for publication by mechanical, chemical and electrical engineers.

Looking at TUJ now, what do you think has changed or stayed the same at TUJ since your student days?

First, TUJ has been granted recognition by the Monkasho. In the 1980s non-recognition of TUJ meant, among other things, that we had no train pass discounts and credits and degrees were not considered equal to Japanese university credits and degrees. Because TUJ was unable to sponsor student visas the student population (graduate school) seemed to have been, on average, native speakers of English, older, married and working full time.

Second, there has been an increase in the number of non-Japanese undergraduate and graduate students. This diversity of nationalities and backgrounds offers both non-Japanese and Japanese students many more opportunities to interact on a more personal level inside and outside the classroom.

Third, the expansion of the continuing education program and the variety of courses and degrees now being offered has made TUJ more accessible and recognizable as a Japanese institution to the wider local communities.

How do you see the future of TUJ?

TUJ will become Japan's No.1 international education center if it invests in the advancement of science, technology and language education.

(Posted in January 2012)