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By continuing to use the website, you consent to Middlebury's use of cookies and other technologies as outlined in our Privacy Policy The Middlebury Institute has partnered with Soka University of America to provide its undergraduate students the opportunity to gain scholarships to its master’s degree programs “Soka and the Middlebury Institute are natural fits—we both have students from the U.S and around the world who want to use their careers to make a difference,” said Jill Stoffers senior director of institutional partnerships “We’ve seen Soka students thrive here and are excited to offer scholarships to expand their opportunities to pursue a master’s degree with us.” Soka University of America is a private liberal arts college located in southern California and one of the most international universities in the United States The Middlebury Institute is about 40 percent international students Soka alumni enrolling in the Middlebury Institute’s degree program can receive the following:  The mission of the Middlebury Institute is to educate professionals to advance understanding and drive change in pursuit of a more just world “There is a significant alignment between the programs at the Middlebury Institute and many of our programs which should also help generate interest among our students,” said Bryan Penprase Soka’s vice president for sponsored research and external academic relations “The combination of SUA’s liberal arts foundation and advanced training at the Institute will equip our SUA graduates to have even deeper and more meaningful impact on helping our world move toward a more peaceful and sustainable future.” The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies partners with Soka’s Nuclear Politics Summer Program and has hosted many SUA students at the Middlebury Institute’s Monterey campus The research and education center is the largest nongovernmental organization in the world devoted to curbing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and has educated many top leaders in nonproliferation The inaugural assistant dean of student success at SUA shares how the institution prepares students for long-term success and the importance of quality advising You have /5 articles left.Sign up for a free account or log in students complete a liberal arts degree with a specialized concentration Lisa MacLeod wasn’t sure where her career path would take her She majored in English literature and international relations with the aspirations of being a journalist or a State Department staffer and found herself back in academia not long after assistant dean of student success at Soka University of America Watchara Phomicinda /Soka University of America as the inaugural assistant dean of student success at Soka University of America since last fall MacLeod is charged with breaking institutional silos at the California institution to improve student outcomes after graduation MacLeod spoke with Inside Higher Ed about her time thus far at the institution Inside Higher Ed: What is your new role at Soka and how does it fit into institutional goals for student success MacLeod: One of the most important things [about my role] is that I am housed under the dean of faculty which is very different from how a lot of schools have done this isn’t getting students to graduate—because we already are doing that very well as an institution … I’m not just new in the job the position is new at the university—so there’s some room for me to define what the position is I was asked to look specifically at advising our program is all faculty individually advising students for academic advising Career services and internships is the other side of the house the two sides of the house don’t talk to each other very well are there ways that we can integrate better because we have lots of good things happening by different people Do they know enough about it to recommend it to students The other thing is starting to integrate career readiness skills into the curriculum. This year, we are rolling out RATE (Reflect which was developed by the University of Minnesota for their liberal arts students We’re having our first cohort this coming semester—so beginning in February—of faculty fellows who have pledged to develop the RATE system into their existing course and we’re supporting them with some training and other kinds of activities so that we’re very specific in the application We’re not asking you to change your course What we’re asking is that you make it more evident to students how they are developing career readiness skills in addition to academic and subject area knowledge Inside Higher Ed: You were a double major in college While interdisciplinary learning can be an asset to students sometimes academic departments can be more focused on helping students on a specific path within their discipline Do you have any insights based on your experience as a dual major and helping students find their own path we don’t have majors—everyone graduates with a major in liberal arts Students here do have the opportunity to double concentrate so they’re not taking as many courses as you would for a major but there’s still some degree of specialty I encourage them to look at the whole course catalog and say and you’ll figure out how they connect to each other if you look for it,” and to not worry about double concentrations force yourself to take courses you wouldn’t otherwise Do these kinds of courses that are skill building [so] you’ll have that [for] the next level of your education; they will have expected you to have that background I’m really focused on having students maybe try something they wouldn’t otherwise I wish as an undergraduate I had taken an anthropology class but it never occurred to me; it just wasn’t on my radar because you don’t know what you don’t know and to really find something that drives them that they’re really excited about doing the coursework and learning more about that area they’re going to develop the liberal arts skills in the process if they’re forcing themselves to take a course because they feel they should take this course they’re not going to have the same level of motivation They’re not going to get the same out of it which is so important to the student journey What does quality advising look like to you MacLeod: I think that quality advising really requires time and listening I always ask students to come in with kind of a worksheet: Where are you [in your progress] toward graduation Where are you in terms of taking required courses but you have a selection of five different faculty members that might be teaching that course they bring their skills and expertise and kind of personality in each course maybe this other faculty member—even though it’s the same requirement—might teach that course in a way that you would find appealing?” And directing them to resources encouraging them to talk to faculty before they enrolled in the course if they have questions or concerns or if they’re not certain about something Then also asking them very blatant questions that I wish someone had asked me when I was an undergraduate and how are you going to get it moving forward I took time off [after graduating] because I’d never had those conversations Maybe people at the university thought I was having it with my family My family may have thought I was having it with people at the university “Apply for this,” and it was a very structured thing That’s not how life after graduation works at all So I ask those questions I wish someone had asked me Inside Higher Ed: What is student success to you MacLeod: It’s not for me to define for someone else what success looks like but I think it’s wrong to impose that on other people because success can look like so many different things I feel that student success is they graduate from the program That there’s not regret that they should have gone someplace else but also that we’ve equipped them with the skills in their personal and in their professional life to face the challenges that will inevitably come and to be able to surmount them The first couple years after graduation for everyone is hard—that’s just kind of the nature of the beast—but that they are prepared for and know that there’s something on the other side that they will figure it out and then end up on the other side in a career that they find fulfilling in some manner And hopefully happy alumni that are talking to our current students and sharing their experiences Inside Higher Ed: What are your long-term goals in this new role MacLeod: It feels like so much of academic life is keeping your head above water for now I’d really like to see a more collaborative campus culture where faculty members are supporting each other in their endeavors It’s not that my colleagues are unsupportive but we don’t always ask each other or are aware of the ways in which our research overlaps and we could actually be doing more—whether it’s with our teaching or where we could be drawing more on each other’s skills and knowledge base I’m still really new at this … so I think right now my priority is still listening Seeking stories from campus leaders, faculty members and staff for our Student Success focus. Share here. reminds colleges of their responsibility to ensure borrowers repay loans to the best o The latest episode of Voices of Student Success addresses how to prepare soon-to-be college graduates for navigating Data from NACE and Handshake points to a competitive job market for the Class of 2025 The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education debut a new classificat Learn high-impact ways to re-engage students drive enrollment and support your team’s well-being Subscribe for free to Inside Higher Ed’s newsletters opinion and great new careers in higher education — delivered to your inbox View Newsletters Copyright © 2025 Inside Higher Ed All rights reserved. | Website designed by nclud Welcome to IPE. This site uses cookies. Read our policy IPE magazine July/August 2023 By 2025-04-02T09:30:00+01:00 the German organisation overseeing the pension funds for employees in the construction industry is stepping down at his own request in June Asshoff has decided to leave the pension scheme – which has more than €14bn in assets under management –to continue to work as a lawyer and investment consultant He has served for almost 10 years as board member and co-chief executive officer of SOKA-BAU ULAK (the organisation overseeing the holiday and wage compensation fund for the construction industry) the supplementary pension fund for the construction industry and the largest of the two with around €10bn in assets Asshoff started his career at SOKA-BAU in 1995 working as head of the European department leaving just over a couple of years later to join IG Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt as head of department for politics and policies until 2015 He served on the board and supervisory boards of several pension and social security funds and as chief financial officer of the supplementary pension fund of the painters and varnishers – Zusatzversorgungskasse des Maler- und Lackiererhandwerks VVaG In 2015, Asshoff returned to SOKA-BAU as a member of the executive board and, in the past few years, he steered the pension scheme’s strategy towards private market investments head of the asset management division at SOKA-BAU who has served in his current role since 2008 has joined the executive board of the scheme He will lead SOKA-BAU together with Gerhard Mudrack who has been a member of the executive board since 2020 Schneider has held various positions at SOKA-BAU and he was responsible for the allocation of liquid and illiquid assets of one of Germany’s largest pension funds Schneider is responsible for employee assignment procedures is accountable for client and market development Tobias Bockholt will join SOKA-BAU from WTW where he was chair of the board of directors of WTW Investments the unit overseeing investment consulting operations in Continental Europe Bockholt focused on serving institutional investors particularly regulated institutions such as pension funds and employee benefit schemes The latest digital edition of IPE’s magazine is now available Copyright © 1997–2025 IPE International Publishers Limited Site powered by Webvision Cloud Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music Passion, romance and tragedy come to Soka Performing Arts Center on March 1 with the staging of Giacomo Puccini’s most famous opera The production continues the commitment of the Parnassus Society and Soka Performing Arts Center to bring top-quality opera to Orange County’s many devoted fans Madama Butterfly’s story revolves around a U.S naval officer who marries a young Japanese woman out of convenience then abruptly abandons her The tragedy deepens when he comes back to claim their child The Soka performance captures Puccini’s dramatic vibrancy with an impressive and seasoned cast supported by the Parnassus Virtuosi Orchestra and the Orange County School of the Arts Puccini Chorus will also play a crucial part in this dazzling production Parnassus Society founder and chief underwriter Dr Kenneth Tokita is most eager to see this performance – the sixth Madama Butterfly for him and his wife Sandra Tokita cofounder of Parnassus Society – because the Japanese female characters will be dressed authentically in kimonos “I’ve never seen it with true Japanese kimonos This hidden gem in the Soka presentation comes courtesy of Sandra Tokita’s hairdresser Fascination and respect for the art of correctly wrapping a kimono led him to study the technique in Japan who got to see the hairdresser’s handiwork up close “He dressed some of the ladies the other day for a get-together Tokita is a radiation oncologist who opened the Cancer Center of Irvine in early 2000 who recently celebrated their 56th anniversary They’ve dedicated a significant financial commitment to the nonprofit Parnassus Society All programs sponsored by Parnassus Society are presented at Soka Performing Arts Center under a partnership that benefits both entities Soka Performing Arts Center makes the hall and its staff available at a nominal fee Parnassus picks up the tab to bring in the artists and stage the shows it typically costs about $80,000 to stage the annual opera He and his wife support to some extent additional programs at Soka as well including the annual Great Pianists series and other classical music concerts Tokita’s generous sponsorship has enabled us to bring some of the greatest pianists in the world here,” says Renee Bodie the center’s general manager and artistic director “And providing the expanded genre of opera – that is wonderful for our patrons to be able to experience.” Parnassus Society works to trim expenses without sacrificing quality will be an afternoon performance at Soka of about 100 minutes The condensed length helps avoid the expense of paying overtime wages to the musicians – an extra $4,000 or so for every 15 minutes over according to Parnassus Society artistic director Cheryl Lin Fielding “I work with the conductor to decide how to keep the essence of the story, the most beautiful parts,” says Fielding, a sought-after classical pianist and vocal coach who has taught at UCLA and the Dolora Zajick Institute for Young Dramatic Voices Opportunities in Orange County to attend an opera have dwindled since the 2008 collapse of its lone professional company While Parnassus Society brings opera to Soka only once a season it aims to expose more – and younger – people to the art form Last year about 200 tickets were purchased “This year I thought if we sold 250 tickets I’d be thrilled,” Tokita says Bodie says she also notices a more youthful audience – people in their 30s and 40s “Often when you go to an opera performance It is wonderful to begin to see younger people getting to know opera.” Tokita was in his 70s when he became a fan The Tokitas had long loved and supported classical music; they served on the board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic They listened to opera off and on but didn’t begin to really enjoy it until about a decade ago The Tokitas became totally enraptured after flying to New York City in 2020 to witness the famed mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick’s final performance at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. She sang the role of Amneris in Aida. “We were just overwhelmed,” Tokita says. “It was beautiful.” Tokita hopes the audience leaves Madama Butterfly with a similar feeling. The Rose Center Theater will present a highly anticipated Gala Performance of Something Rotten! on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM. This exclusive event will feature an evening of world-class entertainment, delicious dining, and local talent. What happens when two desperate playwrights try to outshine Shakespeare by inventing the musical? Total theatrical mayhem-and a whole lot of laughter. The Rose Center Theater will present the Broadway smash hit Something Rotten!, running June 27 through July 20, 2025, in Westminster, CA. The award-winning multi-hyphenate artist Colette Gregory returns to her Chicago home with her acclaimed one-woman show, Black Best Friend, as part of Steppenwolf's LookOut series June 12-14, 2025. South Coast Repertory has announced the casts and creative teams for its renowned Pacific Playwrights Festival. The highly anticipated showcase of new works, part of the theatre's new-play development arm—The Lab@SCR—begins Friday, May 2 and runs through Sunday, May 4. function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy The Florida Nature & Culture Center (FNCC) a retreat established by the Soka Gakkai International-USA (SGI-USA) in 1996 has filed a federal lawsuit against the US Army Corps of Engineers The legal action seeks to halt the construction of a reservoir and pump station near its property in Weston citing potential violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) including a 16-hectare wetland conservation area and serves as a hub for SGI-USA members to engage in Nichiren Buddhist practices which emphasize harmony with the natural environment According to the lawsuit filed on 30 December the planned construction would disrupt the retreat’s peaceful surroundings which are integral to its members’ religious activities “A central attribute of the FNCC retreats is that they are held in the serene and peaceful solitude of the FNCC,” the lawsuit states The center “has since been maintained and utilized exclusively for this purpose.” (South Florida Sun Sentinel) The contested C-11 Impoundment Project is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) authorized by Congress in 2000 to mitigate water loss from the Everglades and benefit endangered species The project involves a 405-hectare reservoir and a seven-story pump station near FNCC’s property While the CERP is aimed at supporting Everglades conservation the FNCC has alleged that the project’s design overlooks its impact on adjacent communities SGI-USA’s vice president of public relations stated that the Corps has disregarded their concerns since 2007: “Left with no other choice we decided to file a lawsuit to force the Corps to evaluate and consider the consequences of the C-11 Impoundment Project on adjacent properties like the FNCC including consideration of alternatives that mitigate the impacts of the Project,” (Religion News Service) The lawsuit claims that construction would produce noise potentially causing harm to FNCC’s property and sacred spaces The complaint also argues that changes to groundwater levels could destabilize the retreat’s buildings and wetlands The SGI-USA’s lawsuit contends that the Corps failed to adequately assess the project’s environmental and religious impacts violating the National Environmental Policy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act The group has requested a court-ordered halt to construction until a revised environmental impact statement is conducted “The recitation of mantras aiming to harmonize oneself with one’s environment (including the natural environment) and awaken to the inseparability of life and the environment are core tenets of Nichiren Buddhism,” the lawsuit states such tenets and practices make a peaceful natural environment a priority for SGI and a goal of the religious practices of Nichiren Buddhist members.” (Religion News Service) A spokesperson for the Corps declined to comment on the ongoing litigation the Soka Gakkai International has grown into a global Buddhist organization with more than 100,000 members in the US alone Known for its teachings on individual happiness and peace the group promotes dialogue and nonviolence has played a key role in fostering these values among its members the FNCC remains dedicated to preserving its tranquil environment SGI-USA’s engineers have highlighted potential risks posed by the construction including property damage and disruption to outdoor religious activities The lawsuit underscores tensions between environmental conservation efforts and religious freedoms raising broader questions about the balance between large-scale infrastructure projects and the rights of affected communities All Authors >> var _ctct_m = "e13686134fe4ed809d4f346e45779db5"; Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again 2024 at 4:50 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Manhattan's Soka Japanese Hibachi and Sushi opens for business Friday IL — The newest addition to Manhattan is set for its debut announced its opening on social media Wednesday The restaurant will offer both dine-in and carryout options please join us as we celebrate the grand opening of Soka Japanese Hibachi and Sushi," owner Stiven Lie shared on social media Soka opens just months after the late-May news of it moving into the space on North Street "Manhattan continues to draw attention as a prime location for businesses to thrive," Mayor Mike Adrieansen previously told Patch "We are dedicated to working with companies who recognize the potential and are eager to contribute to the community's growth." It's the newest addition to the business scene in Manhattan, with boutique Posh West also opening just last week Photos of the Soka menu are included below Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Bexon Harrison recently focused full time on swimming after doing that and water polo for much of his high school career Breaststroke specialist Landry Liston has announced her commitment to continue both her academic and athletic careers at George Mason University Lennox is a six-time 4A CHSAA State Champion Texas sophomore Brayden Taivassalo has announced that he is transferring to Arizona State University for the next season Backstroker and redshirt sophomore JT Ewing has confirmed he will transfer from NC State to Arizona State for the 2025–2026 collegiate season August 29th, 2024 College, College Recruiting, NAIA, News Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey is heading to SOKA University beginning this fall Cowan recently graduated from Castaic High School where she represented Paseo Aquatic Club at the club level I am extremely excited to officially announce my commitment to study and swim at SOKA University and coaches who helped make this incredible opportunity possible I could not have achieved this without their endless support I can’t wait for this next chapter to begin competes in the NAIA as a member of the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference (PCSC) To qualify for a 2nd swim in the 200/400 IM and Cowan’s 400 IM PB of 4:45.16 would have landed her in the ‘B’ final Cowan will look to establish an IM group for Soka as no swimmers swam the 200/400 IM this past season Soka has a small roster of only 6 Lions on their women’s team California as the only other freshman for the 2024-2025 season If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected] Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" More from Claire WongSee All Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our latest updates Soka University of America has the highest proportion of international students of any US college or university It found 43% of undergraduate students at the private liberal arts school originate from outside of the US A measure of the most populated international student bodies was included in the 2018 US News and World Report Best Colleges Rankings As well as coming out top overall, Soka University, a private institution based in Aliso Viejo, California, had the highest proportion of international students among liberal arts colleges. Meanwhile, Florida Institute of Technology came out top among other national universities with international students forming a third of its student body Soka’s director of community relations said attracting international students was largely down to word of mouth “A wonderful example is a senior we have from Nepal who was the first student from his country to come to Soka University,” she told The PIE News “This year we have six students from Nepal… because he went home and talked about it.”  “Soka University does not work with international education agents to recruit students,” Harder added Soka University was followed by Massachusetts’s Mount Holyoke College US News details the difference between the two categories saying that national universities “offer a range of bachelor’s master’s and doctoral degrees and emphasise research” while national liberal arts colleges “focus on undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in liberal arts fields” Florida Institute of Technology (33%) led New York City’s New School by a single percentage point (24%) and Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania (23%) And among the national liberal arts colleges whose student body was formed of 27% internationals St John’s College in New Mexico followed with 25% and Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and Earlham College in Indiana completed the top five with 23% apiece Soka University is also tied with Goucher College in Maryland for the percentage of 2016 graduating seniors who participated in some form of mobile study during their course 100% of the graduating students on four-year courses studied outside of the US for some period of time However details on the length of stay or type of international study are not immediately available Princeton University topped the overall US News rankings for national universities for the seventh year in a row Williams College (Massachusetts) reigns over other national liberal arts colleges for the 15th consecutive year About The PIE News Regions By 2025-01-10T09:45:00 It also plans to invest 5% in private debt – its first investment in the asset class Already a registered user or member? Sign in here Register Now The socially engaged Japanese Nichiren Buddhist organization the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) marked the 50th anniversary of its founding with a commemorative gathering at the SGI Guam Ikeda Peace and Culture Center on the Micronesian island of Guam in January memorializing the day when 158 representatives from 51 countries and territories gathered in Guam on 26 January 1975 for the First World Peace Conference “The SGI was inaugurated as a global association to support the faith and Buddhist practice of the growing numbers of individuals practicing Nichiren Buddhism with the Soka Gakkai around the world,” SGI said in a statement shared with BDG then Soka Gakkai President Daisaku Ikeda was appointed president of the SGI “Launching the SGI on Guam—the site of fierce fighting between American and Japanese forces during World War II and countless deaths of innocent civilians–was Ikeda’s vision He chose Guam as the symbolic starting point for this network committed to promoting understanding between cultures and actualizing peace.” the organization has evolved and expanded around the world to include some three million overseas members in addition to more than eight million households in Japan SGI added that the largest numbers of members were in Brazil with growing memberships in parts of Africa “Commemorative meetings took place around the world,” SGI noted “The focus was on marking a new start toward the next 50 years and on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the founding of the Soka Gakkai in 2030 participants recalled the speech given by Ikeda on 26 January 1975 in which he stressed that Buddhism is grounded in the philosophy of respect for the dignity of life and encouraged the members to live altruistically dedicating their lives to sowing the seeds of peace throughout the world and contributing to the happiness of others and the good of society.” Ahead of the anniversary celebrations, the SGI Global Perspectives Committee—which includes SGI leaders engaged in peace activities throughout the world—released a public statement on 15 January titled “Preventing the Use of Nuclear Weapons as a Step Toward a Peaceful World.”  Noting that “the risk that nuclear weapons might actually be used is today higher than at any time since the end of the Cold War,” the statement seeks to push forward two urgent proposals for the international community: the adoption of pledges of No First Use of nuclear weapons; and the establishment of an international center dedicated to the prevention of nuclear war “Policies of No First Use would necessitate rethinking national security frameworks and it would be crucial to develop systemic measures and assurances to alleviate nations’ fears and concerns,” said SGI Director General for Peace and Global Issues Hirotsugu Terasaki SGI proposes establishing a nuclear war prevention center staffed by military and political experts who could quickly identify critical situations and take measures toward de-escalation.” the Soka Gakkai (the Value Creation Society) is a Japanese Buddhist movement based on the teachings of the 13th century Buddhist priest Nichiren (1222–­82) Nichiren taught devotion to the Lotus Sutra believed to contain the teachings of the historical Buddha as the exclusive means to attain enlightenment Soka Gakkai centers its teachings on the Lotus Sutra with recitation of the mantra “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” (“Glory to the Dharma of the Lotus Sutra”) as its main devotional practice founded by Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023) in 1975 is an NGO with consultative status to UN ECOSOC As a global community-based Buddhist organization that promotes peace and education based on respect for the dignity of life the Soka Gakkai is involved in peace activism with members in 192 countries and territories around the world Some of the Soka Gakkai’s high-profile members have included actor Orlando Bloom Faced with the horrifying facts of nuclear proliferation we must call forth the power of hope from within the depths of each individual’s life We need a revolution in the consciousness of countless individuals―a revolution that gives rise to the heartfelt confidence that we will see a coming together of the world’s people their cry for an end to this terrible madness of destruction Soka Gakkai InternationalPreventing the Use of Nuclear Weapons as a Step toward a Peaceful World (Soka Gakkai) From Nichiren to Ikeda: The Soka Gakkai’s Socially Engaged Buddhism Soka University has consistently been striving for world peace and has taken many initiatives to promote friendship between Japan and China.  This project is a brief chronological record of exchanges with China from the time of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi By 2025-04-01T11:00:00 Construction industry pension fund will increase allocations to infrastructure A new Buddhist Community Center is set to open in the city of Sunnyvale a community just east of the city of San Jose The center will be home to a branch of the Soka Gakkai International which has operated a branch in nearby Santa Clara since 2003 members of the Soka Gakkai hope to move into their new space which is more than three times larger than their current home They plan to use the new location to host study sessions The Soka Gakkai congregation plans to open the community center daily with services held on weekday evenings and during the day on weekends The largest meeting is scheduled for the first Sunday of the month and is expected to attract 175–250 attendees The owners of the new community center have written a letter to the city of Sunnyvale describing expected noise levels from their new religious space “None of the activities held within the facility create any significant noise levels or noise that could be heard beyond the facility,” the letter states “Most activities create noise levels equal to what occurs in a typical office setting with small group meetings or gatherings.” (East Bay Times) Taking the place of a former fitness center the building’s existing parking lot will be remade to hold 93 parking spaces which will include four handicap-accessible spaces The surrounding area is home to a variety of industrial buildings which is near an established Buddhist temple marks the continuance of a trend in the South Bay area that has seen several Buddhist places of worship pop up throughout the region San Jose City Council approved a US$25 million project in 2023 that involves the construction of a Buddhist temple for ethnic Cambodians Located in San Jose’s Evergreen neighborhood the temple will be the largest built in the region for Cambodian Buddhists Last year saw the grand opening of a Vietnamese Buddhist temple The Soka Gakkai (Society for the Creation of Value) is a Buddhist religious organization founded in Japan in 193 and devotee of Nichiren Buddhism who hoped to reform the Japanese education system The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was founded in 1975 as an umbrella organization for Soka Gakkai and has since grown to become the most diverse form of convert Buddhism in the world the organization is known for vocal efforts toward nuclear disarmament American Buddhists made up about 1 per cent of the US population but the largest concentrations are in Hawaii and numerous counties in California The Pew Research Center stated that the US had the 13th-largest Buddhist population in the world in 2010 however this is forecast to rise to the 10th largest by 2050 with a projected population of 5.5 million Buddhists The first part of the serialized article “Learning the Origin of Soka Education” by Mr By 2024-07-11T10:00:00 The strategic investment target is worth 5% of the total assets of ZVK and ULAK By 2024-10-17T09:30:00 The biggest challenge ahead is to increase participation of savers in Capital Markets Union Mika Suzuki was appointed President of Soka University (Chairperson She is the first female President since the university was established in 1971 The 45th Annual Cherry Blossom Viewing Event (April 5 With the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to be presented to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) on 10 December,* the socially engaged Japanese Nichiren Buddhist organization the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) has announced that it will co-sponsor the Nobel Peace Prize Forum “Titled ‘Nukes: How to Counter the Threat,’ the public forum will feature 13 expert speakers including two hibakusha [atomic bomb survivors]—Dr director emeritus of the Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hospital founder of Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace—as well as three Nobel Peace Prize laureates,” the SGI said in a statement dated 5 December and shared with BDG.  is organized by the Norwegian Nobel Institute and co-sponsored by the University of Oslo and the International Forum for Understanding The SGI will also organize a Youth Dialogue with hibakusha at the University of Oslo “The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo inspires us all to work harder for nuclear weapons abolition,” the Soka Gakkai’s president “We hope this forum will see deep dialogue that appeals to the hearts and consciousness of citizens around the world Seventy-nine years have passed since the United States detonated atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to be presented to Nihon Hidankyo underscores the indelible impact of those attacks and both the possibilities and obstacles on the path to global peace “The afternoon will see a high-level panel titled ‘Avoiding Nuclear War: The Case for No First Use,’ co-organized by the University of Oslo in association with the Norwegian Nobel Institute,” the SGI noted “Aimed at risk-reduction and confidence-building the workshop will bring some of the same speakers together with other experts for in-depth discussion under the Chatham House Rule.” Some of the Soka Gakkai’s high-profile members include actor Orlando Bloom It is vital that humankind develop a shared consciousness that nuclear weapons are an absolute evil whose existence can never be justified―for any reason or under any circumstance We must promote the understanding that it is impossible to construct one’s own happiness and security on the fear and suffering of others; and this understanding must be coupled with the compassion empathy and courage to resist all attempts to do so * Buddhistdoor View: Nihon Hidankyo Wins 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, Underscoring the Ongoing Struggle for Nuclear Disarmament (BDG) We have decided to issue open badges to those who have completed our Japanese language teacher training course those who have completed our training course for social educator/social education officer qualifications and those who have completed the SOKA Select Pack please see the website of the Open Badge Network General Incorporated Foundation Soka University announced its first medium- to long-term plan as the "Soka University Grand Design.” In order for Soka University to continue to be a university of choice in a competitive environment in an era of declining birthrates and diversification we strategically outlined our goals and plans and announced our overall vision for the university and specific initiatives toward the founding 50th anniversary Students made the most of the various educational programs educational and research facilities mentioned above and demonstrated the results of their activities in many areas international conferences and competitions qualification examinations and career paths they won the outward leg of the Tokyo-Hakone relay university Ekiden race and placed second overall celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the university The greatest achievement of the past ten years has been the success of the students which was unimaginable before the implementation of the grand design With the construction of the Central Education Building the education and research environment on campus have improved Many students are able to devote themselves to their academic thanks to the people who support our university I would like to express my sincere gratitude to them I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the faculty and all others who have been involved in promoting the Grand Design initiatives over the past 10 years Click here for "Soka University Grand Design 2021-2030," which started in FY2021 The Soka Education Research Centre on Global Citizenship (SERC-GC) offers U of GH students an opportunity to be part of a small research group who are interested in the philosophy of Soka education and global citizenship Students selected to become members of this initiative are recognized as Research Assistants (RAs) “The mission of SERC-GC is to conduct research on Soka education’s application for educational and community settings with an emphasis on education for global citizenship and to contribute to local and international discourse on [this] research and its practical application,” said Dr “This cross-cultural experience offered by SERC-GC provides an excellent opportunity for the RAs to more deeply understand and demonstrate the characteristics of a global citizen.” Read Article "What Does it Take to Become a Global Citizen?" For inquiries, please email paul.sherman@guelphhumber.ca  Funding for SERC-GC has been generously provided by the Makiguchi Foundation for Education SERC-GC is eye-opening for any students who participate Being a research assistant prepared me with transferable skills as well as professional etiquette for entering the workforce I got to make new friends from different programs that I didn’t have a chance to meet before But the best part about SERC-GC is that as a research assistant you will represent the school to embark on a one-week trip to Japan the trip was not just an educational experience but also a chance to broaden my global perspective makes SERC-GC an invaluable experience that goes beyond the classroom It’s something that has truly enriched my academic journey and will have a lasting impact on my personal and professional life The Guelph-Humber campus is located on the treaty lands and traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and homeland of Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples. Learn more > Hiroaki Kamiguri says that he wanted to improve his English skills during his high school years He was accepted to Soka University as well as other well-known private universities but was attracted to the GCP program and decided to enroll at Soka University he honed his English skills and investigative abilities at GCP while also deepening his study of business administration which broadened his interests even further and led him to take classes in the Faculty of Faculty of Economics His four years of serious study with a goal in mind gave him rich experiences and solid skills that are no less than those of attending a prestigious university When I was in my second year of high school I participated in Soka University's open campus and learned about the GCP program I had a short conversation with the teacher who was the coordinator at the GCP booth "So there's a research-based program like this." I passed the entrance exams for other universities but I thought that studying in a small-group interdisciplinary program like GCP would be better for me to gain a broader perspective and internationality I participated in a selective fieldwork program and stayed in Los Angeles and I had a strong desire to study English more I would thoroughly strengthen my English communication skills I would be given travel and training expenses covered to do fieldwork in a developing country for about two weeks providing a sure-fire opportunity to test the English skills and thinking abilities I had acquired We split into groups and set themes for each genre and conducted research six months before our trip Our group considered the sexual and reproductive health of Filipino women under the theme of "Reproductive Health in the Philippines" in the category of health and hygiene and its influence is strongly reflected in daily life This includes the prohibition of contraception and abortion and there is the issue of the ease with which sexually transmitted diseases can spread We interviewed professors at Capitol University in Mindanao and spoke to various people in different positions and later compiled our findings into a report and presented it Since this was a theme that we had not faced much before it was a good learning experience in terms of thinking about Japan I didn't think about studying long-term when I first enrolled I chose Faculty of Business Administration because I wanted to become a certified public accountant and I also had the goal of acquiring English skills at the same time I knew that it would be difficult to study for the national exam and study English at the same time and I had heard from the teachers at GCP that I could improve my English skills while staying in Japan without studying abroad so I didn't think I needed to study long-term when I talked with a senior career support staff member who had experienced long-term study abroad in the fall semester of my first year I was deeply inspired by the excitement and elation he conveyed from his experience during his study abroad and when I thought about what I should prioritize now "I want to study abroad," so I decided to focus on the challenge of studying long-term I also wanted to learn business administration in depth at my study abroad destination so I narrowed down the study abroad programs offered by the faculty rather than exchange programs between universities to the ones I chose for my study abroad destination I studied business strategy in the seminar of Professor Koji Yoshimoto I was particularly interested in the proposition of how companies formulate strategies and engage with customers in response to market and macroeconomic environments which considers corporate business strategies using mathematical methods I was also impressed by the professor of business strategy at the Gustavson Business School "You Faculty of Business Administration students should also study economics which is like a salad." After returning to Japan I immediately took five courses in my fourth year: "Intermediate Microeconomics," "Finance," "Environmental Economics," "Introduction to Behavioral Economics," and "Intermediate Macroeconomics." In these classes I learned that economics is inseparably linked to corporate management I will be working as a general office worker in the general construction industry I believe this is a career path that will allow me to utilize the skills I have acquired at Soka University such as my studies at the Faculty of Business Administration the English skills I have acquired through GCP and studying abroad and the ability to passionately pursue things that interest me I am excited to be able to put into practice what I have learned at Faculty of Business Administration by taking charge of multiple construction sites and managing them responsibly I will take to heart the words of the HR person in my interview "You should master the content and experience that would normally take 10 years in just five years," and aim to learn and grow more than anyone else and become a professional in the financial field I feel like I have acquired the ability to set a theme to find something that I am passionate about and to explore it I believe this is a skill that will come in handy not only in my studies but in many situations in my future life and career Some of you who are about to enter university may feel confused because you are not sure what you want to study or what you want to do there are many people who are seriously devoted to something Study at Soka University seriously and with passion < Faculty of Business Administration > The Nomura Seminar Faculty of Business Administration is working on a practical project for the SDGs in collaboration with industry to learn how to evaluate companies from an environmental perspective students in the seminar worked to change the T-shirts made by student groups on campus into environmentally friendly ones We spoke to Hideaki Sakabe and Takahiro Nakagawa which won the Excellence Award at the university's second SDGs Good Practices Awards about the characteristics of the project and the thoughts behind it Sakabe: This project was started with the aim of focusing on and solving the environmental impacts such as the CO2 emitted when incinerating unwanted clothing and stock fabric and the marine pollution that accompanies disposal Nakagawa: When the project started in 2021 we made T-shirts from fabric that was scheduled to be discarded and sold them on campus we started to collect discarded clothing on campus recycle it into thread and use it to make new T-shirts Nakagawa: This project recruits organizations that want to make environmentally friendly T-shirts using recycled materials and subsidizes part of the cost of making the T-shirts on the condition that they measure their CO2 emissions Unlike previous "Fuku no Kimochi" projects that focused on discarded clothing this is a new initiative that reconsiders the environmental impact of newly purchased clothing Sakabe: We came up with this idea after noticing that student groups on campus were making original T-shirts for events such as the Soka University Festival We thought that by changing those T-shirts into environmentally friendly ones that can be worn for a long time and are recyclable we could contribute to Soka University becoming carbon neutral Nakagawa: I was worried about how to make students aware of eco-friendly choices T-shirts made from recycled materials cost two to three times more to produce than T-shirts made from regular materials By utilizing the SDGs Good Practices grant we aimed to keep the cost affordable for students and create an opportunity for more students to take action on environmental issues we explained the measurement methods to the student group and had them report the results of their measurements implement." Rather than simply adopting an environmentally friendly T-shirt and leaving it at that we also hoped that by having the students actually get their hands dirty and measure the results they would share our views on environmental issues Sakabe: We didn't want to compromise on making a T-shirt that could be worn for a long time so we were particular about selecting the material Nakagawa: The material we used this time is 100% recycled polyester It has the advantage that it is easy to measure the CO2 emissions throughout the product's life cycle from production to disposal it keeps its shape even after washing and dries quickly making it easy for students to use when made into T-shirts Sakabe: I was mainly in charge of administrative tasks and accounting I had a lot of interactions with people other than students such as the companies involved in T-shirt production the experts who gave lectures on measurement and related departments within the university and we had to make the T-shirts in time for the Soudai Festival in October so I felt like I was always under a deadline Nakagawa: I was in charge of the overall project design creating the design to be printed on the T-shirts I started studying design on my own about a year ago but this time I was entrusted with the task of solidifying the design based on the original proposals submitted by each organization which was also a practical learning experience I think we were able to accomplish this because we were able to cooperate with everyone despite the time constraints Nakagawa: Four student groups participated and we were able to make a total of 103 T-shirts It seemed like none of the students had a very positive image of recycled materials but when they actually tried on the finished T-shirts "Not only are they environmentally friendly they're also comfortable to wear," "They dry quickly after washing," and "The fabric is strong so I think I can wear them for a long time." I was very happy to see such positive feedback I think we were able to change the image that "environmentally friendly products are expensive and difficult to buy," and "you have to give up something in order to be environmentally conscious." Sakabe: According to our calculations under the guidance of experts I remember receiving positive feedback from companies and seniors about our own CO2 emission measurement "I didn't know you were doing something like this even as a student." I was able to research a cutting-edge topic in the Nomura seminar and put it into practice in a project Even in interactions with people outside the university we were committed to the idea that "students should do what they can," and the fact that we were able to accomplish this also led to our growth I think this was possible only because of the cooperation and warm support from Professor Nomura and the university staff I am truly grateful to all those who supported us we were very grateful for the environment where we could take on challenges as much as we wanted and receive advice when we stumbled What I felt from this project was the importance of humanism but working with students and other people involved to solve environmental problems and thinking from the standpoint of "makers In addition to the desire for the future of the Earth I also gained from being able to design a fair project that benefits both the students and the companies that make the T-shirts Sakabe: I think Soka University is a place where you can broaden your interests and curiosity Not only are there plenty of opportunities to try what you want to do but there are also faculty members and fellow students who will encourage you by saying "Why don't you give it a try?" These invisible connections I myself was able to learn more and have more experiences than I had imagined before enrolling I also took classes in the Faculty of Faculty of Letters which I had been interested in even before enrolling and I think I was able to learn in a way that satisfied me in both I hope you all enjoy a fruitful student life at Soka University in your own way Nakagawa: I think there are people who don't have a clear idea of what they want to do or what their dreams are when they enter university joined a seminar and was strongly drawn to environmental issues I also think that Soka University has an environment where you can take on challenges And there are people who support students who work hard Cherish the excitement and curiosity you have now I'm sure there is something you can accomplish at Soka University Cover SOKA International School Malaysia principal Dr Wendy Yee is known for her expertise in humanistic learning approaches that develop students' wisdom and compassion SOKA International School Malaysia principal Dr Wendy Yee is known for her expertise in humanistic learning approaches that develop students' wisdom In an era where technology evolves at lightning speed and global challenges grow increasingly complex the traditional education model—with its emphasis on rote learning and standardised testing—is rapidly losing relevance.At Soka International School Malaysia Principal Dr Wendy Yee is spearheading an educational revolution that prioritises wisdom and compassion over more traditional academic achievement Dr Yee brings with her a wealth of experience including having served as a think tank member for the Institute of Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports where she contributed to key national initiatives including the National Youth Index (2016–2022) She holds a PhD in Inter-Ethnic Education for Youth and a Master's in Youth Studies (Psychosocial Development through Performing Arts) from Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been recognised by the GOI Peace Foundation for her contributions to educational innovation.Dr Yee is known for her expertise in humanistic learning approaches that develop students’ wisdom and offers valuable insights for parents seeking schools that will prepare their children not just for exams Read also: A celebration of female leadership and impact Above Soka International School students engaging in Robotics Technology lessons Soka International School students engaging in Robotics Technology lessons “Technology has transformed education making knowledge and information available at the click of a button,” explains Dr Yee “The rise of social media and digital content has led to an overwhelming influx of information The critical question today is not just how much students know but how they discern between authentic and misleading information.”This new reality demands a fundamental shift in educational philosophy At the core of Soka International School’s philosophy is a humanistic approach to education that transcends conventional teaching methods.“Our philosophy in education is deeply rooted in the principles of Value-Creating Education which prioritises the development of the whole person—rich in humanity and intellect and dedicated to living a value-creating life,”  says Dr Yee “This approach differs significantly from traditional education models that often emphasise rote learning Above Dr Yee at the Soka International School Malaysia opening ceremony Dr Yee at the Soka International School Malaysia opening ceremony Rather than focusing solely on academic outcomes ensuring students develop the character and mindset needed to contribute meaningfully to society This philosophy manifests in practical ways throughout the school day “To translate this philosophy into practical actions our teaching methods encourage active learning and self-reflection rather than passive absorption of information,” Dr Yee explains “Education is brought to life through real-world applications and problem-solving activities that help students develop communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively.” At the heart of Soka International School’s educational philosophy is the concept of being a ‘genuine learner’ This focus cultivates an environment where continuous learning is valued mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth “This philosophy is not just for students,” explains Dr Yee “It is a mindset and practice embraced by the entire school community Above Soka International School Malaysia’s Compassion Day performance Above Purpose-based learning at Soka International School Malaysia Soka International School Malaysia’s Compassion Day performance Young people need emotional resilience and a sense of social responsibility to navigate life's complexities Social-Emotional Learning is integrated into daily routines helping students understand and recognise their own emotions and those of others. “Being young they naturally encounter challenges such as friendship conflicts “Through journalling and reflection sessions students are guided to process their experiences and develop healthier ways to express themselves and resolve issues.”This attention to emotional well-being is complemented by a robust support system “Students are supported by a strong pastoral care system who work closely together to provide individualised guidance and emotional support,” says Dr Yee Above Soka International School students engaging in Aikido Soka International School students engaging in Aikido As AI and automation reshape the workforce Dr Yee offers a compelling vision for how schools should respond to these changes.“The rapid advancement of AI and automation is reshaping the workforce with many traditional jobs becoming obsolete This shift presents a critical question: What will define human value in an era where machines surpass us in technical proficiency?” she asks “The answer lies in our uniquely human qualities; our ability to empathise The true foundation of future-proofing lies in shaping students into good human beings and education with a humanistic heart.”As Dr Yee eloquently states quoting the UNESCO Constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” This belief underscores her commitment to education as a pathway to peace and human flourishing “Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about awakening the inner potential of individuals to create happiness for themselves and others,” she concludes.For parents seeking schools that will truly prepare their children for the future Dr Yee’s work at Soka International School Malaysia offers a compelling alternative to traditional education—one that nurtures not just academic excellence and courage needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world Lessons for millions: 5 edtech startups from Asia to watch Swiss summer camps could be the missing piece in your child’s education The Mind Museum’s Mind Rover sets sail to bring inspired learning for all Please make use of it when walking around the campus alongside his two colleagues Jacob Mlay and Frank Mbise offering a glimpse into his life—from childhood to his political journey Both his family and his party believe his abduction is linked to his political role and website in this browser for the next time I comment This is an experiential workshop for high school students who aim to work in international cooperation or on the world stage It is a one-day program that includes lunch meetings with current students and alumni and a campus tour while exploring learning related to international cooperation The sponsor may receive a commission on purchases made from links With the quiet luxury aesthetic booming many of us are looking for ways to class up our interiors at the center of all gorgeous magazine spreads showcasing upscale modern homes are lush sofas made from premium materials these stunning pieces are generally unattainable But Soka Home's new line of sofas offers the same high-quality chic designs for a fraction of the cost of most upscale furniture manufacturers they're produced using sustainable practices so this is a luxury-for-all brand you can feel good about To make these modular sofas even more tempting, Soka Home is currently offering a 5% OFF sitewide code from now until September 30 Here are some of our favorite collections from Soka Home to help you pick the perfect luxury sofa The Domus collection is ideal for those who want a contemporary but ultra-functional sofa with clean lines and luxurious scratch- and water-resistant leather Available in a stunning black or beige shade this collection offers sophistication and style that will instantly upgrade your home's interior without distracting the eye from surrounding details The genuine leather is stuffed generously with HD foam and offers excellent breathability making Domus sofas a tantalizing option for those who enjoy lounging languidly in their living room this is the perfect option for those seeking to add a breath of life to their living room as well as more playful shades of deep navy blue If you love the flax linen sofas from Soka Home's Freedom collection but want something a touch more relaxed and flexible, you can't go wrong with the modular Tender collection light-as-air cushions rest atop a sturdy box frame that offers lots of support and what Soka Home describes as "cloud-like comfort." The Tender collection is still super luxurious and high-end but draws inspiration from the design philosophy wabi-sabi which values finding beauty in the imperfect and the natural and futon-like cushions make for a gorgeous The 101st Hakone Ekiden took place on January 2nd and 3rd Soka University entered the Tsurumi relay station in 17th place in the first section and passed the sash to Yoshida Hibiki for the second section also known as the "flower section 2" because it features the top athletes from each university he set the best record ever for a Japanese runner in the second section and temporarily pushed Soka University up to fourth place Yoshida Hibiki spoke about his thoughts on the ekiden and his future plans I transferred to Soka University in my third year and was very anxious about stepping into a new environment I was very nervous about whether I would really be accepted I thought it would be rude if I didn't match the names and faces of the ekiden club members and I didn't know who was a senior and who was a junior so I spoke to everyone in honorific language the atmosphere in the club was surprisingly good but I was blessed with the members of the ekiden club and I think I was able to grow little by little as an athlete and as a person And by overcoming the hard training of the summer training camp together I was able to become friends with everyone When I was a second-year high school student I participated in a city relay race held in Shizuoka Prefecture told me that I was a type of runner suited to mountain climbing which was what inspired me to aim for mountain climbing many people continued to tell me that I was suited to mountain running and I was impressed by the running of athletes such as Daichi Kanno of Aoyama Gakuin University and Ryuji Kashiwabara of Toyo University who were once called "mountain gods," and I began to admire them it is quite difficult to catch up with a team that is one minute behind on flat ground even a two or three minute difference can turn the tables but it's really cool to see a runner pass the one in front of you So I started aiming to become a mountain god which causes bone necrosis in the hip joints of my legs and for about a year I was unable to walk without wearing an assistive device my bones had repaired and I was able to walk by the time I started elementary school and in junior high school I wanted to run long distances I don't think I'm very good at sports other than running Around the summer training camp in my fourth year "I'll still run Section 5." Becoming a mountain god was my dream and those around me had also entrusted me with their wishes and cheered me on but at the same time I didn't want to disappoint those around me after I finished running the second section of the All Japan University Ekiden while practicing running up the mountains in preparation for Hakone I began to feel that I had been able to climb better as a freshman my running style has become much more beautiful and I think I have become a stronger athlete my level of climbing up the mountains has not improved I felt that "it's tough to become a mountain god." Thinking objectively it would be better for the team to get on track if I ran the second section and since our goal was to win the overall championship and I was confident that I had done what I needed to do in practice I had once decided to quit athletics before entering Soka University so I realized that being able to do athletics is not something to be taken for granted and the managers prepare and measure the athletes The dormitory that supported our lives also boasts excellent facilities that would put a company team to shame I realized that I was able to do athletics because of all of you and when I realized that even the toughness of running was a happy thing The reason I decided to become a professional was because I realized that I really love interacting with people through the tool of athletics I returned to my hometown and attended athletics events and competitions and I really enjoyed running with local junior high school students and adults I realized that meeting lots of people through athletics is what I enjoy and what makes me happy professional runners have no guarantee of a living so few people choose to become a professional runner My first goal as a professional is to win a medal in the marathon at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics African runners are strong in the marathon training methods and shoes have evolved year by year thanks to advances in sports science and the number of strong runners is increasing I have a chance to win and can reach for a medal Another reason I wanted to become a professional was because I wanted to be active in trail running Trail running is a type of running that involves running on various roads Rui Ueda is already active on the world stage in trail running but I also want to challenge myself in the Trail Running World Championships and create a new type of runner Soka University is not just a place to study hard but a wonderful university that values the importance of meeting people and making connections and the school has a culture that values the growth of each individual It was because of this environment that I was able to achieve the best record ever recorded by a Japanese student I hope that you will come to Soka University and discover your potential and encounters that will last a lifetime This book is a compilation of the Special Cultural Lectures given by Mr as well as other lectures given from time to time in the 21st century about various personalities It comprises mainly of those that were not included in “The Complete Works of Daisaku Ikeda.” The content is very diverse and includes topics/themes such as philosophy and is suitable teaching material for the young generation of liberal arts. In the age of AI at a time when the significance of liberal arts is being questioned Ikeda’s view of history and people is likely to provide encouragement and awareness to many people on and off campus The first volume contains lectures on Goethe and Dante. The second volume releazing next spring will include talks on Kant The “Beethoven and the Ode to Joy" Exhibition at Soka University has received praise from experts Toshio Yanagisawa (Conductor of the Balkan Chamber Orchestra Chief Conductor of the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra) visited the exhibition. For many years he has contributed to the coexistence and peacebuilding of the peoples of the Balkans (particularly in the former Yugoslavia) "I was amazed by the number of valuable materials Beethoven's message that 'All Men Shall be Brothers' comes through.” He also spoke to the students about the importance of cultural exchange through his experience in the Balkans. Prior to viewing the exhibition Yanagisawa met with President Masashi Suzuki political scientist Kang Sang-jung (Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo and President of Chinsei Gakuin University) visited the university. In addition to his research on the history and issues of nationalism he is also the director of the Kumamoto Prefectural Theater where he is dedicated to promoting culture. After observing the exhibition he said "It must be a good learning experience for the students to be exposed to such authentic works," "I gained a clear understanding that Mr Daisaku Ikeda’s love for Romain Rolland’s books led him to be drawn to Beethoven." Prof Kang was one of the keynote speakers at the International Symposium Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Meeting Between Zhou Enlai and Daisaku Ikeda held on the same day under the theme “Peace and Development through Dialogue.” The editor of the exhibition Prof Takao Ito of the Faculty of Letters explained the exhibits to the guests.  The “Beethoven and the Ode to Joy" Exhibition is on view until Friday Soka University of America is comparatively young standing next to other historic institutions that have racked up a century’s worth of legacy and alumni Soka will soon graduate its 20th class since opening the campus in Aliso Viejo But questions around “how old” an institution is don’t interest President Ed Feasel “The presidents adding to their curriculum and innovating are mission-centric and value-based,” he says “Others that have a long history—or even a short history—but don’t have that specific attention tend to maintain just a steady state.” Feasel’s experience as a higher education administrator is deeply rooted in SUA’s mission to develop global citizens Before becoming the private liberal arts school’s second president he was a founding faculty member and became the dean of faculty after SUA graduated its first class Feasel often reflects on a lecture given by Daisaku Ikeda founder of SUA and the Soka Gakkai Buddhist movement delivered at the Columbia Teachers College posed three values all worldly learners should walk away with: courage to learn from our differences compassion for others’ suffering and wisdom to see the interconnectedness of all life and living “We all have something that we’re struggling or suffering about,” Feasel says “We should have the compassion to want to help our peers and community overcome that and the wisdom and courage to realize we can take action to support each other.” As existential threats challenge colleges and universities’ survival Feasel faces the future with a powerful mission one he helps shape and one that sharpens his mind’s eye the country’s most pressing issues are usually happening on a global scale The first 20 years in Aliso Viejo helped build SUA’s foundation Listen to SUA’s mission for the next 20 years and beyond More from UB: What can private institutions do about the middle-class squeeze? About half of SUA’s 500 undergraduates are international Its student body represents more than 30 different countries and 40 U.S students regularly collaborate with colleagues from different nationalities This diversity also challenges faculty to design curriculum that challenges their perspective “I can’t just be US-centric,” says Feasel “I have to really think about making it relevant for all our students It’s not like how I taught at other institutions.” SUA can attribute some of its success in attracting such a robust student body to its general financial aid package that extends to all of its students Students—including those from abroad—whose families make less than $90,000 are awarded a full tuition scholarship the university has built a strong reputation SUA benefits from a yearly stream of first-year students hailing from Nepal “It’s a testament to the quality of our education and the opportunity we provide for these students work here and/or return to their home country,” Feasel says Feasel has been with SUA before it gained accreditation two decades ago Now that it’s built a solid reputation among college hopefuls SUA’s next evolution involves reengaging its proud alumni base and they wish they could support us,” Feasel says “They’re supporting us financially but I could also sense this eagerness to engage with their alma mater on concrete issues.” Enter the Soka Institute for Global Solutions SUA is inviting alumni from around the world to collaborate on three projects at the core of SUA’s mission: assisting underresourced K12 districts to develop worldly curriculum cultivating perspective and policy against nuclear arms and establishing reconciliation efforts across East Asia Five alumni have returned to SUA to become faculty and present their work alongside 20 experts from around the world “What better way to carry SUA’s tradition than in a lifetime learning and engagement capacity?” Feasel on how SIGS fortifies global citizenship efforts around the world We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Click to view our cookie policy We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns is a graduate of the first batch of the SIPS program Monica completed a bachelor's degree in History from St and spent one year as an exchange student from the institute at Soka University This was where she started to develop a deep connection with Soka University Her positive experience at the university motivated her to explore the program further and she was particularly excited by the course offerings in women’s studies These courses aligned with her academic and personal interests ultimately leading her to pursue a Master’s degree in this interdisciplinary and globally focused program Monica’s experience at SIPS is both challenging and rewarding she faced some initial hurdles but found the coursework intellectually stimulating and relevant to her future career The friendships and connections she made with fellow students and faculty members were invaluable and the program's focus on global issues has been instrumental in shaping her approach to her work she pursued a career in children’s stories publishing to bring books to marginalized children beginning with StoryWeaver at Pratham Books and currently working with the Sauramandala Foundation as part of ‘The Forgotten Folklore Project.’ The SIPS program’s emphasis on understanding social complexities and community-focused solutions has been central to her current career She regularly applies the skills and perspectives she gained at SIPS to navigate real-world challenges while staying true to her ideals Monica encourages all of us to cultivate strong relationships with our peers and approach our studies with an open and nuanced mindset She emphasizes that personal and intellectual growth is a continuous process and the SIPS program will offer ample opportunities for both Geetanjali Dhankhar is a SIPS 3rd batch graduate from India dedicate themselves to teaching underprivileged students Geetanjali was inspired to follow a similar path as her parents After completing her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in law and environmental protection she worked with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) focusing on equal rights for vulnerable communities Her work on SDG 16 led to a partnership with the Government of India to reform the country’s justice system Geetanjali’s deep interest in peacebuilding sparked by her involvement with Soka Gakkai’s 'Seeds of Change' exhibition led her to pursue a Master's in Peace Studies at Soka University Geetanjali’s decision to enroll in the SIPS program was motivated by her desire to address the pressing social issues she witnessed in her work across conflict-ridden regions of India Observing the struggles of indigenous communities inspired her to seek further education in peace studies with its diverse curriculum and esteemed faculty offered the ideal platform to deepen her understanding of global peacebuilding Geetanjali encountered a diverse student cohort and initially struggled to adapt to new ways of learning the compassionate support from faculty and staff especially through courses focused on value-creating education and global citizenship Geetanjali’s thesis on women in peacebuilding was published as a chapter in a book solidifying her contributions to the field Geetanjali teaches courses on a) Diversity and b) Conflicts and Culture of Peace at O.P The knowledge and values she gained at SIPS are directly integrated into her teaching encouraging students to connect peacebuilding theories to real-life experiences Geetanjali aims to inspire her students to think critically about peace as an everyday practice and teaches with an open mind and heart of learning together with her students Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Singapore straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Singapore without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Singapore It’s all about high energy and good vibes at The Elephant Room this weekend Popular Bangalore-based bar Soka is bringing the party from India for just one night with drinks including the Mofo Don and I Blame Jasmine a gin-based carbonated cocktail with housemade floral cordial Pair your booze with Soka’s Indian-inspired dishes like the prawn tostada or Soka friend chicken with raw mango chimichurri Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us Global citizenship and Soka education: How Dr Paul Sherman is leaving his mark on U of GH Inspired by a speech on the strong value of education delivered by his mentor Daisaku Ikeda in Japan in 2010 He decided to apply for the role of Program Head Family & Community Social Services (now known as Chair Community Social Services) – and has never looked back He’s also the Director of the University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) Soka Education Research Centre on Global Citizenship (SERC-GC) which provides students the opportunity to conduct research on the applications of the Japanese learning philosophy of Soka for educational and community settings While he will continue his role as Director of SERC-GC Sherman reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave at U of GH and shares his uplifting philosophy on life as he retires from his duties as CSS Chair on Dec “I try not to avoid the inevitable struggles that I’ll face because if I’ve overcome the struggle then the experience has taught me to become a better person,” he said Mayumi Watabe is a graduate of the SIPS 5th batch from Cebu passionate and driven individual hailing from Cebu She completed her undergraduate degree from Soka University of Japan (SUJ) with a focus in Cross-Cultural Communication and a minor in International Japan Studies in 2022 Daisaku Ikeda’s vision of a humanistic education for peace and justice This inspiration shaped her decision to pursue graduate studies in peace education at the SIPS program Mayumi also felt a deep calling to education and she realized that reform was necessary—one where learners of all ages could thrive and contribute to society without losing their authenticity Mayumi’s time in SIPS was transformative The rigorous coursework pushed her beyond her comfort zone but the open dialogues between professors and students helped her develop a nuanced worldview The support from her batchmates and advisor was instrumental in helping her build confidence and embrace her authentic voice SIPS not only broadened her academic knowledge but also deepened her understanding of herself and her purpose in life Mayumi also successfully completed her master thesis on Participatory Drama and Conflict Transformation which reflects her commitment to cultivating peace through creativity Mayumi works as an English Language teacher at Kansai Soka High School Her long-term goal is to contribute to and strengthen the curriculum for peace education Mayumi also aims to make a positive impact on her students’ lives beyond the classroom helping them realize their potential in line with the values of Daisaku Ikeda Each day is an opportunity to embody these values and support her students in discovering their deepest abilities just as she was guided during her time in the SIPS program To the current and prospective students of SIPS: Mayumi encourages us to believe in our truth and come as who we are This is the exact place for self-reflection The program needs our unique contribution to peace and peace studies Never let go of what is most important to us she hopes that all of us build lifelong bonds during our time in SIPS SIPS is a family and all our graduates are joyfully anticipating the great changes only us can make “Soka is becoming a ramen battleground with more and more delicious ramen shops opening up,” I was told by a person from the Soka Chamber of Commerce & Industry I met while covering a news story He even sent me a PDF of a list of 10 recommended ramen shops in the city tantanmen … Looking at the descriptions of the recommended dishes at each shop I was interested in “Number Nine 09,” which is popular for its mazesoba (mixed noodles with no broth) and tsukemen (dipping noodles) so I went as a customer first and later requested an interview please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent By Futoshi Mori / Japan News Senior Writer the first thing that comes to mind is Soka rice crackers a post town during the Edo period (1603-1867) where haiku poet Matsuo Basho walked through and wrote about in “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.” There is also Soka Matsubara park which still retains the scenery of the pine trees that lined the road at that time the charm of ramen has been added to this historic city The stylish-looking exterior of Number Nine 09 which is about a 5-minute walk from the east exit of Soka Station on the Tobu Skytree Line after which he would leave the operations to his employees When I entered the stylish-looking establishment Sawaki was in the middle of preparing everything in the kitchen just beyond the counter and a young male staff from the Soka Chamber of Commerce & Industry who was accompanying me on the interview ordered the mazesoba black The thick noodles are topped with a variety of ingredients and before eating you must mix them thoroughly with the sauce and oil at the bottom of the bowl This made me feel a bit like I was destroying a newly created beautiful work of art “Seafood oil makes it relatively light and easy to eat.” Just like he said The ingredients on top of the noodles were a paste made from mackerel simmered in miso “magic powder” made from various spices and fish powder on top of dried seaweed green onions and half of a soft-boiled egg Even though there were so many ingredients mixed together it surprisingly all came together to create a unique and delicious flavor Shop owner Takayoshi Sawaki puts boiled noodles into two bowls which are specially ordered from a noodle factory They have a glutinous texture and take 4½ minutes to boil With the cost of noodles and seasonings rising all noodle shops want to increase their table turnover rate and secure profits but Sawaki likes the thick noodles and there are many fans who come for this flavor so he has no intention of changing them even if the table turnover rate is low the mazesoba black was ready and placed on the counter This one had a sauce made from chili bean paste and black sesame poured over the top and it also contained sansho (Japanese pepper) I could definitely taste the sansho pepper probably thanks to the cheese that I could also taste a mild flavor in the midst of the spicy sharpness Tsukemen is the most popular dish at the shop You can enjoy adjusting the flavor by adding soup to leftover noodles The sauce to put on top of the noodles of mazesoba black The tsukemen I had when I visited the shop as a customer last time was also delicious Sawaki told me that it is more popular than the mazesoba It is served in a thick pork and seafood broth you can enjoy a variety of different flavors,” says Sawaki there were thermoses of soup made from bonito stock which you can add to your noodles if you get tired of the flavor I left some of my mixed noodles and added the soup making it easier to eat and leaving a very delicious aftertaste There is also vinegar and chili oil on the counter so you can enjoy adjusting the flavor to your own liking “I used to be a construction worker,” says Sawaki strong build and fearless face he still had that look while he was wondering whether he should continue to work in the construction industry doing hard physical labor he happened to walk into a small ramen shop Seeing how a mother and son were running the place “It would be nice to own a shop like this.” who had never even held a cooking knife before He trained for six years at a now closed famous ramen shop called Tsubaki in Nishiarai He says the shop had a huge impact on him with its delicious tonkotsu seafood tsukemen so I decided that my lucky number is 9 and named the shop after it.” Information on additional noodle and topping options which serves ramen menus based on fish on Wednesdays “I often start preparing at half past midnight,” Sawaki says he prepares the pork and seafood broth before the shop opens the shop has become a popular long-established eatery in Soka although there is a customer who makes the two-hour drive from Chichibu but I can keep doing it because I love it,” Sawaki said It’s a serious battle for both the cook and the diner There are many ramen restaurants in Japan that have a tremendous passion for ramen and I’d like to introduce to you some of these passionate establishments making the best of my experience of enjoying cuisine from both Japan and around the world 【ラーメンは芸術だ！】ラーメン激戦区・草加で人気の「ナンバーナイン０９」店主が夜通し仕込む骨太の一杯 Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun has a strong background in environmental education and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Mumbai With six years of experience working for non-profits Macson has also contributed to wildlife conservation as a researcher in northern India helping create a comprehensive database of tiger populations His dedication to environmental causes and education reflects a deep commitment to sustainability and social impact While he initially envisioned studying in Europe the Peace Studies program at Soka University stood out as a unique opportunity to explore global issues from a distinct perspective Confident that SIPS would align with his passion for social and environmental change Macson decided to enroll in the program as a 5th batch student Macson found a strong sense of unity with classmates from nine different countries He recalls the invaluable support from this diverse group noting how they worked together on academic and programmatic initiatives despite their differences he would not have been able to make the connection between peace and environmental education so he is grateful to have had access to his advisor Macson is working at M&G Communication School employing a different approach towards education by using his skills and academic knowledge that he has learned in SIPS to incorporate and create a new curriculum based on Peace and Environmental Education Macson offers such encouragement: Keep believing in yourself and continue to excel in what your passion is Getting an entry in the SIPS course means you are already excellent and you can only go higher from here co-founder and co-owner of the social design studio The Inoue Brothers.. shared his entrepreneurial journey and insights with students He emphasized the importance of using design thinking to creatively contribute to society while maintaining passion and purpose a country known for its values of equality and democracy Inoue often engaged in debates with his teachers nurturing critical and independent thinking—values deeply ingrained in Danish society which influenced Soka University’s educational philosophy Inoue highlighted the immense challenges facing today’s youth but expressed hope for the future citing efforts by young people to establish a think tank at the UN to generate new ideas a country known for its transparency and good governance but also facing issues such as high suicide and divorce rates Opening his talk with an excerpt from his book Inoue reflected on his father’s life philosophy his immigrant upbringing in Denmark with his brother and his transition from a graphic designer to a social entrepreneur After establishing himself as a successful designer in Copenhagen he and his brother decided to leave their jobs to create The Inoue Brothers... motivated by a desire to address global challenges such as climate change whose fight for environmental justice resonates deeply with him Inoue stressed the importance of education encouraging young people to educate themselves about their future noting how 5 million children have since rallied behind Thunberg’s cause earning her praise from figures like David Attenborough the brothers sought to give back to society by helping communities in need but after meeting alpaca herders in Bolivia and Peru They built their business on three key principles: social entrepreneurship sustainability (including racial and gender equity) and a refusal to accept corporate investors Rejecting greed as a driving force in business The turning point came when the brothers realized that despite the value of alpaca fleece By adopting a direct trade model that cut out middlemen they ensured the herders received a larger share of the profits This model was later introduced to Japan after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake Direct involvement with their partners in production and distribution became central to their business which promotes fair trade and sustainability while rejecting profit-driven corporate investors and that design and branding should be used as tools for positive social change This philosophy continues to drive The Inoue Brothers.. such as the survivors of the Tohoku earthquake or Palestinian refugees Inoue is particularly focused on humanizing Palestinian culture and sharing its beauty with the world Inoue discussed the challenges of entering social entrepreneurship noting the financial hurdles they overcame by using their own savings and personal time to ensure the company’s sustainability He stressed that if you’re passionate about something When asked whether the communities they help could afford their products Inoue explained that the workers and even himself are not the target market By selling high-end products to wealthy customers the company can redistribute wealth to improve the well-being of the workers and their communities Inoue highlighted the importance of achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly the fight against poverty and the promotion of gender equality He stressed that no sustainable development can occur while people struggle to meet basic needs or where women are not treated equally are essential steps toward a sustainable future 1. What was your Tohoku Earthquake project about Inoue believes that art should serve the betterment of society He wanted to support individuals in Tohoku His approach to funding is “old school,” relying on earning money through production rather than passive investment He emphasized that successful individuals are driven by passion 2. What was the biggest lesson that shaped who you are today Inoue sought advice from a respected mentor By confronting the fear of failure through “image training,” he was able to overcome it and move forward with new ventures 3. Are you afraid of losing what you have Inoue clarified that he is not anti-capitalist but resists profit-driven motives He criticized how companies like Apple are now more influenced by investors than their original founders should be used to foster connections instead It took eight years for The Inoue Brothers to break even Inoue advises entrepreneurs to expect a 10-year timeline to reach that point He used his income from graphic design to fund new projects What about disaffected youth and their voting patterns today Inoue noted that young people in Japan often seem disengaged they can move collectively in a positive direction This kind of trade became part of the brothers’ way of business being directly involved with their partners in the production and distribution of goods Not only were fair and direct trade featured in their company’s mission statements but they were also promoting sustainability and refusing money from profit-driven corporate investors and that is how they were able to grow their business positively a student asked if the workers from the communities that The Inoue Brothers… help would be able to afford their products The Inoue Brothers… is able to use that money to help the workers and improve their communities’ well-being he believes his company is acting as a positive force Inoue mentioned the importance of achieving the SDGs stating that the most essential ones to tackle are fighting poverty and promoting gender equality The social entrepreneur said that no sustainable development in the world can exist while people still struggle to attend to their basic needs or where women are not treated equal to men By empowering women and eradicating poverty Inoue believes that a sustainable world can finally be within our reach It is up to each individual to do his/her part to help Satoru Inoue who owns and runs The Inoue Brothers conducted creative dialogue sessions with the IBSP students on Dec Titled “Can fashion be a force for good?” he argued that “social entrepreneurship” is not just pursuing profit but aiming for social values and positive changes in society through business Fashion (and its expression) has been a source of personal identity and expression and is deeply connected to human nature and behavior But the fashion industry is also the third most polluting industry in the world He explained in depth the three institutional guidelines of The Inoue Brothers the students presented the findings of their research Inoue inspired the students’ minds and encouraged them to become more conscious consumers and members of the global society the Faculty of International Liberal Arts and the Center for Malaysian Studies co-hosted a research seminar by Dr a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research School-Based Attendance Intervention Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Preschools chronic absenteeism is pervasive among preschoolers attending publicly funded programs due to several reasons including low student motivation and parental misbelief about the values of preschool education A program called Un Buen Comienzo (UBC) was implemented in public preschools in Chile which aimed to increase children’s attendance through interventions such as enhancing student motivation by displaying attendance boards in schools and fostering parent involvement Using the difference-in-differences analysis she examined the effectivness of this program and showed that the intervention reduced the number of absences and chronic absenteeism. Following her presentation the attendees engaged in a lively Q&A session We are posting information about an introduction of current and alumni students and much more about the FILA on Instagram and Twitter