I am extremely proud and pleased as the President of Nanzan University to have the program of the Department of British and American Studies, "for the development of students' English communication ability to enable them to stand at the forefront of the multi-cultural, global society", chosen in 2009 as a GP (Good Practice) Program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Here at the Department of British and American Studies, we strive to develop people who possess not only superior language skills, but a profound understanding of other cultures and international relations.

In order to achieve this goal, this program specifically has three unique feature of education:

The students will hold international workshops with guest educators and students from universities all over the globe and make presentations in joint symposiums at universities abroad, all of which will be planned and coordinated primarily by the students. Through these actual experiences, it is our greatest hope that our students will develop their skills in dealing with cultural differences, learn more about other cultures, and develop their ability to put forth their message to the world through highly developed English communication skills.

As "Nanzan, the place of language", we will continue to challenge ourselves to improve in the area of language study. In the years to come, however, we hope to change from a place to learn the language English to a place to learn "in English". This goal is of utmost importance to our students, but also to our faculty, researchers, all involved in the improvement of our school.

This program’s work to create opportunities for exchange between students and educators, both from within and outside the country, and further have students plan, run, and present the results of workshops and symposiums at the department level, is the first step in our school’s "Grand Design" for self-improvement.

"Only at Nanzan" could this program, with its high level of student members, be put into practice and it is our greatest hope that this program will maximize the potential in each of the students.

President of Nanzan University Michael Calmano