Campus is not the only place to learn!
Distributing <Astroboy currency> and withdrawing it from circulation (at Asian grocer's shop called <Shikuro>)
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An education volunteer student, who was dispatched to a school, with schoolboys and girls
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A student visited craftsman's workshop and talked with him. There are numerous tools at this workshop
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An Academic symposium. President Shirai was one of the panelists
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Waseda University has concluded educational agreements with Shinjuku Ward (March, 2003), Suginami Ward (May 2003), Kawaguchi City (July 2003), Tokorozawa City (January 2004), and Taito Ward (February 2004) on the model of "agreement between industry, universities and the government" with Sumida Ward in December 2002. Cooperation with local communities has been promoted not only by these agreements but by other liaisons with local people in recent years.
Since its establishment Waseda University has been called "a gateless university", and "a university for common people", and has developed in step with local communities. Campus is not the only place to learn and add to your experiences. Many hints can be gained from contact with local communities.
CASE 1 Activities Involving the Local Community in Shinjuku-ku
Shinjuku Ward has promoted many projects such as the cooperation with local shopping areas. Now Shinjuku Ward has concentrated its resources upon the "Atom (Astroboy) currency". Do something good for the earth, for the community, or for an individual, and you will receive "Astroboy" notes that can be used at participating stores in the Takadanobaba and Waseda areas. In the volunteer teacher project that started in 2002, a total of 210 teacher training students have been sent to municipal primary and junior high schools. Through assisting in classes and extracurricular activities, they have gained valuable teaching experience. The University is now advertising for volunteers for the present school year.
Information
Astroboy currency: WAVOC(Ikuo Hirayama memorial volunteer centre)
[URL] http://www.atom-community.jp/
See Waseda Weekly No. 1027 for a related article.
Education volunteer: Office of the School of Education, tel. 03-3232-3599.
This year the project will be carried out at Suginami ward as well. See a field report of Waseda Weekly No. 999 (Japanese)
CASE 2 Getting Involved in Taito Ward
In Taito Ward, community support activities have been performed mainly by the "Liaison Office of Science and Engineering". A science experiment classroom called "Uni-Lab" (University laboratory) " for elementary and junior high school students, has been started by the School of Science and Engineering, and the "Let's attend a university class" project by the Liaison Office is sort of the Taito Ward version of Uni-Lab. The project has a three year history, and the number of lectures and the number of participants have increased every year.
In addition, recently local commodity exhibitions have been held at empty shops under the supervision of faculty members at Waseda to encourage people to visit their local shopping areas. This project aims at stimulating the local community, and its leading volunteer members are students of the Schools of Education, and Science and Engineering and GITS.
Moreover, Waseda Institute of Visual Communication and Taito ward have started a cooperative project to arrange and systematize historical photos, and to exhibit and study the archives concerning traditional craftwork, and to open design seminars. Students of GITS, the Art and Architecture School, and the School of Social science are playing an active part.
Information: The Institution of visual communication
[URL] http://www.meta-design.org/vis_com/
CASE 3 Returning Intellectual Investment to Society: the Case of Tokorozawa
Tokorozawa City has organised a "college for adult citizens", in which Waseda was allotted some classes. The University established a Heisei Period Edo primary school (Terakoya), the "Tokorozawa School of Sports Science". Last December, classes started at the Tokorozawa campus, and many citizens visited the campus. On the other hand, in the city centre, the University has started "academic symposia" that are open to the public, where faculty members talk with local school teachers. University students can attend some of the classes. Wouldn't it be stimulating for you to study together with adults who have a lot of social experience? The University has an internship programme, and some Waseda students will work as city staff members.
Information: Tokorozawa College for adult citizens
[URL] http://www.tokorogaku.jp/current/ss/namase/kouza/index.html
First drafted 2004 June 11.