Readers' contribution : Waseda University could be more “glocal”

Global Information and Telecommunication Institute (GITS) PhD student, First Year
Alushiharb Abdullah

I think that Waseda University greatly contributes to progress and to the development of such fields as education and cultural exchange in a world characterized by rapid globalization. It is natural for people visiting Japan from foreign countries to consider Waseda their top choice for a university to study at. Many undergraduate and graduate schools have an open educational system for international students. Waseda University has classes in English, administrative staff speaking fluent English who can help us, a student health insurance system, and various scholarships. Even the international students who speak only their native language and English seem to enjoy a comfortable school life.

I experienced one disappointment recently, however. Waseda has supported us in the project of applying the skills and abilities that we acquired at university in our native countries. I felt this strongly when I received the diploma for my master's degree at the graduation ceremony. The diploma was written in Japanese, however. Although I was very happy to receive the degree, I was surprised and disappointed that the diploma was written only in Japanese. Because the diploma for my B.A., which I took at another university, was written in English as well as Japanese, I assumed that the same would be true of my Waseda M.A. diploma. There are few people who can read Japanese in my country, Saudi Arabia. I cannot share the pleasure I feel at receiving my M.A. with family members and friends who supported my study abroad. In addition, even if I display my diploma at home or work, nobody will understand what it is.

This story is relevant to all international students of Waseda University. I am not saying that M.A. diplomas should be written the in native language of each student. I would just like the university to write the diploma in English, which is a global language. As an international student, I suggest this as a way for Waseda University to maintain its position in the world as a “glocal university”.