A safer future!Safety education at Kansai University of International Studies
* In consideration of safety, the mask is removed only when taking pictures.
The largest number of universities in Kansai!The number of student disaster prevention specialists trained exceeds 1000.
At Kansai University of International Studies, one of our educational goals is “safety and security,” which is indispensable in modern society, and we have been working on our own safety education. In the fall of 2016, the “Disaster prevention specialist training course” started, and by the end of 2021, 1237 student disaster prevention specialists will be produced.
This greatly contributes to raising the level of disaster resilience in the region.Professor Masahiko Murata, director of the Safety Management Education Center, looked back on the efforts made so far and talked with graduates and students about the importance of "learning about disaster prevention."
The skill of "disaster prevention" that can be used in society
Six years have passed since the establishment of the Safety Management Education and Research Center and the opening of a certification course for disaster prevention specialists (civic disaster prevention leaders) certified by the Japan Disaster Prevention Agency.Mr. Nakaseko is the first generation of student disaster prevention specialists born at our university.Moreover, I am very happy that I am currently working in a company related to disaster prevention.
This course was the first time I learned about disaster prevention in earnest, and the first time I learned about my current workplace.It was a big turning point for me.
I have asked your company to give lectures from the first time.
yes. Protecting people's safety through the development of disaster prevention administrative radio systems for municipalities, etc., using acoustic technology that "transmits clear sound over a wide distance". When I learned about the existence of a company that was working on the big mission of "saving lives," I felt strongly that I wanted to work here too!
Mr. Hirabayashi has just fulfilled his dream of becoming an elementary school teacher in his hometown.
Teachers play a major role in teaching children how to protect their own lives and how to protect their hometowns.I am really glad that I was able to study safety education in parallel with pedagogy at this university.I was born and raised in Kuroshio Town, Kochi Prefecture, where it is said that if a Nankai Trough earthquake occurs, a tsunami of 34.4m, the highest in Japan, will occur.
Kuroshio Town is known for its tsunami evacuation towers and its active dissemination of information, making it an advanced area for disaster prevention measures.I would like you to make use of the knowledge of disaster prevention in education.On the other hand, Mr. Miyamoto majors in disaster prevention and crisis management, so disaster prevention is his specialty.
But to be honest, when I entered the school, I didn't have a strong feeling about "disaster prevention".Professor Murata invited me to a local disaster prevention event, and I joined the KUISs BOSAI student disaster prevention circle.Before I knew it, I was becoming more and more specialized.
The founder of that circle is Mr. Medieval Ko.
In 2017, I launched it with a friend who was also certified as a disaster prevention expert.It was fun to eat and compare various disaster preparedness foods in Professor Murata's laboratory.It started loosely at first, but now it's expanding its activities.
Participate in local disaster prevention activities, obtain a first aid extension worker's qualification, and teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation to classmates and juniors. At the end of 2020, we were also commissioned to support evacuation shelter operations in Miki City.I am involved in so many activities that even I am surprised.
No matter what path you take in the future, I'm sure this experience will be useful.
That's right. In lectures such as "Corporate Crisis Management Theory" and "International Disaster Prevention Cooperation," I listened to many vivid stories of people involved in disaster prevention from various standpoints, such as companies, governments, international organizations, and NPOs. I don't think so.
Ms. Miyamoto teaching children how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
commission ceremonyGo out into the world and learn about disaster prevention globally
Our university has a full range of programs on the theme of disaster prevention in the overseas training program "Global Study".
I participated in "Earthquake Disaster Prevention Education in Indonesia".Together with students from various countries, we planned disaster prevention materials and held workshops at elementary schools in Yogyakarta. With the theme of "Let's think about what to bring in your disaster prevention backpack!", we incorporated game elements to make learning fun for children.It was also a good experience for me to try my best to exchange gestures while going back and forth between Indonesian, English, and Japanese.
I participated in the global study three times in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.At first, he was keenly aware of his lack of knowledge, but the more he acquired disaster-related knowledge at university, the more he learned about it in the field.It was difficult to discuss with students from various countries with different cultures, but I feel that I have grown a lot thanks to this experience.
I participated in a disaster prevention workshop for foreigners living in Miki, although the program was replaced by a domestic program due to the effects of the new coronavirus.
A vision of the future was born from “learning”
Is there anything that you think has changed or grown as a result of learning about disaster prevention?
In disaster prevention activities, we have to carefully communicate to children, the elderly, locals and foreigners from their respective standpoints.I think that I have improved my communication skills by repeating such activities.
You have a very wide field of view.Especially in global studies, common sense in Japan does not work overseas.By experiencing the diversity of cultures and positions, I came to think of approaching any issue from various angles and coming up with multiple answers.Also, since it is important to “always assume the worst” in disaster prevention, it has become normal for me to think “worst case, this could happen” even in my daily work.Then you can take the initiative and avoid making irreversible mistakes.
My perception of what it means to be a teacher has completely changed.Globala When he visited the disaster area in Indonesia on Rustadi and witnessed the damage to the city, he felt a strong desire to protect his hometown.As a teacher, I came to feel strongly that I want to nurture in children a love for their hometown. It is important to warn people that a big tsunami is coming!Conversely, the fact that the risk of tsunamis is great means that we are always receiving great blessings from the sea.I would like to convey such a positive aspect, and foster the will to tackle disaster prevention positively.With that in mind, I wrote my graduation thesis with the title "Disaster prevention education that makes you want to go back to your hometown."
It is wonderful.I am looking forward to the future where I can learn more here.
