SMU signs cultural, educational agreement with Japanese schools
Attending a cultural and educational agreement signing ceremony at Saint Mary’s University were, from left: front, Tony Piscitiello, SMU vice president for admission; Dr. Jeff Highland, SMU provost; Shizuo “Alex” Kishaba, the chairman of the Ryuku American Historical Research Society; back, Choyu Takamine, educational superintendent of Nanjo City; Keishun Koza, major of Nanjo City; Kunio Arakaki, major of Kitanakagusuku Village; and Seiichi Oyakawa, state assembly representative.
WINONA, Minn. — On April 27, Saint Mary’s University administrators signed a cultural and educational agreement with the Ryuku American Historical Research Society, located in Okinawa, Japan. The two groups have agreed to “create and nurture an educational and cultural collaboration to enhance international goodwill, and promote the personal and professional development of their students, graduates and faculty.”
The agreement states that Saint Mary's will regularly offer and host a summer English and American culture program for students from the Okinawa schools affiliated with the Ryukyu American Historical Research Society (RyuBei Kai).
RyuBei Kai and its affiliated city, town and villages on Okinawa will welcome graduates of Saint Mary's who are interested in volunteering to teach English and American culture while pursuing their fields of study or research.
Saint Mary's will welcome applicants for admission to its undergraduate programs. All candidates for admission must be reviewed and accepted by the International Student Admissions Committee.
Saint Mary's will award a $10,000 International Student Cultural Diversity Scholarship for four consecutive years to qualified and accepted undergraduate students.
The collaborating institutions will also explore and encourage educational exchanges, including faculty exchanges.
Saint Mary's and Ryukyu America Historical Research Society and the affiliated cities, towns and villages of Okinawa, Japan, pledge to further international education and cultural understanding.
