Starting in January Beppu University will offer a new Kyushu Studies program. Area studies experts from the seven prefectures will be invited to the university to lecture on a wide range of topics, including history, culture and cuisine, and regular symposia will be held. The university also plans to publish academic books on Kyushu and a Kyushu tourism guidebook. The brainchild of Professor Kenji Iinuma, Dean of the Faculty of Letters, the Kyushu Studies program aims to provide a Kyushu-wide perspective instead of focus on individual prefectures, which has been the trend to date. “I hope this program serves as a first step toward uniting the hearts and mind of the seven prefectures as one Kyushu,” remarked Professor Iinuma. The first symposium will be held at Beppu University Media Hall on Jan. 10. (Admission is free.) Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 12/24
