Fukushima University

Fukushima University is a national university located in Fukushima, Japan, and was founded in 1949 with the merger of three colleges: Fukushima College of Economics, Fukushima Normal School, and Fukushima Youth Normal School.

There are five faculties: administration and social science; economics and business administration; food and agricultural sciences; human development and culture and symbiotic systems science. As well as this, there are four graduate schools and tjhree research centres.

The university has international partnerships with several countries including Australia, Canada, UK, and the USA, working to offer research and student exchange programmes.

Fukushima is known for its nuclear disaster in 2011, however the university is working to provide volunteers and carry out research projects to help the community with the post-disaster recovery. Students help at evacuation centres, clean up homes and collect donations.

To recognise their efforts, Fukushima University included volunteering activities in the Self Study Programme, believing that this volunteering will support the community and create greater student autonomy. The university has also created the Fukushima Future Studies minor to train students to build the future, learning from the events of 2011. The minor specialises in practical learning over four years, with a year of specialised lab and field work.

Fukushima’s economy strives with its booming tertiary sector, with companies such as Fukushima Bank, Toho Bank and Daiyu 8 located there. The Fukushima area is known for its cherry blossoms, Onsen resorts and role as one of the world’s largest fruit producers, notably peaches.