Alice Kananu Muriuki
Dear Fellow Student
The one year or so I spent at the Graduate School of Business of Aoyama Gakuin University was both highly educative and interesting. It was indeed a privilege to be a member of an inaugural class of the Strategic Management and Intellectual Property Rights Programme, in that it presented me with the opportunity to gain broader understanding of current management practices and key issues concerning international trade today. It was also a good opportunity to receive instruction from a highly knowledgeable and skilled faculty, in a leading economy of the world.
Integrated subjects
The integration of both Management and Customs courses provided me a good balance of knowledge and necessary skills in Research, Management, Competitive Strategy and International Financial Law. There were several Customs courses including the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Enforcement at the Border, which helped me to appreciate further, the rights of inventors and innovators to earn from their work, the impact of illegal trade on economies and the factors that continue to influence the trade globally. I have appreciated Customs` role and now know that collaboration and creation of more partnerships with sector stakeholders, presents even more favourable outcomes for all concerned.
Blended learning
Daily life as a student and resident of Tokyo required a balance. I participated in several other study and cultural activities which gave me insights to Japanese society and country. In addition, my classmates and I attended lectures and workshops held at other learning institutions, such as at the United Nations and GRIPS Universities. Furthermore, we visited several private companies and government institutions. Other lessons were on financial prudence, time management as well as knowledge of the Japanese language. These proved to be highly useful and necessary while at AGU and outside.
What entailed qualification?
Earning the minimum 30 credit hours took hard work. I had to revise necessary literature thoroughly and acquire higher levels of discipline in adherence to set deadlines. There was continuous assessment of my progress through regular reports and presentations, in addition to fulfilling the requirements of the Master`s Thesis paper. This, however, would not have been possible without cooperation with the faculty and fellow students. My colleagues and I had a favourable study environment with necessary equipment and facilities, and these were complimented by a study room with designated desks and lockers. Information dailies, journals and notices, were also made available to us by our administration office. The environment was further enhanced by the existence of a bookshop, canteen, snack shop and coffee vending machines within the campus. Moreover several restaurants outside the Campus were accessible within 5minutes walk.
Welcome to AGU
Let me congratulate you and welcome you to Aoyama Gakuin University, and wish you a successful and interesting learning experience. Please consider taking time to read all the information you have been provided by the admission office, before and upon your arrival in Japan. It shall be very useful to you in course of your stay. Your University aerial map and train route maps will be most useful to you in the first few months, as you settle into your daily routine. It is indeed true, that each student`s experience is different, however, I know that with a positive attitude, focus and commitment to achievement of your study objective, you will succeed in your mission.
I leave AGU with expectations of sharing and applying the knowledge I have gained, as my initial contribution to the achievement of the objectives of both my Customs Administration in Kenya and the WCO.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu / Thank you very much.
Alice Kananu Muriuki