Visitors from Japan explore TCC

Tulsa Community College employees welcomed three visitors from Japan last week at the Center for Creativity on the TCC Metro Campus. Their visit was among several stops they made in the city in coordination with the Tulsa Global Alliance.

Dr. Masamichi Kohno, Associate Professor of Engineering at Kyushu University, explored the topic of online classes with Randy Dominguez, Dean of Distance Learning; Mariko Takahashi, Administrative Assistant in Global Education and part-time instructor; and Dr. Beverly Bailey, Coordinator/Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication. Kohno said online classes are not the norm in Japan, and he was interested in finding out how TCC conducts online class delivery.

Takashi Fukuda, staff writer at The Mainichi Newspapers, explained the process of becoming a journalist in Japan with Mark Roe, Editor of TCC Connection; and Cindy Barton, Publications Specialist and part-time instructor; and Bailey. Fukuda said in Japan, the majority of journalists are not trained to become journalists in college. Instead, they learn through internships. He said this is a common practice not only for his career field, but also many other career fields in Japan.

Dr. Doug Price, Dean of Global Education, told the visitors about the history of community colleges in the U.S. since community colleges are unique to this country. He also talked to them about TCC’s interest in strengthening and building relationships internationally.

Tadahiro Sada, Assistant Professor and Clinical Psychologist at Gifu University, was also one of the guests.