Bridging Two Campuses: A Student Representative's Experience in Two RUxAPU Events

Written by: Bat-Uul Mungun

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) and Ritsumeikan University (RU) are both institutions under the Ritsumeikan Trust. While they share the same educational foundation and commitment to academic excellence, the two universities operate independently, with distinct campuses, institutional cultures, and admissions systems:

• Ritsumeikan University (RU): A traditional Japanese university with 16 colleges and 22 graduate schools

  
  

• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU): A bilingual institution with three colleges and two graduate schools, maintaining an approximately equal ratio of international and domestic students.

  
  

As a student representative of APU, I had the privilege of participating in two RUxAPU initiatives aimed at strengthening the “One Ritsumeikan” bond through inter-campus engagement and collaboration.

Event 1: The 2025 Ritsumeikan University Ritsumeikan Policy Simulation: Session 8  Date: December 13, 2025| Location: APU campus J building

Event 2:  RUxAPU つながるキャンパス、広がる世界！Two Campuses, One Connection! Date: January 31, 2026| Location: APU campus J building and online

Both events provided meaningful opportunities to foster dialogue and cooperation between members of the two institutions.

2025 Ritsumeikan University Ritsumeikan Policy Simulation: Session 8

(December 13, 2025)

I learned about this event through APU’s Student Portal and applied out of interest in engaging with RU students. The six-hour policy simulation took place in J Building from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM and involved 33 students, along with five senior citizens and professors from RU.

The simulation was structured around a political scenario in which the results of a House of Representatives election led to the collapse of a conservative minority coalition government. Participants were assigned to seven political party teams: 

Mainstream Conservative, Regional Conservative, Conservative Demographic, Progressive Demographic, Moderate Peace, Hardline Conservative, and Hardline Progressive. 

Each team consisted of four members. In addition, a Media Team representing NHK, GNN, BBC, and Chosun Times was responsible for raising questions and reporting on party positions during press conferences.

I was assigned to the Hardline Progressive Party. Although my limited background knowledge in politics prevented me from contributing as extensively as I had hoped, I found the experience intellectually stimulating and rewarding. The discussions were rigorous and thoughtfully conducted, reflecting the seriousness with which participants approached the simulation.

Following the formal sessions, a buffet dinner provided an opportunity for informal交流 (interaction) among participants. Conversations with RU students, APU students, and senior citizens offered valuable perspectives on academic life and international experiences. I was particularly appreciative of the RU students who traveled from Kyoto to Beppu and stayed at AP House to participate in the program. As this simulation is held annually, I would strongly encourage APU students to consider taking part in future sessions.

RUxAPU つながるキャンパス、広がる世界！Two Campuses, One Connection!

(January 31, 2026)

This second initiative, also announced via the Student Portal, focused on collaborative branding and exchange between the two campuses. The meeting was conducted online via Zoom. APU participants were divided into three groups. While RU students were unable to attend, RU faculty and staff members participated as representatives.

The program began with virtual campus tours. APU students presented photographs of our campus, followed by a presentation introducing RU’s campus environment. Through these exchanges, we discussed similarities and differences between the two institutions, such as campus architecture and shared features like central fountains.

Each group then developed a slogan to represent the shared spirit of the two campuses. My group proposed the slogan:

 『グロー山』 (“Global Mountain”)

A tribute to APU’s global community and its mountain-top location. Other groups proposed equally thoughtful slogans, including “Diversity in Nature Without Borders,” “Where Global Citizens Shape the World,” and RU’s slogan 『未来を信じ、未来に生きる』 (“Believe in Future, Live in the Future”).

The session concluded with a collaborative decision regarding the towel design, including font and color selection. Although direct interaction with RU students would have further enriched the exchange, the opportunity to collaborate with RU faculty and staff was nevertheless meaningful. While there was some initial surprise that all slogans would appear together on a single towel design, the outcome represents a collective expression of inter-campus partnership. Our towels are to be sent to each participant in Spring 2026.

Conclusion

These RUxAPU initiatives are more than just "events"; they are laboratories for intercultural dialogue and institutional collaboration. Through both the policy simulation and the collaborative branding activity, I gained a deeper appreciation for the complementary strengths of RU and APU. These experiences not only strengthened inter-campus relationships but also contributed to my personal growth as a student representative. I look forward to seeing continued cooperation between the two institutions and encourage fellow students to actively engage in future RUxAPU programs.