Canadian Government Officials Visit the University of Tsukuba

A delegation from Canada visited the University of Tsukuba on July 10. The delegation members included Graham Flack, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage; Matt Stickney, Chief of Staff to the Office of the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities; and officials from the Embassy of Canada in Japan. The objective was to exchange views on the education of the Olympics and Paralympics and the special education for students with disabilities.
From the University of Tsukuba, the following people attended the meeting: Vice President for Education Satoshi Shimizu; Vice President for Global Affairs Caroline Fern Benton; staff of the Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS) program office, which promotes sports for people with disabilities and offers the only degree program in the field of Sport and Olympic Studies in Japan; and staff of the Office of Diversity.

In addition, four Paralympic athletes who are currently enrolled in the University of Tsukuba attended the meeting. The four members included Ms. Monika Seryu, Mr. Tomoyuki Iwata, Mr. Yoshifumi Adachi, and Ms. Rieko Takahashi. They talked about their own experience and the necessity of promoting the Paralympics and sports.

All attendees exchanged opinions about the current situation of support for people with disabilities, and about efforts to create an inclusive society in the two countries. Their visit is expected to further promote exchanges between the University of Tsukuba and Canada.

During the meeting

From left: Deputy Minister Graham Flack, Ms. Monika Seryu, Mr. Tomoyuki Iwata, Ms. Rieko Takahashi, and Mr. Yoshifumi Adachi