At the Extension Center, we provide a variety of learning opportunities geared toward the needs of society. We also publish and publicize scholarly information from many different areas and scopes offered at Tokyo NODAI, and outcomes of research and education conducted here at our institution.

Recently, we are faced with an aging society and families with fewer children. This brings about diversification in the needs of lifelong education in society. Many changes in society such as the rapid growth in information technology, technological innovations, altered industrial structure, diversifying working styles, etc., shift the focus of lifelong learning from hobby-related activities and general knowledge to the processing and application of more advanced knowledge and skills.

To survive in this complex and diverse society, people must learn and acquire the ability to make their own choices. Such learning will become even more demanded in the future.

This center is the hub for a lifelong network, and provides many learning opportunities for the public in various environments. Lectures and seminars are offered on unique topics to Tokyo NODAI such as agriculture, nature, ecology, food, etc., as well as hobby-type activities and sessions geared towards increasing general knowledge.

The Extension Center has a channel to the “Tokyo University of Agriculture Environmental Education Support Center,” in order to support the introduction of “comprehensive learning time” into school education. This division promotes the significance and understanding of environmental education, and provides support related to environmental education instruction methodology, environmental education curriculum implementation, and so on.

Public Lectures

Tokyo NODAI shares the outcome of university-related research with the local communities, and provides an opportunity for the public to participate in lifelong learning with the purpose of creating a place of exchange that will ultimately enhance daily life. The public lectures are a part of such initiatives. Special lectures given at Tokyo NODAI are open to the public and focus on the specialty scopes of Tokyo NODAI as well as on areas such as society, economy, politics, culture, history, fine arts, sport, etc. For the key issues faced by modern society such as global environmental issues, urbanization, internationalization, demands for information capabilities, aging, etc., notable experts in each area are invited as guest speakers.

Tokyo NODAI College Sessions

The 21st century is called “The era of agriculture and foods. ”Tokyo NODAI lecturers will share the fruits of their daily work and researches with the broader public. There are many hands-on, experience-oriented seminars that can appeal to everyone from the general public to dietitians, registered dietitians, primary and junior high school teachers and those in business. These sessions also make suggestions to society on the issues in the 21st century to be tackled by Tokyo NODAI, such as environment, food, resources and energy, and health.

Seminars

We also offer life and general knowledge seminars on horticulture, the environment, energy, food, and health. These seminars include topics such as the enjoyment of food and culture, homemade food items, horticultural therapy, and seminars that provide environmental experience. Worth further mention is the seminar on horticultural therapy, which aims to recruit volunteers that can assist professional horticultural therapists. Horticultural therapy is used to help people with psychological issues or disabilities become healthier through work with plants.

Correspondence Education

Correspondence education provides people with opportunities to study whenever they want to. Currently we provide two courses through this system. In the landscape-drawing course (MEXT certified), you can learn special methods necessary for “landscape-drawing to describe natural items such as trees, stones, ponds, etc.” Also, in the tree-watching course, you can “identify trees by observing and learning characteristics of trees.” Both courses are related to ecology and gardening.