Topics

Hachioji CampusFaculty of Education Professor Honored as Marianas Tourism Ambassador

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Professor Kyoko Nakayama of Faculty of Education Department of Elementary Education Teikyo University, was appointed an Honorary Tourism Ambassador by the Marianas Visitors Authority at Hachioji Campus. The title of Honorary Tourism Ambassador is awarded to individuals who have made long-term contributions to promoting the Mariana Islands and its tourism industry, and Professor Nakayama's past activities were recognized, leading to her appointment.

Since 2007, Professor Nakayama has conducted research on the culture, history, and education of the Mariana Islands, publishing books and papers. In 2013, he and a group of students from Faculty of Education Department of Elementary Education, founded the Chamorro dance group Guma' Famagu'on Tano' Yani Tasi (Children of the Earth and Sea), which has been involved in international exchange events and a collaborative project with Teikyo University Elementary School titled "What is Chamorro?" In January 2018, the Teikyo University Museum held a special exhibition titled "The Truth about the Mariana Islands: A Southern Paradise: Do You Know About Guam, Saipan, Rota, and Tinian Island?" Students learn Chamorro history through dance with Professor Nakayama, deepening their understanding by thinking about developed and developing countries, as well as themselves.

On the day of the appointment ceremony, Mr. Christopher A. Concepcion, Marianas Tourism Secretary General, presented a plaque and thanked Nakayama Professor for his work in continuously communicating about the Marianas Islands through his writings and education. After the presentation, Nakayama Professor presented Mr. Concepcion with a blue Daruma doll, symbolizing the Mariana Sea, and performed songs such as "Children of the Land and Sea" and "My Land" in Chamorro, which was met with applause from the audience. Finally, the group visited Teikyo University Museum, where Nakayama Professor serves as Deputy Director, to preview the venue for an exhibition on the Mariana Islands scheduled to run from May to August 2024. We will continue to work with the Marianas Visitors Authority.

For more details on Professor Nakayama Kyoko's work, click here
For past exhibitions, click here
Click here to see the Guma' Famagu'on Tano' Yani Tasi event

To the topic List