Faculty of International Economic Studies
The Faculty of International Economic Studies (IES) was established in April 2020. In addition to two existing educational programs on international economy and regional economic development, a new educational program specializing in data science was established in April 2025. Currently, the IES department comprises three educational programs with an enrollment capacity of 100 students per year. There are currently 19 faculty members at the IES department. Many of our faculty members have international educational and research experiences. We also have faculty members with extensive practical expertise in business and public sectors.
The IES department is committed to developing students with a global perspective and a high level of expertise in economics. Through a variety of educational efforts, we aim to nurture graduates who can thrive in global contexts and contribute to the development of regional economy. Our curriculum design focuses on three essential abilities: the ability to understand and analyze the latest economic, industry, and business trends; the ability to interpret and analyze data and information; as well as solid communication skills to support global success.
Features of the Faculty of International Economic Studies
1. Systematic and step-by-step curriculum development
Our curriculum is designed in a way that students can gradually build up their knowledge and capabilities over four years of study. The first year of study focuses on liberal arts education, English language proficiency and introductory-level courses in economics which lay the foundation for specialized education. From the second year onwards, the IES department offers three educational programs with specialization in international economy, regional economic development and data science. Students can choose and study systematically in one of the three programs, and proceed to third- and fourth-year applied courses to learn practical skills for solving real-world socio-economic problems.
2. Practical data analysis skills and project-based learning
Digitalization is not only generating a vast amount of data and reshaping our economic and social system, but also poses challenges on effective use of data. Against this backdrop, the IES department offers a wide range of courses in data science and analytics. In particular, we emphasize project-based learning, which consists of collaborating with our partners in both business and public sectors. We offer courses and projects which invite people who are working on the front lines such as government officials and entrepreneurs. Through these educational efforts, students will gain the chance to apply the economic theories and analytical skills cultivated in the classroom to society.
3. High level English and second-foreign language competency
The IES department provides a wide range of opportunities for the students with international ambitions. We offer a number of courses that help students acquire practical English language skills essential for their future career development, including CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) courses, and EMI (English as a medium of instruction, economics subjects delivered in English language) courses. There are also second-foreign language courses in Russian, Chinese or Korean. In addition, for students who are willing to cultivate global mindedness and step up to the next level, study abroad and exchange programs in collaboration with overseas partner universities are available.
4. Small-group, seminar-based education
The IES department offers many lectures with a small number of students and facilitate interactions between students and faculty members. For the first- and second-year students, academic advisors are assigned at the time of enrollment to advise and support them in their academic and student life. For the third- and fourth-year students to learn specialized fields in depth, each seminar has an upper limit of nine students per year. This enables students to receive intense guidance from faculty members.
Our Educational Programs
International Economy
The program provides a comprehensive curriculum specializing in international economy, with a focus on East Asia. It offers subjects including international trade, international finance, economic growth and development, economic integration in ASEAN, Chinese economy, Russian economy and so on. The program also offers a number of courses in which specialized subjects are taught in English. Through the study at this program, students are expected to gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the structure and dynamics of the global economy.
Regional Economic Development
The program aims to nurture graduates who can be active in the field of regional economic revitalization. The program offers specialized subjects such as regional industrial development, regional innovation policy, and regional environment studies. Through the study at this program, students are expected to gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of regional economy. Emphasis of the curriculum is placed on the skills of problem-setting, problem-solving, and idea generation.
Data Science and Economy
This program is designed for the students who are willing to acquire practical data analytical skills. It offers the specialized subjects such as programming, multivariate analysis, data analysis and data visualization, mathematical models and algorithms. From the third year onwards, students will develop practical skills and tackle real-world problems in the fields such as infrastructure development and disaster prevention through project-based learning courses.
