Guests from the University of Nairobi Attend the Soka Education Class

On July 8, 2025, the Soka Education class, taught by Professor Andrew Gebert and Professor Stephanie Mitsuko Kukita, welcomed esteemed visitors from the University of Nairobi, Professor Miriam Maranga Musonye, Chair of the Department of Literature; Professor Lewis Ngesu, from the Faculty of Education, also overseeing the Value-Creating Education initiatives; and Professor Masumi Odari, Professor in the Department of Literature and Head of the Soka University Nairobi Office.

During the class, students presented their final projects based on the three elements of Global Citizenship as envisioned by Ikeda in his 1996 speech “Thoughts on Education for Global Citizenship,” at Columbia University. The students were required to come up with a practical program that would translate the elements of wisdom, courage, and compassion into tangible actions within their communities.
Two out of the four groups made presentations, with dialogue being an important part of their practical implementation. Through this interactive activity, students engaged with the visiting professors, discovering significant common ground despite their diverse backgrounds.

Following the presentations, Professor Ngesu prompted the students to reflect on how the class facilitated their connection with their communities, eliciting a wide range of responses. He also shared his insights on Ikeda's philosophy of coexistence. Professor Musonye expressed how much she learned during the class, noting the value students gained from the curriculum.

The Soka Education class thus provided a valuable opportunity for the guests to witness firsthand the real-world application of value-creating pedagogy within a classroom setting.
The session proved to be highly fruitful, with both the guests and the students benefiting immensely from the exchange.