On Saturday, January 28, Soka University held a training session for 66 students who will serve as resident assistants (RSs) of the school’s Takiyama and Manyo International dormitories slated to open at the end of March.

The RAs are Japanese and international student volunteers who, while living in the dorms themselves, will support dorm residents and assist in the management of the two facilities.

The objective of the training session was to brainstorm over the role of RAs and exchange knowledge and ideas of how to best support incoming residents and their dorm life.

The session was led by Megumi Yamazaki, associate professor of Soka’s School for Excellence in Educational Development (SEED), and included both lectures and small-group discussions. With “communication skills” as its theme, the session emphasized among others the importance of viewing matters from the perspective of others, awareness of ways to communicate as well as ways to facilitate understanding.

Dr. Masashi Nemoto of the university’s Health Center also provided information on first aid and infection control measures.