Dean Sugimoto of the Faculty of International Liberal Arts Delivers a Plenary Presentation at the University of the East’s International Conference “TRUEICON”

On February 12, 2026, the international conference “TRUEICON (Talks, Research, Understanding and Exchange International Conference),” hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of the East (UE), was held in the Philippines, and Dean Sugimoto of the Faculty of International Liberal Arts delivered a presentation in the plenary session. The conference is an education- and research-oriented event aimed at research presentations and academic exchange, with multiple international organizations and universities from the Philippines and abroad participating. The event was attended by university leaders, including President Zosimo M. Battad.

Titled “FILA at Soka University: Fieldwork × Dialogue × Reflection for Global Citizenship Education (GCE),” Dean Sugimoto introduced, as case examples, the initiatives and outcomes of the short-term programs that the Faculty has developed to foster “global citizens.” He also presented the concept for the Faculty’s required courses scheduled to begin in AY2026—“Global Citizenship Fieldwork I (short-term overseas program)” and “Global Citizenship Fieldwork II (short-term domestic program)”—and reported on plans to further strengthen collaboration with UE.

In addition, on February 11, 2026—the day before the conference—at the invitation of Dean Michelle Concepcion of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dean Sugimoto delivered a special lecture to approximately 400 students and faculty members of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The lecture was titled “Growth, Stagnation or Decline? Uncovering the Causes.” Using the work of Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu and case studies from Malaysia, he lectured for about three hours on the factors that influence economic growth and social prosperity, followed by an active Q&A session. After the lecture, volunteer UE students performed an original dance while wearing Japanese kimono, creating a warm moment of cultural exchange.

After the plenary presentation, Dean Sugimoto commented as follows:
“I was deeply impressed by President Zosimo M. Battad’s steadfast dedication to education, grounded in profound respect for our founder, Daisaku Ikeda, and his emphasis on trust and integrity. I also felt firsthand how sincerely the faculty, staff, and students of the University of the East value their exchange with Soka University, and I learned how many people have built layers of trust that have made today’s relationship possible. Through the implementation of the short-term programs planned under our new curriculum, the Faculty of International Liberal Arts will also do its utmost, however modestly, to deepen our multifaceted exchange even further.”

Faculty Information

Professor

Ichiro Sugimoto

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Specialized Field

Quantitative economic history (historical economic statistical estimation and empirical analysis), Southeast Asian economic history (British colonial period: Singapore, Malaya, Burma)

Research theme

Long-term historical economic statistical estimation and empirical analysis in Southeast Asian countries