Michael Lacktorin, founding dean of a unique new college at Yamanashi Gakuin University in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, says his most important role as an educator is to help students discover where their passion lies, and to find out what they really want to do with their lives.

The International College of Liberal Arts opened last week. The new department is modeled after American liberal arts colleges, where students are exposed to a wide range of knowledge with the aim of providing a more holistic education.

"Education of the whole person — the mind, spirit or soul, and the body — is important," said Lacktorin.