SRU, Japanese school sign deal

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University has signed a partnership agreement with an all-girls high school in Japan that will make it easier for students there to attend SRU for their higher education.

The agreement with Jissen Joship Gakuen is the first of its kind for the university.

“Instead of saying there are 3,000 schools in the U.S. for them to consider, Slippery Rock University will be recommended most highly and information about the university will be given to Jissen students,” said Pam Frigot, SRU director of international services.

She expects the fist Jissen graduates to be enrolled at Slippery Rock next fall.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development contacted the Sakae Institute of Study Abroad in Japan about marketing Pennsylvania’s universities to prospective Japanese students. Sakae representatives visited Slippery Rock in April and the agreement evolved from that session.

“We’re excited. They have a vision for expanding international education opportunities, and SRU is a great fit,” Frigot said. “We have a traditional exchange agreement with Kansai Gaidai University that has been in effect since 1979, but this is our first partnership with a Japanese high school.”

Slippery Rock is the only Pennsylvania university with which Jissen is affiliating, Frigot said.