About APU

APU's Journey up to 2020

1995		The Ritsumeikan Trust first envisions APU
	September	Oita Prefecture, Beppu City, and Ritsumeikan announce their intent to establish APU
	October	APU Preparatory Committee for APU created
1996	May	General Meeting of Advisory Committee (AC)
	October	The name "Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University" is finalized
1997	April	Oita Prefecture, Beppu City, and Ritsumeikan sign a basic agreement for establishment
	October	Land preparations begins
	December	Beppu/Oita APU Office established
1998	August	Construction begins
	September	Application to Ministry of Education (currently known as MEXT – Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) for approval of establishment
1999	April	APU adopts official logo
	December	Ministry of Education establishment approval completed
2000	April	Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University opens
	January	SAKAMOTO Kazuichi chosen as inaugural President
	May	Opening Ceremony
	May	APU Opening Festival
2001	September	APHouse 2 completed
2003	April	Graduate School established
2004	April	Monte CASSIM installed as president
2005	July	University regulations changed to increase student intake capacity
2006	April	Institutes established
2007	March	Dedication ceremonies for buildings completed according to the APU New Challenge Plan
	April	APU Confucius Institute established
2009	April	College of Asia Pacific Management name changes to College of International Management
	October	The APU 10th Anniversary celebration begins
2010	January	KORENAGA Shun installed as president
2011	March	The APU 2020 Vision is created
2015	March	The APU 2030 Vision is created
2016	June	University regulations changed to increase student intake capacity
	August	Accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
2018	January	DEGUCHI Haruaki installed as president
	March	Hospitality and Tourism Program Receives UNWTO.TedQual Certification
2020	August	Graduate School of Management Earns Accreditation from AMBA
	September	Bus Shelter “Tokimachiba” completed
2023	March	Academic Building “Green Commons” and AP House 5 completed
	April	The new APU: Establishment of College of Sustainability and Tourism
2024	January	YONEYAMA Hiroshi installed as president