Was there really a time before computers were everywhere? Kyoto Computer Gakuin, or KCG, stands before us as a testament to a time when computers were rare. Imagine a world where only major banks and universities possessed these machines. This private vocational school in Kyoto was founded in 1963 by Yasuko and Shigeo Hasegawa.
KCG is not just a school. It’s a group of institutions. These include The Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics, and the Kyoto Japanese Language Training Center. The KCG Group has graduated over 37000 alumni.
Let’s step back to 1963. Yasuko Hasegawa, a pioneering woman in astrophysics, started a study group at Kyoto University. This group explored IBM computers. It was called the FORTRAN Research Seminar. This seminar evolved into Kyoto Computer Gakuin in 1969.
The founders, Yasuko and Shigeo Hasegawa, faced many challenges. Accessible computer equipment was scarce. Books on computing were nonexistent in bookstores. FORTRAN could only be used on imported computers. Yasuko Hasegawa persevered to develop a computer education system. Shigeo Hasegawa passed away in 1986.
In the late 1960s, Japanese-made computers emerged. The seminar group used the HITAC-10 computer. They conducted programming courses. As student numbers grew, they rented an extra room as a computer laboratory.
Initially, KCG’s founders transported the HITAC-10 in their car. They gave lectures in distant locations. Later, KCG acquired larger computers like the TOSBAC3400 and IBM mainframes. In 1983, KCG initiated a PC Loan Program. It lent PCs to all KCG students for free.
KCG’s global outreach program is the International Development of Computer Education, or IDCE. Yasuko Hasegawa and her daughter Yu Hasegawa initiated it in 1988. IDCE has donated almost 3000 computers to countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America.
KCG has academic exchange agreements. These are with institutions in the US, Asia, and Europe. In 2008, KCG and the University of Pardubice in the Czech Republic held the world’s first online academic exchange agreement signing ceremonies.
KCG organizes the RIT Summer Workshop. Students attend classes at RIT in the US. They experience campus life and see the sights.
Kyoto Computer Gakuin is centrally located near Kyoto Station. Kyoto is a student-friendly city. It has amenities and affordable housing.
KCG also preserves its history. The KCG Museum displays computers and equipment used in education for over 50 years. The Information Processing Society of Japan recognizes several systems as Information Technology Heritage Certified Equipment.
Kyoto Computer Gakuin continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing needs of the IT industry. From its humble beginnings to its global reach, KCG remains a pioneering institution in computer education.