New Year's Greetings from the Chairman of Board of Trustees
Jan. 01, 2015
As we enter the New Year I would like to send my greetings to all of you.
As you know, Japanese society is now in the midst of tremendous change. The labor market and industrial structure are in a state of flux under the influence of globalization, declining birthrates, and the information revolution. These days, when individual values and styles of work are diversifying and the outlook for the future is clouded in uncertainty, the role to be played by universities is greatly changing.
Under these circumstances, Meiji University was selected last year for the Top Global University Project (Type B) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The year also saw the certification of our Meiji Institute for the Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences as a Joint Usage/Research Center, and our selection for the program of Supporting Positive Activities for Female Researchers (in the general category). We are gratified that Meiji University activities of education and research are winning these high ratings. At the same time, however, we feel a heavy responsibility to meet these expectations of society as a whole. The Meiji University Long-term Vision formulated in 2011 posted the goal of becoming, ten years in the future, “to the world—a university that will be an international hub for fostering internationally-minded individuals and international exchanges, and realize education and research that nurture strong and bright individuals who will succeed on a global scale.” In 2018, Japan will enter a phase of accelerated decline in its population of 18-year-olds. For universities, it will be an age of intensified competition with their very survival at stake. We are going to take action to enhance the quality of education aimed at turning out strong-minded individuals, form centers for advanced research, and deploy a global strategy, all with even higher levels of speed.
At present, the personnel making up Meiji University are moving ahead toward the same goal. Last year, we prepared the Meiji University Medium-Term Plan (Phase 1) based on the Meiji University Long-term Vision. The plan sets forth basic policies and specific initiatives in eight different fields. We are going to reflect these policies and initiatives in our operating plans and budget appropriations for each fiscal year, in order to link the medium- and long-term plans to the yearly ones, and constantly revise our programs as appropriate. To survive in an age of momentous change, we first must strive to close the gap between our imputed income and expenditure, and place our finances on solid footing. We will also work to manage the university in a manner attuned to the global age, by rationalization of the operational scale, systemic reform, and construction of flexible yet resilient organizational setups and systems. All of these issues are both difficult and important. Unless we resolve them, we cannot hope to augment our education and research activities or look forward to the on-going advancement of Meiji University. We shall confront this array of tasks squarely and set about the task of reforming Meiji University with an iron determination.
We are depending on the continued support and cooperation of all concerned in our efforts to make 2015 a year in which Meiji University ventures intrepidly out into the world.
I would like to conclude my remarks by wishing you all good health and happiness in 2015.
As you know, Japanese society is now in the midst of tremendous change. The labor market and industrial structure are in a state of flux under the influence of globalization, declining birthrates, and the information revolution. These days, when individual values and styles of work are diversifying and the outlook for the future is clouded in uncertainty, the role to be played by universities is greatly changing.
Under these circumstances, Meiji University was selected last year for the Top Global University Project (Type B) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The year also saw the certification of our Meiji Institute for the Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences as a Joint Usage/Research Center, and our selection for the program of Supporting Positive Activities for Female Researchers (in the general category). We are gratified that Meiji University activities of education and research are winning these high ratings. At the same time, however, we feel a heavy responsibility to meet these expectations of society as a whole. The Meiji University Long-term Vision formulated in 2011 posted the goal of becoming, ten years in the future, “to the world—a university that will be an international hub for fostering internationally-minded individuals and international exchanges, and realize education and research that nurture strong and bright individuals who will succeed on a global scale.” In 2018, Japan will enter a phase of accelerated decline in its population of 18-year-olds. For universities, it will be an age of intensified competition with their very survival at stake. We are going to take action to enhance the quality of education aimed at turning out strong-minded individuals, form centers for advanced research, and deploy a global strategy, all with even higher levels of speed.
At present, the personnel making up Meiji University are moving ahead toward the same goal. Last year, we prepared the Meiji University Medium-Term Plan (Phase 1) based on the Meiji University Long-term Vision. The plan sets forth basic policies and specific initiatives in eight different fields. We are going to reflect these policies and initiatives in our operating plans and budget appropriations for each fiscal year, in order to link the medium- and long-term plans to the yearly ones, and constantly revise our programs as appropriate. To survive in an age of momentous change, we first must strive to close the gap between our imputed income and expenditure, and place our finances on solid footing. We will also work to manage the university in a manner attuned to the global age, by rationalization of the operational scale, systemic reform, and construction of flexible yet resilient organizational setups and systems. All of these issues are both difficult and important. Unless we resolve them, we cannot hope to augment our education and research activities or look forward to the on-going advancement of Meiji University. We shall confront this array of tasks squarely and set about the task of reforming Meiji University with an iron determination.
We are depending on the continued support and cooperation of all concerned in our efforts to make 2015 a year in which Meiji University ventures intrepidly out into the world.
I would like to conclude my remarks by wishing you all good health and happiness in 2015.
Kensou Hidaka
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Meiji University