A message from the President

I was appointed as the 43rd President of Kansai University in October 2020. During this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am acutely aware of the weight of the responsibility of the President of Kansai University, a school with a long history and tradition.

Kansai University, which has a 134-year history, will celebrate its promotion to university status and the 100th anniversary of the university motto “GAKU-NO-JITSUGE (Harmony between Academia and Society)” in 2022. Among Kansai University’s history, getting promoted to university status was a long-cherished wish. There were many issues to be resolved, but with the support and cooperation of many people, led by Dr. Juntaro Yamaoka, Kansai University was able to achieve this goal.

On the other hand, we are now in the era of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity). It is a difficult period in which the future is not easy to predict. Additionally, the problem of declining birthrate is very serious for universities—it is only a matter of time before the population of 18-year-olds drops below one million.

And now, as if symbolizing the era of VUCA, the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the world. It is causing profound impacts on our economy, culture, and education. This situation where it is difficult to meet people face to face is very serious for education and universities. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue and develop education, research, and cooperation with the society and work to ensure that no student has to withdraw from the university due to a disruption to their studies, while maintaining the health and safety of all students and faculty members as our utmost priority.

At the same time, it is important to continue to contribute to society even under these circumstances. We also need to drive these difficulties into new developments. The mission of universities in the age of VUCA is not to provide human resources and research required by society, but to create human resources and creative research that will lead society. Based on the internal enhancement of education and research, as well as the promotion of internationalization, we will strive to develop Kansai University as a leader of society in the age of diversity.

The harmony between academia and society, as stated in the motto “GAKU-NO-JITSUGE”, refers to the interaction between university education and research and the real world. To this end, we need to make Kansai University into a place that will constantly ascertain the unpredictable, is unafraid of changes, and is willing to take on challenges. The courage and power to change will lead to the evolution of Kansai University. We wish to unite Kansai University into one, where all students, faculty members, alumni, and everyone involved with Kansai University can be proud to support and be a part of the university. I would like to ask for all of your support, understanding, and cooperation.

Yutaka Maeda, President of Kansai University