Message from the President
President, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
HARUNA, Nobuo
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies: Developing people to shape the future
—--From a place of free and tolerant learning, towards a future where no one is left behind—--
We are at a turning point. I do not mean that international affairs are temporarily in turmoil. There are signs that the sustainability of global society is being lost, in terms of population, food, resources, energy, climate, and so on. In order to create a future society that is sustainable, as well as to build it in a way that does not leave anyone behind, I think that there is a role that can be fulfilled by TUFS, a university whose existence is based on the diversity of the world.
In the past, TUFS has worked to promote education, research and social engagement that contribute to building multicultural societies, based on the mission of “transforming diversity into strength”. In the future, we will raise this mission to the next level, and as an institution that incorporates diverse ideas and values into the process of forging the future, we will actively seek even more opportunities for inter-university joint research and industry-academia collaboration, and expand the scope and depth of our research and social engagement.
Further, TUFS is a higher education institution that sends its graduates and alumni out into an uncertain future. In order to adapt to a changing society, they will need to be able to think flexibly, take bold action, and make their own judgments. In order to cultivate these abilities, TUFS provides opportunities for “cross-border” interaction with diverse values and diverse people both in Japan and overseas.
In the future, we will create a system that allows students to participate in creative joint research and industry-academia collaboration as a practical way to comprehensively utilize the multifaceted skills cultivated through cross-border experiences.
As it will take time to sufficiently prepare for and fully realize the educational benefits of such multifaceted experiences, TUFS will continue to develop a new educational system in which students continuing their studies to the postgraduate level becomes the standard.
In order to encourage new challenges and trial and error by students and researchers who will shape the future, it is essential to have an environment that fosters free thinking, in addition to institutional support. I myself will strive to maintain and strengthen an open and tolerant culture through dialogue with students, faculty and staff, and a wide range of people.