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== 1. A general overview General Overview of Sophia University ==

Sophia University (Jouchi Daigaku 上智大学)is one of the most prominent private universities in Japan. Founded in 1913 by the Roman Catholic religious order of the Society of Jesus, it has grown from its three original departments of Philosophy, German Literature , and Commerce to nine undergraduate faculties and ten graduate schools, with over 13,900 students in total.

Physically While physically located in the heart of Tokyo, right across the Imperial Palace, it Sophia University is also close to the socio-economic and political core of Japanese society. From its early days , the university University has been a centre center for internationalization and to this day continues to act as a bridge to the wider world. Many of its graduates find their way into fields such as the media (national broadcasters such as like NHK), global development (international organizations like the United Nations), or global business (multinational corporations).

== 2. Core features Promoting Student Innovation and its unique contribution to society Entrepreneurship==

The university’s core values of respect for equalitySophia University is continuously developing as a higher education institution. In recent years, diversity it has shifted away from a classical discipline-based institution to one that aims to be more innovative and contribution to student-centered. An example is the larger social good are captured into its motto: “Men and Women, With OthersFaculty of Liberal Arts (FLA), For Others”which offers English-taught undergraduate degrees. These values permeate not only its academic curriculum but also guide This faculty has increased interactions between Japanese and international students in their extracurricular activities. Students undertake , and many volunteer activities run inside and outside of its professors have been at the university, but also beyond Japan, for instance, the support activities focused on refugees, or the areas damaged by the Great Tohoku Earthquake, to name a fewuniversity’s forefront in adopting innovative teaching methods.

Recently, Sophia University has been promoting educational increasingly focused on the environment and sustainable development. Many of its programs have conscientiously incorporated courses related to the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs (a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015). As a prominent institution for research activities based on and higher education in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, Sophia University was one among 37 Japanese universities to be selected for the “Top Global University Project” – a spirit funding project initiated by the Japanese Ministry of charity Education, Culture, Sports, Science and globalism through encounters Technology to support the innovation and dialogues with people internationalization efforts of diverse backgrounds universities. Based on this project, Sophia University launched a new English-based undergraduate program called “Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures” (SPSF) in the hope fall of 2020. This program brings together seven different disciplines (journalism, education, sociology, economics, management, international relations, and area studies) and is designed to bring forth solutions to the many problems that torment our world todayfoster interdisciplinary and action-oriented learning.

Recently, Another English-taught degree program known as an institution, it has been increasingly focused on the environment Faculty of Science and Technology aims to educate future scientists and sustainable development. Many technologists to become productive members of its programs have conscientiously incorporated courses that relate to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals set forth by global community. Students at the United Nations in 2015)Faculty of Science and Technology seek a deeper understanding of human development and harmonious coexistence with people and nature.

In November 2015addition to these curricular programs, it also signed the Principles there have been interactive events for Responsible Investment (PRI) supported by the students to engage with and spark innovation. United Nations, aiming to realize a sustainable societyWeek and Mirai 2. These principles advocate the incorporation of environmental, societal 0 Research and corporate governance concerns into investment decisions. As Innovation Week are a private corporation few annual events that operates education and research institutes, and as a responsible asset owner, Sophia assumes its responsibility allow active learning through the collaboration of industries and brings its contribution to solving the various issues facing our global society through its ESG investmentacademic institutions.

== 3Overall, the university’s core values of respect for equality, diversity, and contribution to the larger social good are captured into its motto: “Men and Women, With Others, For Others.” These values permeate not only its academic curriculum but also guide students in their extracurricular activities. Students undertake many volunteer activities run inside and outside the university, but also beyond Japan, such as the support activities focused on refugees, or the areas damaged by the Great Tohoku Earthquake, to name a few. Recent developments/achievements Extracurricular clubs that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity include Horizon (a student empowerment organization committed to inspiring youth to create innovative solutions for social change) and Sophia Start-up Club (Sophia University’s first entrepreneurship organization established in research 2021). Other programs that generate awareness and educationfundamental elements of I&E include TEDxSophia, Sophia University Future Center, with Yotsuya Hatch (a focus on education ==start-up pitch event organized by Sophia Start-up Club), and Hult Prize OnCampus Program (an annual global competition for pitching business ideas that tackle various social issues).

Responding to the need to further develop as a “university in line with the world”, Sophia University has been taking bold steps in rethinking the old approach to teaching ==Encouraging Faculty Innovation and learning. Through various initiatives it has sought to reform “Towards a qualitative change in university education to build a new future” for the Japanese society, fostering a “knowledge-based independence, collaboration and creative model” which “cultivates independent thinking and creativity”. (Report of the Central Equation Council, August 2012)Entrepreneurship==

Through its participation Responding to the need to further develop as a “university in line with the Inter-University Exchange Project called the “Collaborative Online International Learning”world, ” Sophia University offers programs towards Human Security has been taking bold steps in rethinking the old approach to teaching and Multicultural Coexistencelearning. Students Through various initiatives, it has sought to reform “towards a qualitative change in Japan connect university education to build a new future” for Japanese society and learn together with other students at institutions in Japan foster a “knowledge-based independence, collaboration, and creative model” which “cultivates independent thinking and abroadcreativity” (Report of the Central Equation Council, August 2012).

As a prominent institution for research and higher education However, while Sophia University has focused on working in the fields areas of social sciences, humanities and natural sciencesinnovation in recent years, the University has been selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education institution lacks resources for promoting entrepreneurship. There continue to be one of 37 universities limitations, such as not having offices, faculties, or organizations that are specifically focused on encouraging students to receive funding for its innovation and internationalization efforts through its “Top Global explore I&E. Sophia University Project”. Based hopes to improve on this project, the University launched these areas in the autumn semester of 2020 an innovative English-based undergraduate “Program for Sustainable Futures” that brings together seven different disciplines: journalism, education, sociology, economics, management, international relations and area studiesnear future through new programs such as SPSF.

== 4. Going forward Actively Supporting the University Technology Transfer Function==

Although Sophia University’s history with innovation University is active in funding and entrepreneurship(I&E) is short, supporting research programs through the Sophia Research Support Organization. The Organization has been exploring the institution’s efforts such as opening new programs possibility of further expanding its research support system and opportunities providing enhanced support for innovation faculty to commercialize their research. It aims to faculty act as an incubator that would facilitate successful technology transfers, licensing, and students have become more apparent in the past few yearsinnovation projects. Over time a growing number of faculty members have become active in organizing events In this way, Sophia University is working to advance development projects through collaboration between industry, government, and activities where they encourage students to incorporate entrepreneurial elementsacademia.

In addition, Sophia University has several seed funding sources for students’ activities. For extracurricular activities, Sophia University provides grant support each semester for the University’s official extracurricular activities. Students go through the process of examination by submitting a proposal and having an interview to receive the grant and report the usage and the impact of the project. Likewise, despite not being a group specifically at Sophia University, many of its students actively utilize a social incubator for movements and change-makers called Social Innovation Japan where they can join its community to get information and opportunities regarding topics they are passionate about.  In 2021, Sophia University joined the Renewable Energy University League of Japan. The universities that join this community aim to transition their campuses to 100% renewable energy between 2030 and 2040. In November 2022, after an electricity supplier switch at some buildings, 100% of the electricity consumed at Sophia University's Yotsuya Campus have become to come from renewable energy. In addition, the university is trying to encourage its students to also take action for renewable energy and decarbonization through various initiatives and campaigns on the campus. ==Facilitating university-industry collaboration==Recognizing that Japan’s industry-academia collaboration is poor compared to Western countries, Sophia University's Faculty of Science and Engineering created the “Sophia Science & Technology Liaison Office” in November of 2001 to transfer research breakthroughs more easily into society. Unfortunately, this organization is no longer in operation within the University, but its impacts have left a strong impression on the I&E community and students involved in its mission. Another way Sophia University emphasizes industry-academia collaboration is through the Bulletin Board of Information found in the student portal. The University posts about scholarship opportunities and programs involving university-business collaborations. Some of these scholarships and programs offer students opportunities to engage with industries and learn I&E skills by working directly with them. Not only are students given a chance to expand their range of experiences by applying to these activities, but they are also able to build their own networks for their future careers. On the other hand, some of the posts within the Bulletin Board of Information are related to research labs and research funding. Sophia University highly values quality research and the involvement of students in developing new technologies and thus often offers these openings to its entire student body.  Although Sophia University’s history with innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) is short, the institution’s efforts such as opening new programs and opportunities for innovation to faculty and students have become more apparent in the past few years. Over time, a growing number of faculty members have become active in organizing events and activities where they encourage students to incorporate entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. ==Engaging with Regional and Local Economic Development Efforts==Sophia University has been promoting educational and research activities based on a spirit of charity and globalism through encounters and dialogues with people of diverse backgrounds in the hope to bring forth solutions to the many problems that torment our world today. Through its participation in the Inter-University Exchange Project called the “Collaborative Online International Learning,” Sophia University offers programs towards Human Security and Multicultural Coexistence which allow students in Japan to connect and learn together with other students at institutions in Japan and abroad. In November 2015, the University signed the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) supported by the United Nations with the aim to realize a sustainable society. These principles advocate for the incorporation of environmental, societal, and corporate governance concerns into investment decisions. As a private corporation that operates education and research institutes, and as a responsible asset owner, Sophia University assumes its responsibility and contributes to solving the various issues facing our global society through its ESG investment.  In addition to that, the Sophia School Corporation has established a new ‘green’ building on campus to be used for various purposes, including community events and academic gatherings for working professionals. The three-story wooden building consists of a café on the first floor and classrooms on the rest of the floors. The Corporation also plans to establish a disaster prevention warehouse that is accessible to the public. To conclude, Sophia University is located at the centre center of one of the busiest metropolitan cities areas in the world. It also gathers together the best and the brightest domestic and international students and faculty, giving it unique advantages and opportunities. Maximizing them will continue to require innovative and creative thinking. This is where the mindset and skills of the UIF Community can potentially make a meaningful contribution.