2023 Cohort
15
edits
Changes
In addition to these curricular programs, there have been interactive events for students to engage with and spark innovation. United Nations Week and Mirai 2.0 Research and Innovation Week are a few annual events that allow active learning through the collaboration of industries and academic institutions.
Overall, 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. 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 2021). Other programs that generate awareness and fundamental elements of I&E include TEDxSophia and , Sophia University Future Center, Yotsuya Hatch (a 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).
==Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship==
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 decarbonizationthrough various initiatives and campaigns on the campus.
==Facilitating university-industry collaboration==
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 is currently conducting the construction of 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 center of one of the busiest metropolitan 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.