1. General overview of Sophia UniversitySophia University, also known as (上智大学 Jōchi Jouchi Daigaku上智⼤大学) is one of the most established top prominent private research universities in Japan. It was founded Founded in 1913 by the Roman Catholic religious order of the Society of Jesus in 1913 and , it has grown from its 3 original academic departments of Philosophy, German Literature, and Commerce to 9 undergraduate Faculties faculties and 10 Graduate Schoolsgraduate schools, with over 13,900 students in total. Sophia University is a pioneer in global education, leading the internationalization of Japanese universities. The university is known for its prime location in central Tokyo, with access to top multinational corporations, a small and diverse community. Many of the graduates find their way into the fields such as global development (close ties with the United Nations) and media (broadcasters such as NHK). As a prominent institution for research and higher learning in the fields of the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, the university has been selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education to be one of 37 universities to receive funding for its internationalization efforts through the "Top Global University Project".
Students at Sophia University take diversity and coexistence Physically located in its core values. This perspective has been implemented in various volunteer activities inside and outside the universityheart of Tokyo, as well as beyond Japan. This mindset for contributing to right across the social good through volunteering Imperial Palace, it is one of also close to the key pillars socio-economic and characteristics that exist in Sophiapolitical core of Japanese society. In Japan, having students being From its early days the main moderators of community vitalization and reconstruction university has been a significant meaning center for internationalization and to this day continues to act as a bridge to the university. Moreover, classes offered at Sophia University provide students with the opportunities to live through these values activelywider world. Recent examples include many programs that conscientiously implemented courses that relate to Many of its graduates find their way into fields such as the SDGs media (national broadcasters such as NHK), global development (Sustainable Development Goals set forth by international organizations like the United Nations in 2015). One core focus for Sophia University is the environmental and climate aspect, where many students participate and co-create in initiatives, workshops and events. These classes incorporate an interactive learning environment encouraging students to engage with each other, unlike the traditional Japanese education system. The teaching system is currently undergoing a transformation, additionally driven by numerous professors individually curating interactive programs in classesor global business (multinational corporations).
As an Inter-University Exchange Project called "Collaborative Online International Learning" Sophia University offers programs toward Human Security 2. Core features and its unique contribution to societyThe university’s core values of respect for equality, diversity and contribution to the larger social good are captured into its motto: “Men and Multicultural CoexistenceWomen, With Others, For Others”. These values permeate not only its academic curriculum but also guide students in their extracurricular activities. Students in undertake many volunteer activities run inside and outside the university, but also beyond Japan connect and learn with students at institutions abroad using Zoom, Google Classroomfor instance, the support activities focused on refugees, Facebookor on the areas damaged by the Great Tohoku Earthquake, etcjust to name a few. Currently, three universities from Japan Sophia University has been promoting educational and research activities based on a spirit of charity and globalism through encounters and ten institutions from dialogues with people of diverse backgrounds in the hope to bring forth solutions to the U.S. participatemany problems that torment our world today.
AdditionallyRecently, as an institution, it has been increasingly focused on the University President annually awards a "President's Award" environment and a "President's Incentive Award"sustainable development. Many of its programs have conscientiously incorporated courses that relate to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the United Nations in 2015).
There is little support at In November 2015, it also signed the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) supported by the United Nations, aiming to realize a faculty levelsustainable society. These principles advocate the incorporation of environmental, societal and corporate governance concerns into investment decisions. HoweverAs a private corporation that operates education and research institutes, and as a responsible asset owner, some professors are active in organizing programs where they encourage students Sophia assumes its responsibility and brings its own contribution to incorporate entrepreneurial elementssolving the various issues facing our global society through its ESG investment.
Sophia University promoted educational and 3. Recents developments/achievements in research activities based on the spirit of charity and globalism through encounters and dialogues education, with many others of diverse backgrounds in hope a focus on education)Responding to bring solutions for the issues need to our tormented world of today. Recentlyfurther develop as a “university in line with the world”, Sophia University has been increasingly focusing on sustainable development as an institution. Although Sophia's history with innovation and entrepreneurship is short, taking bold steps in rethinking the institution’s efforts such as opening research programs and incorporating innovation for faculty old approach to teaching and students have become more apparent since the last few yearslearning.Sophia University is expanding its range of contributions outside the Through various initiatives it has sought to reform “Towards a qualitative change in university as well. In November 2015, it signed the Principles education to build a new future” for Responsible Investment (PRI) supported by the United NationsJapanese society, aiming to realize fostering a sustainable society“knowledge-based independence, collaboration and creative model” which “cultivates independent thinking and institutional investors, etccreativity”. It is a principle that advocates incorporating (Report of the issues Central Equation Council, August 2012)Through its participation in the environment (Environmental), society (Social)Inter-University Exchange Project called the “Collaborative Online International Learning”, Sophia University offers programs towards Human Security and corporate governance (Governance) into investment decisionsMulticultural Coexistence. As a school corporation that operates educational Students in Japan connect and research institutes, learn together with other students at institutions in Japan and as a responsible asset owner, Sophia continues contributing to solving various issues facing the global society through ESG investmentabroad.
In order As a prominent institution for Sophia university to further develop as a "university research and higher education in line with the world" that stands out in the harsh business environment due to the intensifying competitive environmentfields of social sciences, Sophia decided it was necessary to reform with bold humanities and free thinking that is not bound natural sciences, the university has been selected by existing concepts. In the report Japanese Ministry of the Central Education Council in August 2012, "Towards a qualitative change in university education to build a new future," Japan envisioned a society which "cultivates independent thinking and creativity." And this approach be one of the collaborative teaching profession is exactly the way for faculty and staff 37 universities to realize "knowledge-based independence, collaboration, and creative model". At the same time, the faculty members and staff of the academy will collaborate, or the staff will collaborate beyond the framework of the department to which they belong, to make feasible research and policy proposals receive funding for reforming the academy administration its innovation and education/research systeminternationalization efforts through its “Top Global University Project”. This is also On the development basis of the organizational network power of the entire academythis project, and contributes to the improvement of the organizational power. In University launched in the autumn semester of 2020, Sophia University will also start the “Sophia Program an innovative English-based undergraduate “Program for Sustainable Futures”, a new English-based Undergraduate Program offering bachelor's degrees in seven fields of studythat brings together 7 different disciplines: journalism, education, sociology, economics, management, international relations, and area studies. This program was initiated on the basis of Sophia University’s initiative for the Top Global University Project. The first group of undergraduate students will consist of 40 students. Sophia is located at the center of one of the busiest metropolitan cities in the world. This gives the university advantage and unique opportunities to engage with regional and local economic development efforts. All students at Sophia have the opportunity to work at the best companies in Tokyo, where they are required to think innovatively and creatively to tackle the problems industries are facing. Currently, Sophia University has traditionally been recognized as an international university, and it is thought that it will have the effect of bringing a new breeze to the region by inviting many international students. In terms of regional economic support, Sophia University visits the areas damaged by the Great Tohoku Earthquake every year to financially support the revitalization of the economy and the learning of students. In addition, the class provides financial support to refugees and those who have introduced their experiences of being damaged by the earthquake as research funds.
4. Going forward
Although Sophia University’s history with innovation and entrepreneurship is short, the institutions’ 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 elements.
Sophia is located at the center of one of the busiest metropolitan cities 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.
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