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

Physically located Sophia University (Jouchi Daigaku 上智大学) is one of the most prominent private universities in Japan. Founded in 1913 by the heart Roman Catholic religious order of Tokyo, right across the Imperial PalaceSociety of Jesus, it is also close to the socio-economic and political core has grown from its three original departments of Japanese society. From its early days the university has been a centre for internationalization Philosophy, German Literature, and Commerce 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 NHK)nine undergraduate faculties and ten graduate schools, global development (international organizations like the United Nations)with over 13, or global business (multinational corporations)900 students in total.

== 2While physically located in the heart of Tokyo, right across the Imperial Palace, Sophia University is also close to the socio-economic and political core of Japanese society. Core features From its early days, the University has been a center for internationalization and to this day continues to act as a bridge to the wider world. Many of its unique contribution to society ==graduates find their way into fields such as the media (national broadcasters like NHK), global development (international organizations like the United Nations), or global business (multinational corporations).

The university’s core values of respect for equality, diversity ==Promoting Student Innovation 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, for instance, the support activities focused on refugees, or the areas damaged by the Great Tohoku Earthquake, to name a few.Entrepreneurship==

Sophia University is continuously developing as a higher education institution. In recent years, it has been promoting educational shifted away from a classical discipline-based institution to one that aims to be more innovative and research activities based on a spirit student-centered. An example is the Faculty of charity Liberal Arts (FLA), which offers English-taught undergraduate degrees. This faculty has increased interactions between Japanese and globalism through encounters international students, and dialogues with people many of diverse backgrounds its professors have been at the university’s forefront in the hope to bring forth solutions to the many problems that torment our world todayadopting innovative teaching methods.

Recently, as an institution, it Sophia University has been increasingly focused on the environment and sustainable development. Many of its programs have conscientiously incorporated courses that relate related to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs (a set forth of global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015). As a prominent institution for research 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 funding project initiated by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to support the innovation and internationalization efforts of universities. Based on this project, Sophia University launched a new English-based undergraduate program called “Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures” (SPSF) in the fall of 2020. This program brings together seven different disciplines (journalism, education, sociology, economics, management, international relations, and area studies) and is designed to foster interdisciplinary and action-oriented learning.

In November 2015, it also signed Another English-taught degree program known as the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) supported by Faculty of Science and Technology aims to educate future scientists and technologists to become productive members of the United Nations, aiming to realize a sustainable societyglobal community. These principles advocate Students at the incorporation Faculty of environmental, societal Science and corporate governance concerns into investment decisions. As Technology seek a private corporation that operates education deeper understanding of human development and research institutes, harmonious coexistence with people and as a responsible asset owner, Sophia assumes its responsibility and brings its contribution to solving the various issues facing our global society through its ESG investmentnature.

== 3In addition to these curricular programs, there have been interactive events for students to engage with and spark innovation. Recent developments/achievements in research United Nations Week and education, with Mirai 2.0 Research and Innovation Week are a focus on education) ==few annual events that allow active learning through the collaboration of industries and academic institutions.

Responding Overall, the university’s core values of respect for equality, diversity, and contribution to the need to further develop 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 a “university in line with the world”support activities focused on refugees, Sophia University has been taking bold steps in rethinking or the areas damaged by the old approach Great Tohoku Earthquake, to teaching name a few. Extracurricular clubs that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and learning. Through various initiatives it has sought creativity include Horizon (a student empowerment organization committed to inspiring youth to reform “Towards a qualitative create innovative solutions for social change ) and Sophia Start-up Club (Sophia University’s first entrepreneurship organization established in university education to build a new future” for the Japanese society2021). Other programs that generate awareness and fundamental elements of I&E include TEDxSophia, Sophia University Future Center, fostering Yotsuya Hatch (a “knowledgestart-up pitch event organized by Sophia Start-based independenceup Club), collaboration and creative model” which “cultivates independent thinking and creativity”. Hult Prize OnCampus Program (Report of the Central Equation Council, August 2012an annual global competition for pitching business ideas that tackle various social issues).

Through its participation in the Inter-University Exchange Project called the “Collaborative Online International Learning”, Sophia University offers programs towards Human Security ==Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Multicultural Coexistence. Students in Japan connect and learn together with other students at institutions in Japan and abroad.Entrepreneurship==

As Responding to the need to further develop as a prominent institution for research and higher education “university in line with the fields of social sciencesworld, humanities and natural sciences, the ” Sophia University has been selected by taking bold steps in rethinking the Japanese Ministry of Education to be one of 37 universities old approach to receive funding for its innovation teaching and internationalization efforts through its “Top Global University Project”learning. Based on this projectThrough various initiatives, the University launched it has sought to reform “towards a qualitative change in the autumn semester of 2020 an innovative Englishuniversity education to build a new future” for Japanese society and foster a “knowledge-based undergraduate “Program for Sustainable Futures” that brings together seven different disciplines: journalismindependence, educationcollaboration, sociologyand creative model” which “cultivates independent thinking and creativity” (Report of the Central Equation Council, economics, management, international relations and area studiesAugust 2012).

== 4However, while Sophia University has focused on working in the areas of innovation in recent years, the institution lacks resources for promoting entrepreneurship. There continue to be limitations, such as not having offices, faculties, or organizations that are specifically focused on encouraging students to explore I&E. Sophia University hopes to improve on these areas in the near future through new programs such as SPSF. Going forward ==

Although Sophia University’s history with innovation and entrepreneurship is short, ==Actively Supporting 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.University Technology Transfer Function==

Sophia University is active in funding and supporting research programs through the Sophia Research Support Organization. The Organization has been exploring the possibility of further expanding its research support system and providing enhanced support for faculty to commercialize their research. It aims to act as an incubator that would facilitate successful technology transfers, licensing, and innovation projects. In this way, Sophia University is working to advance development projects through collaboration between industry, government, and academia.  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.