Waseda Next 125Transforming to Become the Global "WASEDA"

On October 21, 2007, Waseda University celebrated its 125th Anniversary. To prepare for what lies ahead for the next 125 years, we are establishing a strategic roadmap for the first 10 years, which we have termed the "Global University." It outlines a plan to transform the University into a globally-recognized institution of higher learning, hereinafter to be referred to as "WASEDA."

Global issues, such as those which concern the environment, natural resources, population, and poverty transcend the confines of national boundaries, and require solutions which can only be realized from an international framework of mutual dependence. Beyond participation in mere discourse on these issues, we must bring to bear the full scope of academic scholarship with its relentless, limitless search for truth and challenge the prejudice of established notions. In other words, a "search for truth transcending national boundaries." It is the inherent mission of Waseda University to search for truth, and through this pursuit, present our findings and solutions as part of a broad contribution to society as a whole.

While having advocated the theme of "The Symbiotic Creation of Knowledge in the Asia-Pacific Region" for sometime, we also broadly recognize the needs of facilitating the global interchange of knowledge and the formation of an international human network, all while engaging in competition amongst world-class universities. WASEDA will lay the foundations for a convergence of knowledge where cultures can freely intermingle and coexist, creating a dynamic educational environment where diverse elements of learning, culture, language, and beliefs are exchanged. This is the essence of the Global Campus.

Cultivating Global Citizens
By promoting the advancement of an educational system that incorporates the coexistence of diverse cultures, we endeavor to cultivate global citizens, or future generations who are "globally aware" and have a "global perspective." Along with providing our students at least one opportunity to study abroad during their university careers, we will seek to attract qualified applicants from across the globe, and establish a comprehensive, academic environment which is designed to enroll 8,000 international students.

Transformation of the educational program of WASEDA as a whole, into the "Global College," will entail the expansion of the Double Degree Program beyond Asian universities, to include Western universities; the promotion of the international collaboration of knowledge; the establishment of multilingual educational opportunities; an increase in the number of non-Japanese faculty members; and providing dormitory facilities where Japanese and foreign students are able to live side by side.

We aim to draw out the untapped potential of our students by providing a variety of opportunities, such as the establishment of a core education program; literacy education in academic writing for first- and second-year undergraduates; language and liberal arts education; and community-based education through partnerships between Waseda University and private industry. Additionally, we will strive to promote our students’ overall health and well-being through a comprehensive approach incorporating exercise, diet, medical care, and counseling support, in order to bring about the "Healthy Campus Waseda Program" to fruition.

Rapid Transformation into an International Research University
Fueled by the needs of today, such as those brought about by pressing global environmental issues, we are seeing the germination of new academic fields. Besides research into innovative, scientific technologies, what is required is the adoption of a combination of research approaches, such as observation methods derived from the natural sciences; a social sciences approach which considers politics, economics, law, etc.; and humanistic techniques which apply philosophy and value systems. In other words, to forge ahead with our vision of future society, we will be required to pioneer academic fields that merge the humanities and the sciences. It has been said that Waseda University's strengths lie in its approach to education and research, a comprehensive fusion of theory and application of the academic fields mentioned above.

We will oversee an expansion in our research into the advanced medical technology field, a conglomeration of the fields of medical science, science and engineering, and the life sciences; as well as an expansion in the number of regional research programs being conducted around the world. In coordination with domestic and international universities, research institutions, and corporations, Waseda affirms its commitment to take on the challenges in the fields of advanced research in the 21st century, as well as pursue solutions to solve global issues.

Led by the Waseda Institute for Advanced Study, it is essential to cultivate young researchers who will establish new academic fields of study by providing them with independent research environments, without placing any limits on the research fields they choose. By supporting the activities of future generations of researchers, we aim to become a major hub for world-class research.

Promotion of Dialogue Between Academia and Society
We seek to promote dialogue between academia and society, as well as serve as a bridge. With a firm understanding of society's expectations, and continuous systemic dialogue with academia as assets to draw upon, WASEDA can answer society's needs by proposing and setting standards. Through further encouragement of practical, research applications towards society and the reinvestment of advanced research into education, we will contribute to system design, technological innovation, as well as social reform in both Japan and the world.

Expansion of professional graduate schools, and the incorporation of practical science by fusing theory and application will enable the University to answer society's needs. Integrating volunteer activities into the educational curriculum will also work to make tangible educational contributions to society. Moreover, we will actively promote international and regional exchanges through sports, and work to enhance a comprehensive university athletics program that will live up to the ideals of "WASEDA."

Every corner of the globe holds a potential source of learning. WASEDA will work with alumni who are active around the world in order to facilitate societal contributions on both a regional and global scale.

The motto, "Transforming Japan's Waseda into the world's WASEDA" captures the essence of our endeavor to become a leading, world-class education and research institution, striving to cultivate global leaders who are instilled with a strong sense of humanity and rich learning.

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