From the Senior Dean

Toward a Faculty of Science and Engineering That Shapes the Future

Chiharu Tokoro, Senior Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering
(Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering)

Since its establishment in 1908, Waseda University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering has, over the course of more than a century, nurtured numerous outstanding individuals and produced world-class research achievements, grounded in a free academic atmosphere and the spirit of “academic independence.” The three undergraduate schools—the School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, the School of Creative Science and Engineering, and the School of Advanced Science and Engineering—along with five graduate schools, two affiliated research institutes, and related centers, work closely together to address the challenges of today’s increasingly complex and sophisticated society, supported by a robust educational and research infrastructure.

Waseda University is promoting “Waseda Vision 150” as it approaches the 150th anniversary of the university’s founding in 2032, and the Faculty of Science and Engineering is also steadily advancing its long-term vision aimed at further enhancing education, research, and contributions to society. Furthermore, in 2033, the Faculty of Science and Engineering will mark the 125th anniversary of its founding—a significant milestone. We view these occasions not merely as anniversaries to be celebrated, but as opportunities to take a leap forward into a new era, and we will continue to create new value for the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

One of the key pillars supporting this vision for the future is the redevelopment of the Nishi-Waseda Campus. We are moving forward with the development of educational and research facilities—including the completion of the new Building 52—and are working to create an environment where students, faculty, and researchers can interact across disciplines and roles to generate new knowledge. In addition to enhancing our facilities, we aim to establish a world-class hub for science and engineering education and research by promoting the integrated development of education, research, industry-academia-government collaboration, and international exchange.

Society is undergoing a major transformation driven by rapid advancements in science and technology, including AI and data science, Green Transformation (GX), quantum technology, semiconductors, and robotics. At the same time, there is a greater need than ever to address global challenges such as climate change, energy and resource issues, population decline, and resilience to disasters. It is the critical mission of the Faculty of Science and Engineering to confront these multifaceted challenges head-on and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through science and technology.

To respond to these societal changes, the Faculty of Science and Engineering is steadily deepening basic research in various fields while actively promoting interdisciplinary and integrative research. Furthermore, we are strengthening industry-academia-government collaboration and international joint research to disseminate research findings that contribute to solving societal challenges worldwide, while also incorporating these findings into our educational programs to foster highly skilled science and engineering professionals who will lead the next generation.

In education, we aim to develop individuals who not only acquire in-depth expertise but also understand different fields and cultures, and are capable of identifying and solving problems independently. We actively incorporate the outcomes of cutting-edge industry-academia-government collaboration projects and international joint research with leading overseas universities and research institutions into our educational programs. Through these efforts, we cultivate science and engineering professionals who possess high ethical standards, a drive to take on new challenges, and the ability to thrive in a global society. Furthermore, in the realm of research, we are working to foster an open academic community where researchers from diverse fields, generations, and nationalities can inspire one another and co-create new knowledge, aiming to realize a world-leading research environment.

Looking beyond the 150th anniversary of the university’s founding and the 125th anniversary of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of society through the creation of knowledge and to remain a globally trusted center for education and research. By further deepening our collaboration with a diverse range of partners—including students, faculty and staff, alumni, corporations, local governments, and universities and research institutions both in Japan and abroad—we will pioneer a new era in science and engineering and help shape the society of the future.