Our Philosophy: “Freedom and Enlightenment & Creation of the Future”
Shizuoka University came into being after the integration of the former Shizuoka High School, Shizuoka First Normal School and Shizuoka Second Normal School, Shizuoka Normal School for Youth, and Hamamatsu Technical College (formerly Hamamatsu Technical High School) in 1949, followed by the absorption of Shizuoka Prefectural College of Agriculture in 1951. Prior to their integration, the university’s predecessor institutions all had educational policies that placed importance on students’ independence, reflecting the liberal social atmosphere that prevailed in Japan under the “Taisho democracy” of the Taisho period (1912–1926). Of these institutions, the Hamamatsu School of Technology in particular espoused a philosophy of “freedom and enlightenment”, conducting a form of education that avoided restricting students through exams or rewards and punishments, and instead placed them in an environment that was as free as possible, aiming to give full rein to students’ talents by respecting each person’s individuality.
This philosophy of freedom and enlightenment is essential not only for education, but also for original research based on unfettered, free thinking and for mutually enlightening collaboration with society; it should therefore be handed down from one era to the next. Shizuoka University’s students and staff (faculty and administrators) recognize this, and continue to uphold the philosophy of “freedom and enlightenment” as a mainstay of our education, our research, and our collaboration with society, industry, and our peers overseas. Joining forces, our students and staff will take determined action to tackle local issues, as well as global issues, continually pursuing peace and happiness for humankind. In this way we will dedicate ourselves to the creation of the future—a future filled with hope.
Guided by its philosophy of “freedom and enlightenment, and creation of the future”, as defined above, Shizuoka University will continue contributing to the future of humankind and to the development of the local community by cultivating human resources through high-quality education and creative research. Its endeavors will be bolstered by respect and affection for the abundance of natural and cultural assets found in Shizuoka Prefecture, where the university is located.
Our Goals
▶ Educational Goals
We will cultivate human resources with a spirit of enterprise and strength of character, and cultivate those who respect a diverse range of cultures and values. With advanced specialist expertise and an international outlook, our students and staff will be capable of contributing to the future of humankind as well as the development of the local community.
We will cultivate such human resources by delivering high-quality education of an international standard and pursuing education that allows students to study independently and actively by working together with staff. Furthermore, we will take measures that enable students to play a part in local community-building by engaging in free and open interaction with local residents, exchanging knowledge, and liaising in order to work together in efforts to resolve local issues.
▶ Research Goals
We will pursue original research spanning the entire range from basic research, investigating facts through applied research for developing technologies and solving problems. We will contribute to human knowledge and to passing on and advancing academic culture by sharing the benefits of our research findings with the international and local communities, as well as with industry.
We will contribute to the development of the local community by conducting a diverse range of research as a regional knowledge hub. At the same time, we will also undertake world-leading research, aiming to become a global center of excellence in fields where our research is distinctive and particularly promising.
▶ Goals for Collaboration with Society and Industry
We will pursue education and research that is open to the society of which we are part. At the same time, we will contribute to society by working with others to tackle the issues it faces, by disseminating and sharing our research findings, and by co-creating knowledge and value.
We will develop mutually enlightening relationships between members of the local community and our students and staff, while contributing to the creation of value and sustainable development within the local community by working together with local residents to resolve issues.
Our activities to contribute to creating new industries and employment in the region will include cultivating human resources who can lead local innovation; undertaking joint research through collaboration among industry, government, academia, and finance; and supporting the activities of start-up businesses.
▶ International Collaboration Goals
We will cultivate human resources who can perform globally and the university will persevere to create a more international campus by enabling our students and teaching staff to experience a range of interactions with other countries and by proactively hosting international students.
We will pursue international collaboration rooted in the local community, joining forces with local residents as we bridge the gap between people, cultures, and industries, linking our local community to Asia, and to the world.
▶ University Administration Goals
Guided by our philosophy of freedom and enlightenment, and creation of the future, the administration of Shizuoka University will be based on a high degree of transparency and respect for the freedom of academic research. We will achieve our goals in terms of education, research, and collaboration with society, industry, and our peers overseas by improving the efficiency and suitability of our fundamental management structures. Furthermore, we will fulfill our social role as a national university by endeavoring to maintain an environment in which students and university staff can demonstrate their capabilities to the full, as well as by actively and optimistically accepting opinions and criticisms from inside and outside our organization and aiming to be a university that is more open to society.
