Message from The President
Michinari Hamaguchi, D. Med.
Upon assuming the office of presidency of Nagoya University on April 1, 2009, I would like to say a few words. This year marks the 70th year since the foundation of the university. In this special year, I duly accept this important seat of presidency.
The economic crisis that originated in the US last year is giving a stormy damage to the world economy. We are now witnessing the enormous change in the world order　where many aspects become fluid and multi-polarized. Even the universities, the centers for science and knowledge, cannot be an exception to this social crisis. How the university organization can survive, and how we, as a higher education institute, should continue to foster the human resources of the next generation, are monumental issues that have been presented to us. Our university is, however, fortunate to have outstanding staff members, possessing sophisticated experience, knowledge and wisdom. Making use of this vital power combined with a clear mission, I am sure, we will be able to overcome the difficulties we are facing. As a pivotal and comprehensive research university, we have to realize our responsibility for the future of Japan and toward the young people of our country. It is our mission to educate our students to be rational and creative persons and outstanding human resources to the world; individuals that will be able to meet the needs of the constantly changing social demands.
We are proud of our free and vibrant academic culture, and with our school charter stating that Nagoya University shall cultivate courageous intellectuals endowed with powers to open up a new age. It is my honor to draw your attention to the fact that our ability in world-class research activities has been proven by three of our faculty members being awarded with the Nobel Prize last year. While making the most of our academic culture, we intend to move forward with balanced research activities, widely cultivating promising young researchers. For this reason, we need to support, not only the advanced research areas, but also the fields related to culture succession. At the same time, we also need to carry out research that responds to the social demands; which requires upgrading of a research environment that will allow continuing　to conduct leading global research. It is also important to enhance administrative efficiency and to improve the working environment of our staff members; which in turn will strengthen education and the research support system. It is also an important task to ensure a fundamental budget, which is becoming increasingly difficult every year, and to ensure a method to secure financing.
In Japan, a country with no natural resources except for its highly skilled manpower, the cultivation of excellent human resources is the most important mission for the university. I feel that we need to encourage our students to acquire an international viewpoint, to become independent social individuals, and to see the world through a broader perspective. In order to cultivate such individuals, the university will need to even more internationalize the education, and to put strong efforts into the enhancing of practical English language abilities. While emphasizing the education of learning in the pursuit of truth, we hope to develop a postgraduate program that allows for a collaboration of all departments. I am confident that realizing these efforts will make it possible for us to provide an education unique to our university with a free and vibrant academic culture.
In an era where values are diversified and complex, the mission imposed on Nagoya University, one of Japan's foremost fundamental and comprehensive research universities, is huge. I intend to put my full efforts into the progress of Nagoya University, so that it can carry on to be recognized as a university that cultivates courageous intellectuals endowed with powers to open up a new era, and to contribute to the advancement of science. I appreciate your support and cooperation for our efforts.