Message

Leader, Next-Generation Curriculum Review Working Group

Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies

Fumitoshi Kato

Since its establishment in 1990, SFC has aimed to cultivate individuals who are not confined to a single academic field, but who possess a broad perspective and can engage in problem identification and problem solving on a global scale. Now, nearly a quarter of a century since its founding, SFC has produced many individuals who are active as top runners in various fields. The problems we must tackle are becoming increasingly diverse and complex. We have upgraded our curriculum to foster individuals who can identify and solve the problems occurring in the world today and change society together with their peers.

The Faculty of Policy Management and the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies have evolved as "twin faculties," each highlighting its own unique characteristics. It is precisely because they are "twins"—"similar yet different," "different yet similar"—that a unique learning environment has been nurtured, one that allows for an approach to complex problems. The most important component of the SFC curriculum is the "Research Project (Seminar)," and if a student has decided on a theme, they can join a "Research Project" from their first year. With this curriculum revision, we aimed to create a system that enables students to discover and rediscover various possibilities from the beginning of their enrollment, to find peers to learn with, and to acquire the skills necessary to conduct excellent investigative research. The new curriculum is designed to support each and every student in finding a "Research Project" that they feel is right for them.

What is expected of SFC students is not merely to acquire knowledge, but to have the mindset and drive to apply it in the field and actively engage with society. To this end, an attitude of constantly being aware of one's own thoughts and actions and continuing the unceasing "reorganization of the self" is required. At SFC, we are waiting for students who, after fully understanding the concept and research content of this curriculum, have a strong desire to "learn at SFC" and are full of enthusiasm to tenaciously explore their research themes with their peers.