SFC at 150 | Hideyuki Tokuda (Dean, Graduate School of Media and Governance)
2005.12.14
I have safely returned after participating in the Ubiquitous Network Symposium 2005 (UNS2005), a presentation of research results for ubiquitous network-related projects, which was held at the Kyoto International Conference Center following ORF2005 at Roppongi Hills. At the conference, there were status reports and demonstrations on the research and development of five projects being advanced as national projects by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: "Research and Development of Ubiquitous Network Technology," "Comprehensive Research and Development of Network Human Interfaces (Network Robot Technology)," "Research and Development on Ubiquitous Sensor Network Technology," "Research and Development on Advanced Utilization Technology for Electronic Tags," and "Research and Development on Asian Ubiquitous Platform Technology." It was a great gain to have so many projects gathered in one place and to be able to experience cutting-edge demonstrations.
Now, let's talk about "SFC at 150." On one hand, there is the topic of what is being planned at SFC as part of Keio University's 150th-anniversary projects. On the other hand, there is also the topic of what kind of campus SFC, which was established in 1990, will have become in 2140 when it celebrates its 150th anniversary. Here, I would like to take a look at SFC in the year 2140.
Will SFC, which has just passed its 15th year, be able to reach its 150th year, ten times its current age? Pessimists might think that organizations like universities will not exist for that long in the first place. It is true that Keio University, which started as a school for Dutch studies in Tsukiji Teppozu, Edo, in October 1858, is only 147 years old. However, the oldest university, the University of Bologna in Italy, was founded around 1088 in the 11th century. The University of Paris was founded in 1150, and both have easily surpassed 850 years of history. However, there is no doubt that we are in a situation where we cannot predict the impact that factors such as the acceleration of a society with a declining birthrate and aging population, the incorporation of national universities, the spread of diverse higher education systems in a networked environment, and inter-university competition and collaboration at an international level will have on universities as we have known them.
Opinions are divided on what the conditions for a university's survival are. I believe that universities that cannot adapt to their environment and whose value is not recognized are destined to disappear, just as in the laws of the natural world. The point where Keio University excels in comparison to other universities is encapsulated in a sentence from the founding principles by Yukichi Fukuzawa.
"Keio University cannot be content with being merely a single school. Its purpose is to be a source of honorable character and a paragon of intellect and morals for the entire nation, and in practice, to clarify the true principles of household management, personal conduct, and governance, and not merely to speak of these, but through diligent practice and implementation, to strive to be a leader for all of society."
Even in 2140, if it is a Juku that aims to lead all of society through diligent practice and implementation, not just as a mere academic school, it will be able to survive as a world-leading university. This, too, is a challenge placed squarely on all of SFC's current students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
(Date of publication: 2005/12/14)