"The Dean's Bookshelf" is "A University to Create the Future" | Tomoyuki Kojima (Dean of the Faculty of Policy Management)
2004.08.26
"A University to Create the Future: The Trajectory of a Challenge at Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC)" was finally published by Keio University Press on August 20. As part of the SFC "Okashira Nikki" (Dean's Diary), I cannot help but mention this book.
SFC was established in the spring of 1990 and has continued to attract attention as a challenge demonstrating a new way for universities to be. As the editor, Hiroshi Magofuku, introduces in the afterword, "the emergence of SFC was a shocking 'incident' for the world of higher education in Japan."
Looking toward the 10-year milestone, in 1998, we established an external evaluation committee, asking Takeo Shiina, chairman of IBM Japan, to serve as its chair, and had them conduct an external review and evaluation. However, there was also a need to summarize the 10 years from within SFC, and we had a responsibility to indicate the direction of future challenges based on that summary. With that in mind, we began preparations for publishing a 10-year history in the fall of 2002. Consequently, it took two years until publication. The responsibility for taking too long lies with me for my delayed manuscript submission, and therefore, I have no choice but to promote this book.
Since its founding in the spring of 1990, Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) has been creating "a university to create the future." This book traces a 15-year trajectory, exceeding the initially planned 10 years, and also discusses the grand design for the next 15 years. SFC is always leaning forward, continuing to run, and the fact that faculty, staff, and students have shared the grand goal of realizing "a university to create the future" has made it possible to keep running and has brought about achievements we can be proud of. There is an expression "akkerakan" in the common language of SFC, and this book is filled with the aspiration to continue being "a university to create the future," speaking of both successes and failures with an "akkerakan" (open and unconcerned) attitude.
That is only natural. This is because this book was edited with all his heart by Mr. Magofuku, who poured his heart and soul into the founding and development of SFC as its Administrative Director and as a professor, right up until his sudden passing. I would like to pray for the repose of Mr. Magofuku's soul. I also want to thank Atsutaro Murakami, Administrative Director of the SFC Media Center; Motoki Yasui, a student in the Magofuku seminar; Iwao Kaneyasu, a professor at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies; and Kazuma Uemura of Keio University Press. Mr. Murakami and Mr. Yasui assisted "Magosan" (Mr. Magofuku) and managed all the practical editorial work. After Mr. Magofuku was appointed CEO of Yokohama City University, Professor Kaneyasu oversaw the final stages of the editing process to ensure there were no omissions.
I would like not only those affiliated with SFC, such as current students, alumni, and faculty and staff, but also academics from outside the Juku, as well as people in industry and government, to pick up this book. I especially hope that prospective students aiming for SFC and their parents will read it and that it will solidify their decision to enter SFC.
(Posted: 2004/08/26)