Radical changes have ensued in the wake of ever more rapid globalization. In response, the university actively advocates “Connect with people and tie in with the world.” This means making frequent close face-to-face contact with people. Naturally, we reach out to people within Aichi Prefecture and Japan, but we also seek close ties with people all over the world. Working hand in hand with others, through knowledge and action, in myriad small ways we can help to make the world a better place.

1. Connect with people with different cultures and extend active links to localities across the globe Rich cultural diversity exists both in Japan and in other parts of the world. In current times, marked by the rapid spread of nationalist sentiment, we urgently need to deepen mutual understanding through intercultural exchange.

2. To stimulate education: cooperation and collaborative research by the university’s five schools Cross-cultural exchange thrives in the ground of research and education. The university has connected research fields which had become compartmentalized and divided, and the five schools have joined to cooperate in collaborative research involving different disciplines.

3. By studying about and inquiring into “life,” we take an “anthropological approach towards learning” Through collaboration between the university’s five schools we study about and inquire into “life.” Life is undoubtedly the one thing we all share as people, and it is something granted equally to each of us.

Rei KUFUKIHARA
President, Aichi Prefectural University