Deepen your inquiry and cultivate your character.
Creating the future from Tohoku

Haruki Onishi, President of Tohoku Gakuin University

Meeting the needs of the times
Advanced Human Resource Development Program

We are now in our fourth year since the opening of Itsutsubashi Campus, which was established under the banner of "Urban One Campus." We are pleased that this campus, where all faculties are gathered together, has taken root in this area and become a familiar part of the city.

The realization of a single campus has further advanced the integration of humanities and sciences, making it easier for students from different faculties to take general education courses together and participate in the same extracurricular activities. In particular, the "Mathematical Science, Data Science, and AI Education Program Accreditation System (MDASH)," which was certified by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2022, is attracting increasing student interest year after year. From the 2025 academic year, all faculties will receive higher-level (applied basic level) accreditation, and educational programs for developing even more advanced human resources will be offered to all students. The ability to learn the fundamentals of data utilization and AI, which are necessary in modern society, while enrolled in a humanities faculty is a strength unique to a comprehensive university.

Making use of knowledge and resources
Walking together with the community

We have established the "Future Door Center" on Itsutsubashi Campus as a hub for community collaboration. We regularly collaborate with nearby shopping districts, mainly on events such as the university festival and Christmas events. We have a long history of interaction with the local community; for example, the "Settlement Association," a volunteer circle with a 70-year history, still has over 100 student members and participates in various community activities such as children's cafeterias. In terms of connections with local companies, there are initiatives for regional revitalization by Faculty of Business Administration in collaboration with Japan Airlines Tohoku Branch, and student journalist activities in collaboration with the local newspaper, Kahoku Shimpo.

As the saying goes, "Universities are treasures of the community, and communities are treasures of universities." Communities and universities can support and develop together by mutually providing knowledge and resources. We want students to not only learn in the classroom but also to actively engage with the community. Students nurtured by the community will demonstrate strong adaptability and communication skills in the real world.

Towards the creation of new value
The advancing integration of humanities and sciences

Aiming for further integration of humanities and sciences and the development of human resources that can meet the demands of the times, we are planning to establish the "Department of Digital Design (tentative name) in the Faculty of Future Inquiry Science *" and the "Department of Department of Education (tentative name) in the Faculty of Education *" in 2027. The Faculty of Future Inquiry Science* will aim to solve regional issues and create new value for the region through the use of digital technology. As a comprehensive university located in Tohoku, which faces many challenges such as population decline, a shortage of workers, and the decline of primary industries, we aim to contribute to the region. The Faculty of Education* will be established by reorganizing and separating the current Department of Education in Faculty of Letters. In addition to the current teacher training program for elementary school and junior/senior high school English, we will add Japanese language and science. Furthermore, we will set up curricula that are different from those for obtaining a teaching license, such as lifelong learning and social education, and delve deeper into education in a broad sense.

In society, the declining birthrate and population decrease are progressing, and Tohoku is said to be a leading region facing these challenges. However, it is precisely because we are in the midst of these challenges that people confront them and strive to take on the challenges with courage. Our university has a history built up by our predecessors and a passion to inherit and develop it. Under the teachings of our founding spirit, "LIFE LIGHT LOVE," we hope that you will pursue limitless possibilities, learn to your heart's content, and spread your wings from Tohoku to the world.

• *Planned to be installed in April 2027.
• *The installation plan is tentative and the details may change.