Taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by semi-privatization...

Following the semi-privatization of what were known as Japan's national universities, Osaka University made a fresh start on April 1, 2004. Semi-privatization was the most momentous change since its founding and, after this change, the administrative structure of the university changed drastically. The highest decision-making body no longer was the Council as it had been before. Now the President and Board of Trustees (8 in the case of Osaka University) discuss important issues and make the final decisions. In terms of the administration of the university, the Administrative Council was established to discuss important matters regarding management. The Education and Research Council was set up as the organization to deliberate on important matters regarding education and research. In addition, two auditors were added as well as an division for conducting accounting and auditing.

Semi-privatization proved to be an excellent opportunity for Osaka University. The university takes pride in the successful smooth transition to semi-privatization through the deliberations conducted mainly by the Investigative Commission regarding Preparation for Semi-privatization of Osaka University and the Investigative Commission regarding the Legal Status of Osaka University. Henceforth the university will work to clarify what should and can be done to further the growth of Osaka University, to establish priorities for measures to be taken and to be implemented for further improvements.

It's probably not an exaggeration to say that deterioration of higher education ensnares a nation in a downward spiral. In this sense, a university has important responsibilities. The purpose of Osaka University's being lies in producing able people earnestly needed by society, promoting basic research that private companies cannot do, and exploring new academic fields, rather than placing disproportionate emphasis on applied research. In other words, the raison d'etre of a university clearly lies in steadily implementing education and research.

Particularly now, all persons of the university must be conscious of the above and strive to implement appropriate rational steps which will, in the end, determine the future of Osaka University. Therefore, rather than placing priority on changes that will benefit one school or one portion of the university, all members should join in making a unified effort to promote reform so that semi-privatization will continue to contribute to the further development of Osaka University and produce benefits for each and all its members.

At Osaka University, basic policies of faculty organization are established based on Regulations on Organization at the National University Corporation Osaka University.

The Education and Information Board under the President and Board of Trustees serves as the headquarters for functions for general educational affairs. In schools and graduate schools, heads of graduate schools, schools, departments, and courses assume responsibilities for education and research.

At the schools and graduate schools themselves, faculty organization and student files for degrees, graduation, and completion are reviewed and approved at faculty meetings.

Courses and subjects provided at the university and research conducted at affiliated research facilities are decided in accordance with Regulations on Courses and Subjects and Research at Osaka University.

Individual teachers are responsible for their education and research; however, fundamentally, responsibilities are assumed by each laboratory.

The form of responsibility varies by school. In the School of Human Sciences, each laboratory professor assumes responsibilities on an equal basis. Associate professors, lecturers, and assistant professors are assigned to a professor. In the School of Economics, each professor, associate professor, lecturer, and assistant professor has their own laboratory and assumes the responsibility for such accordingly. In a large graduate school such as the Graduate School of Science, each department has a chief and some courses are managed under that department.