Greeting from the President
Live Locally, Grow Globally
-- "to be a university that shines forth
even into the 22nd century" -- |
 |
 President HIRANO Toshio |
"Imperial Osaka University" was founded in 1931, thanks to the enthusiastic support of the citizens of Osaka and persons involved in the university, with two schools, Medicine and Science. However, our university's roots reach back to Tekijuku, a private "place of learning" founded by the doctor and scholar of Western sciences OGATA Koan at the end of the Edo period. Tekijuku's open academic culture and forward-looking spirit eventually gave birth to Osaka Prefecture Medical School and, eventually, to today's Osaka University.
When the schools of Law, Economics, and Humanities were established following the end of World War II, book collections possessed by Kaitokudo were passed on to Osaka University. Kaitokudo was a "place of learning" for merchants, founded by merchants, in Osaka in the late Edo period. These book collections were symbolic of the original scholarship and "Osaka spirit" that our university inherited with these tomes.
As can be seen, thanks to the support of the citizens of Osaka, the spirit and roots of Osaka University reach back to Kaitokudo and Tekijuku. Now, under the motto "Live Locally, Grow Globally," Osaka University has developed its graduate schools. Moreover, after going through transitions such as the legal status change to that of a national university corporation in 2004 and its merger with Osaka University of Foreign Studies in 2007, Osaka University has emerged as a genuine comprehensive university.
It is said that a 100-year national plan should focus on education. Japan's future depends on the development of our nation's human resources. Osaka University has produced many excellent scholars, educators, intellectuals, key government and business leaders and will continue to produce outstanding internationally-minded graduates.
Innovative technological development and the creation of a spiritually rich and peaceful society cannot be realized without advancement in the sciences. Society asks that universities promote fundamental academic research as a creative intellectual activity. I believe that the energy a university invests in fundamental academic research gives birth to fundamental strengths.
I am resolved to laying a foundation that will not chase fads, but will continue to strengthen Osaka University as an outstanding center of learning. We will continue to provide fundamental academic research and education that only a university can provide.
As the strength of any organization depends on the support of its members, Osaka University will continue to nurture a working environment in which all members can maximize their potential and all departments and research facilities can exhibit their originality.
Tekijuku introduced Western medicine and scholarship to Japan and thereby nurtured graduates who blazed paths in the early Meiji period for a modern Japan. Graduates included, among others, OMURA Masujiro, who laid the foundation of Japan's modern military and FUKUZAWA Yukichi, the founder of Keio University.
Now is the time to coalesce the wisdom of all members of the Osaka University community and lay a foundation on which Osaka University will continue to shine forth in the 21st century and even into the 22nd century as a world leader of both learning and education.
I ask for the support, understanding, and encouragement of each and every one of you as Osaka University continues going forward, shining and beckoning, into the future.
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