Beyond the First 125 Years

Since its foundation in 1897, Kyoto University has cultivateda spirit of creativity and originality in its students andresearchers through an institutional philosophy of academic
freedom founded on frank and open dialogue. From its
earliest days, the university has placed great importance on
steadily increasing its international presence—expanding
its partnerships and making a meaningful contribution to theinternational community.

Kyoto University has launched several projects to commemorate its 125 th anniversary that aim to enhance its
international competitiveness, strengthen its research capabilities, and promote social engagement. The
university aims to steadily develop its infrastructures for new-era education, research, and administration, andcontinue to evolve as a world-class research university.

Kyoto University’s international exchange and collaboration ispursued through close partnerships with institutions overseas,
student and researcher exchange programs, interdisciplinary
research collaboration, and a multitude of other activities.
The creative and groundbreaking accomplishments of theuniversity’s researchers continue to garner internationalrecognition in the form of prestigious accolades, such as theNobel Prize, Fields Medal, and other prestigious awards.

Kyoto University is an internationally-oriented institution that

One unique feature of Kyoto University’s syllabus is that it provides our undergraduate students with opportunities
to experience innovative and advanced research right from their first year of study—an approach rooted in theuniversity’s long-standing tradition of fostering a spirit of adventurous self-reliance and independence in its
students, as well as stressing the importance of hands-on interaction and dialogue.
In March 2021, I formulated my Key Presidential Policies. With the subtitle “Operating as a World-Leading
Research Institution,” the policies establish guidelines for the university’s efforts in the following six areas: I.
Education and Student Support, II. Support for Research Activities by Faculty Members, III. Improvement of theOperational Management System, IV. Facilities, V. Organizational Management, and VI. Fund-Raising Activities.
The policies seek to realize the vision for the university’s future that was established at the time of its selection for
the Japanese government’s Designated National University Initiative in 2017.
Currently, multiple complex issues threaten the health and lives of all people on Earth. Such issues include theunexpectedly rapid worsening of climate change, large-scale natural disasters, and environmental degradation,
as well as the escalation of international conflicts, widening economic disparity, and global pandemics. We
must now reaffirm our commitment to Kyoto University’s mission—we must earnestly and determinedly seek
solutions to the multifaceted and complex issues being faced around the world, and consistently share ourprogress with society.
Last year, Kyoto University celebrated the 125 th anniversary of its establishment. Throughout its history, theUniversity’s pioneering spirit of creativity and diversity has borne much fruit, but to maintain the productionof such nourishing fruit in the future, we must plant seedlings and cultivate them properly. By firmly linking
the University’s chain of achievements throughout the past 125 years to its future, we will continue to makethe utmost efforts to contribute to society through the creation of new intellectual value and the cultivationof outstanding human resources.

Enhancing international competitiveness“Cultivating global leaders”

welcomes diverse cultures and ways of thinking, and that encourages
academic freedom. Through that institutional culture, the university
seeks to foster the next generation of resilient global leaders.

Beyond the First 125 Years

Message from the President

Message from the President

Strengthening and expanding
research endeavors“Cultivating a new generation of creative human capital
to tackle challenging problems”
Kyoto University provides researchers with a rich environment
conducive to diverse innovation and creativity. It has produced

eleven Nobel laureates and numerous other recipients of prestigious

international awards. Its scholars have pioneered new frontiers indiverse academic fields, including primatology and Kitaro Nishida’s

Kyoto School of philosophy. The university will continue to cultivate
creative young researchers through those enduring traditions.

Promoting social engagement“Creation of new values for the benefit of society”
Through creative dialogue and proactive collaboration with diverse
stakeholders in Japan and overseas, Kyoto University will create newvalues based on the knowledge it has developed and apply thoseachievements for the benefit of society.

Nagahiro Minato
October 2023

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