Nitob e Col le ge, Hok k a ido Un iver s it y

Hokkaido University Nitobe College Alumni Network Magazine

December 1 , 2 0 2 3No.

4

Hokkaido University Nitobe College Alumni Network Magazine

Towards a New Nitobe College〈Contents〉

1. Towards a New Nitobe College
2. Alumni Updates
3. Education Program:

Undergraduate Education Course

4. Education Program:

Graduate Education Course

5. Nitobe College Updates
6. Nitobe College Fellows,
Mentors, and Faculty
Members

7. Messages from Faculty Members
To Nitobe College Alumni
Website and Facebook
Account Addresses

Nitob e Col le ge, Hok k a ido Un iver s it y

①

②

③

① Sapporo Agricultural College Farm No. 2② Monument in Honor of Dr. Inazo Nitobe in the
Hokkaido
University
Nitobe College Alumni Network Magazine
FloweringTree
Garden③ Ono Pond
December 1 , 2 0 2 3

TANI Hirofumi
Assistant to the Vice-Principal in the Graduate
Education Course and Educational Support
Manager, Nitobe College, Hokkaido University

No.

4

In May 2023, Japan downgraded the legal status of COVID-19 to Class 5, the same category
as the seasonal flu. Since then, social activities, including people's movements, have gradually
returned to pre-pandemic levels. Various events are now being held without restrictions, andinternational tourists are once again flooding the streets. I feel that society is finally regaining
its vigor. University classes and events have also returned to normal, and the number ofenrollments in Nitobe College, which dropped during the pandemic, is now on the rise. Of
course, the change in classification under the infectious disease law does not mean that the
spread of COVID-19 has been fully contained. As of August, high concentrations of COVID-19
RNA were still being detected through wastewater monitoring by Sapporo City. We may havereached a point where coexistence with the virus has become the norm. In any case, we mustremain vigilant. Meanwhile, recent studies are revealing that the genes of the virus have been
incorporated into the host genome, contributing to its evolution. Perhaps we are standing on thecusp of humanity's next evolutionary leap.
In 2013, Nitobe College was launched for undergraduate students. Then, in 2015, Nitobe School
was established for graduate students. In 2019, the undergraduate and graduate programs were
integrated into a renewed Nitobe College. This interdisciplinary education program has been
operated thus far with funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, andTechnology (MEXT) 's Top Global University Project. However, as this financial backing runsout at the end of the academic year 2023, Nitobe College will begin to operate independently
from the academic year starting in April 2024. Seizing this opportunity, Nitobe College aims
to reinvent itself. Based on extensive discussions in working groups led by Vice-Principal
YUHAZU Kazuyori and building on Nitobe College's track record so far, we have establisheda new framework focused on further development and qualitative improvement of our program.
Specifically, the existing Foundation and Honors Programs (each with Undergraduate andGraduate Education Courses) will be restructured into an Honors Program (HP; offering
undergraduate and graduate curricula). In place of the Foundation Program will be a PreProgram open to all students (PP; also offering undergraduate and graduate curricula). As ageneral rule, students will be required to have completed the Pre-Program Courses relevant totheir curriculum to be admitted into the Honors Program. Meanwhile, students who complete
the HP undergraduate curriculum above a certain level of distinction will be exempt from taking
the graduate PP courses. This will further enhance continuity from undergraduate to graduatelevels. For details, please visit the Nitobe College website or pick up our new brochure.
While the framework and system may change, Nitobe College's educational philosophy remains
constant. Through the Pre-Program Courses, which are open to all students, we can spread the
instruction and learning of Nitobe College to more students. In the Honors Program, designed
for Nitobe College students, we will introduce an advanced level of instruction and learning.
I am confident that this will nurture outstanding talent from Hokkaido University who canhelp robustly guide society towards a brighter future. I ask all readers of this magazine tokeep a close eye on the new Nitobe College and sincerely ask for your continued support andcooperation in our endeavors.

ACROSS

Continue learningin order to solve
societal issues
SAHBOUN-JIN Akari
Global Research
Department, Macromill, Inc.

Think globally,
act locally.
MAFUNE Sota
FoundingBase Co., Ltd.

March 2020: Completed the Undergraduate
Education Course.
September 2020: Completed the Graduate
Education Course (Foundation Program).

March 2020: Completed the Undergraduate
Education Course.

After earning a degree from the Graduate School of Humanities andHuman Sciences at Hokkaido University, I started working as a
researcher in the Global Research Department of Macromill, Inc. I
am responsible for market research in Japan for foreign-affiliatedcompanies and overseas research for Japanese firms, supporting theentry of foreign companies into the Japanese market and the launchof Japanese companies into overseas markets.

Hoping to change my introverted ways from my high school days, I immersed
myself in campus and external events every week in my college days, aiming tolead a highly motivated college life. Consequently, for better or worse, I foundmyself not quite fitting into the normal student life and came to realize thevastness of the world and my own sense of helplessness. Among thoseexperiences, the foremost achievement was meeting someone I still admire.
Conversely, my greatest regret is not taking time to indulge in any silliness or
frivolity. In order to avoiding a job search solely focused on social contribution, I
took a leave of absence in the latter half of my senior year and interned at a localorganization. Watching people dedicated to fulfilling visions that stir empathy, I,
once obsessed with the notion of “global,” earnestly wished to build a world
starting from my immediate surroundings, approximately within a radius of fivemeters.

An unforeseen career
path forgedat Nitobe School
HARIGAYA Motoki
for Startups, Inc.
March 2018: Completed Nitobe School(Graduate) (Foundation Program).

I earned a degree from the Graduate School of Agriculture at
Hokkaido University and currently support startup companies at
Startups, Inc.
I researched sediment disasters as a student, but now find myself
dedicated to a different specialty. I feel that one of the catalysts forthis shift in my career path was my experience at Nitobe School.
I joined Nitobe School after coming across it in syllabi while ingraduate school. Having spent most of my elementary and juniorhigh school years in the Netherlands, I initially joined the program
seeking an opportunity to once again speak English. As I
participated in the program and worked on teams with people ofvarious nationalities, I began aspiring to work in an internationalsetting in the future.
My aspiration led me to join the Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO) after graduation, where I worked in Tokyo and Hokkaido
to support the overseas expansion of small- and medium-sizedenterprises and to collaborate with international institutions infostering an environment conducive to local innovation.
Subsequently, driven by a desire to make a greater contribution to
Japan's innovation, I daringly made a career shift to Startups, Inc.
I still have a long way to go, but I attribute my ability to follow thiscareer path to my experience at Nitobe School.

Currently, I am engaged in city promotion initiatives in the small city of Bibai.
This involves diligently working to create a fulfilling life by conversing about the
future with local residents and turning these discussions into tangible outcomes,
one by one. Nevertheless, as I advance towards becoming the person I aspire to
be and shaping the world I envision, I truly feel a sense of joy. I believe that any
place can be good. I hope people can feel the vastness and excitement of the world
by striving to live the life they want and to create the world they envision. Pleasejoin me in enjoying this challenging yet rewarding game we call life.

Diversity
breeds possibility

A lumni Up date s

In retrospect, the problem-solving skills and teamwork skills I
gained at Nitobe College through various programs have been
particularly beneficial in my current career. Problem-solving skills
come into play when I consider how to conduct research to solve thebusiness challenges faced by our clients. Meanwhile, teamwork
skills prove valuable when I collaborate with colleagues fromdiverse backgrounds to complete a project. I attribute thedevelopment of these two skills to my step-by-step participation in
the First Step Program (FSP), international internship, international
volunteer work, and exchange program during my student days. I
am profoundly grateful to the teachers and Fellows who guided me
towards these programs. Moving forward, I intend to continuehoning these skills to become a business professional who cancontribute to solving societal issues.

No.4

KOIDE Hiroaki
Research and Development Group,
Hitachi, Ltd.
September 2019: Completed the Graduate
Education Course (Foundation Program).
September 2020: Completed the Graduate
Education Course (Honors Program).

Since earning a master's degree at the Hokkaido University Graduate
School of Engineering, I have been engaged in the research anddevelopment of decarbonization technologies as a researcher at
Hitachi, Ltd. As a corporate researcher, my work is not limited toresearch activities but extends to various tasks including the practicalapplication of new technologies and the acquisition of intellectual
property. Looking back, I see how pivotal my time at Nitobe College
has been in shaping my career.
At Nitobe College, I took part in practice-oriented lectures where I
worked on teams composed of members with different areas ofexpertise and nationalities to solve problems. The diversity withinthese teams fostered a variety of perspectives, yet early on, different
debate styles among the members made it challenging to engage inproductive discussions. As I alternated between lectures and practical
exercises, however, I developed the mindset and behavior necessary toenable every member to contribute and maximize our team's collective
strength. Although my learning journey continues, I believe I madesignificant strides through such exercises.
Moreover, the connections I made at Nitobe College are also valuableassets. I received, and continue to receive, inspiration from interactions
with my classmates, Mentors, and teachers, both before and after
graduation. I encourage everyone to make the most of the Nitobe
College network for a fruitful student life.

2

Education Program: Undergraduate Education Course■ Global Foundation Course■ Career Development Seminar

The Global Foundation Course, a compulsory course in the Foundation
Program, is designed for provisionally enrolled first- and second-year
students. The first half of this course, offered in the spring term, is on
International Understanding and Study Abroad, and consists of a series ofomnibus lectures given by instructors with extensive international
experience. The second half of the course titled Leadership andTeamwork is offered in the summer term and centers on groupwork. In
the summer term of academic year 2022, we collaborated with the
Sapporo City Development Policy Bureau, whose representatives assisted
in presenting issues, facilitated Q&A sessions, and provided feedback on
final student presentations. Additionally, as was the case last year, tutors
supported the classes, thereby providing opportunities for Nitobe College
students to establish both vertical and horizontal connections. Looking
ahead, we are committed to further refining the course content to moreclosely align it with the College's educational goals.

This course helps students cultivate the ability to build their own
futures. Here, Nitobe College Fellows serve as partners for students,
while students serve as partners for other students. In academic year
2022, a two-day overnight training session was held at Napal(Neiparu?) Fukagawa, a Hokkaido youth center for experiences andactivities. Held for the first time in three years, this session was
more effective in strengthening the rapport between students andFellows and facilitating lively discussions than previous online oron-campus sessions. This experience reaffirmed the indispensable
nature of overnight training sessions in fostering in-depth
discussions on career paths away from everyday settings.

■ Fellow Seminar■ Dialog (Taiwa) ProgramThis compulsory course for Foundation Program students offers asmall-group, problem-solving exercise format under the guidanceof Nitobe College Fellows. In academic year 2022, seven themes
were selected, and students explored contemporary societal issues
in groups. During the 2023 presentation symposium, core tutors
w h o s u p p o r t e d t h e S e m i n a r, p r o v i d e d c o m m e n t s a b o u t e a c hgroup's presentation alongside the lead Fellow. We will continue toimprove our seminars to make them more fulfilling with thesupport of our tutors and support staff.

This program offers students opportunities to interact one-on-one with
Nitobe College Fellows to improve their leadership capabilities. In
academic year 2022, sessions were held primarily online with somesessions also taking place in person on campus. This year, a number ofstudents had their first chance to engage with Fellows face-to-face. These
encounters served as a vivid reminder of the appeal of direct, in-person
dialog. As academic year 2023 will be the final year of this program, weplan to offer other opportunities for in-person dialog, with the goal of
facilitating even more fulfilling conversations.

2022 Dialog (Taiwa) Program Fellows
ISHIKAWA Yuichi,

INOUE Shuhei,

SHISAI Satoko,

SHIBUE Takao, SHIMADA Motoo,

Fellow

Fellow■ Overseas Study
Overseas Study is mandatory for Nitobe College students and aims to develop theirglobal perspectives. Nitobe College awards credits in Overseas Study to students who
have successfully completed a Student Exchange Program, a Short-Term Overseas
Special Program, an International Internship Program, or a short-term overseas study
program registered as a specialized subject by an undergraduate school, among otherprograms. In academic year 2022, most students had the opportunity to go abroad, withthe exception of a few programs at Hokkaido University's overseas partner institutions
that were conducted exclusively online. Meanwhile, by continuing to offer online
courses for short-term study abroad programs, we provided opportunities for students
who find it difficult to study abroad for a long period of time to earn the necessary
credits for Overseas Study programs while simultaneously enhancing their motivation
to participate in international education.

3

Fellow

Fellow

OHTSUKA Eiko,
Fellow

FellowKAYANO Satoru, SASAKI Ryouko,
Fellow

FellowHINO Mineko,

MORI Junko,

Fellow

Fellow

ACROSS

No.4

Education Program: Graduate Education Course
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the classes and activities of the
Graduate Education Course were conducted online or in a hybrid format
during academic years 2020 and 2021. In 2022, with comprehensive infection
control measures in place, we were able to resume face-to-face classes.
Additionally, we combined online and in-person methods as necessary,
employing online tools like the Miro online whiteboard for team discussions.
Among the classes and events conducted in the last academic year, this section
introduces key subjects in the Foundation Program and the Honors Program, as
well as the Mentor Forum.

■ Foundation I, Foundation II: Basics and Practice ofTeam-based Learning (subjects in the Foundation Program)
In Foundation I, we primarily focused on classes that develop teamwork
skills, grounded in the fundamental elements of the “3+1 competencies,”
such as creative thinking, critical thinking, and leadership. Students also
deepened their understanding of the 3+1 competencies, which they would
need to leverage the specialized skills nurtured in the Graduate Education
Course to identify and solve problems.
In Foundation II, students explored professional ethics in the first two
sessions. In subsequent sessions, they delved into the fundamentals of project
management (PM) to ensure effective and efficient collaboration withinteams. Building on the knowledge and skills acquired in Foundation I, as
well as on the principles of professional ethics, they practically implemented
these lessons (skills?) in two projects, thereby deepening their mastery of
PM. The first project in the summer term has been a part of the curriculum
since 2021; its title is “How Can We Solve an Urban Brown Bear Problem in
Sapporo?” Students were tasked with devising innovative solutions to thefrequent sightings of brown bears in Sapporo's residential areas. The topic
attracted significant interest from the students, as it not only represents apressing local issue but also aligns with the SDGs for coexistence between
humans and nature. The second project during the summer term has been apart of the curriculum since 2018; its title is “Campus for Camp: A Refugee
Response Plan in Sapporo.” It envisions opening the Hokkaido University
campus as a refugee camp. Each team chose one of three sub-topics—
housing, meals, or education—and established final objectives to beaccomplished over a three-year period. Students then crafted detailed plans
employing project management principles to achieve these objectives. For
the second project in the winter term, we introduced a new topic titled“Promote Hokkaido to the World.” Each team was tasked with developing
unique strategies to promote Hokkaido globally. They also employed project
management principles to outline processes for the implementation of thesestrategies. In the final class, each team presented their achievements. For the
winter term of 2022, we invited Mr. NAKAJIMA Tetsu, a Mentor, to provide
feedback on these presentations. He also delivered a lecture based on his own
experiences utilizing project management principles in the workplace.

■ Advanced I, Advanced II: Problem Finding &Problem Solving (subjects in the Honors Program)
In Advanced I, SDGs were established as the overarching theme for the spring
and fall terms, with students working to address related challenges. The springterm focused on the theme “Some Solutions for Food Security,” examining foodissues faced by humans and exploring potential solutions. In the fall term, groupsof students selected SDGs that aligned with their own interests and consideredsolutions and business ideas related to their chosen goals.
In Advanced II, a single theme was selected for each term (summer term:“Challenges for Foreign Workers in Hokkaido”; winter term: “Diversity inSociety—As One Can Grow from Difference”). Students analyzed data collected
through fieldwork, including various interview surveys, and worked to identify
issues that should be considered in materializing an inclusive society. During thesummer term, we invited business professionals working on the frontlines of theirfields to serve as quasi-mentors in classes. They provided discussion topics,
offered advice on groupwork and fieldwork, and gave feedback on presentations.
This approach proved highly beneficial for students, as it enabled them to identify
issues related to the theme of the summer term while drawing on examples ofbusinesses that support the employment of foreign workers in local areas.

■ Mentor Forum
Mentor Forum was held in person on June 18th and December 17th under the themeof “Think About Your Career Path.” The first forum saw the participation of seven
Mentors, while the second was attended by six Mentors. In academic year 2022, a
student-led Mentor Forum Executive Committee was established. With thesupport of faculty members and the Nitobe College Office, students have been at
the forefront of organizing and managing these forums. During the lectures,
Mentors shared advice and insights based on their own careers and real-world
experiences. The students found great inspiration in hearing from accomplishedalumni who are globally active in various fields. In the networking sessions that
followed, students actively asked questions about and sought advice on theirresearch activities at the university and upcoming job-hunting efforts. Mentor
Forum has proven an excellent opportunity for fostering students' careerawareness, broadening theirsocietal
perspectives,andbuilding their personal networks.

4

Nitobe College Updates

From enrollment to completion at Nitobe College
Graduate Education Course Undergraduate Education CourseFirst Year

Second Year＊

Third Year

Fifth Year＊＊＊＊Foundation Program＊

Global Foundation Course (International Understanding and Study
Abroad, Leadership and Teamwork),
Fellow Seminar, Practical English forOverseas Education

Sixth Year＊＊Six-year undergraduate programs

Second-year students and students in
the Modern Japanese Studies Program

Titles & Awards
Summa cum Laude
Magna cum Laude
Cum Laude
Associate

Honors Program

Overseas Study (Student Exchange Program, short-term overseas study program registered as a
specialized subject by an undergraduate school, International Internship Program), Career Development Seminar, Advanced Seminar, Dialog (Taiwa) Program

Foundation Program

M2＊＊＊

M1＊＊＊

Honors Program

Foundation I, Foundation II,
Foundation Seminar for Graduate Students

Master's degree programs andprofessional degree programs＊＊＊

Advanced I, Advanced II, Special Seminars for Graduate Students

Titles & Awards
Associate (Graduate)
Highest Honors■Undergraduate Education Course■Graduate Education Course(students)(students)●Numbers of Enrollees and Graduates

300

222

200

203

186

161

0

0

0

0

28

33

129 135

192

100

100
15

200

199
152

129

41

■Enrollees(students)

245

212

57

42

30

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

(academic
year)●Career Choices of Undergraduate Education
Course Students (in academic year 2022)

0

149
108 114 106

78

64

46

109 105
67 65

74 69

7

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Private enterprises

10 students

5 students (in Japan)

Advancement to a doctoral course
at Hokkaido University

5 students

3 students

Undecided

2 students

Government organizations

2 students

Advancement to graduate school at Hokkaido University

14 students

Advancement to graduate school at another university
Undecided(academic
year)●Career Choices of Graduate Education
Course Students (in academic year 2022)
88 students

6 students

Science

Global Food
Resources

Agriculture

Environmental
ScienceEngineering

Chemical Sciencesand Engineering■Graduates

Still enrolled in graduate schoolat Hokkaido University

Private enterprises

6

5

4

Life Science

6

3
Information Scienceand Technology

51●Numbers of Enrollees and Graduates■Enrollees ■Graduates(students)

1

Medicine

11

4

School of
Fisheries Sciences

School of
Dental Medicine

School ofMedicine

School of
Science

School of
Economics
and Business

School of Law

School of
Education

School of Humanities
and Human Sciences

First-year Education
Division (sciences)

8

School of
Veterinary Medicine

12

8

2

8

Health Sciences

33

9

9

18
13

Public Policy

36

School of
Agriculture

35

School ofEngineering

39

21

Education

56

46

School of
Pharmaceutical
Sciences

51

45

25
20
15
10
5
0

International Media,
Communication,
and Tourism Studies

107

First-year Education
Division (liberal arts)

120
100
80
60
40
20
0

●Enrollment by graduate school/faculty inacademic year 2022 (111 students in total)

Graduate School of
Humanities andHuman Sciences
Economics andBusiness●Enrollment by school/program in academic
year 2022 (491 students in total)

5

Fourth Year

ACROSS

No.4

Nitobe College Fellows, Mentors, and Faculty Members
Reflections on the rewards of studying abroad

OHTSUK A Eiko
Fellow
Professor Emeritus,
Hokkaido University

In 1954, when I entered Hokkaido University, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences was established within the
School of Medicine, and the maximum number of students admitted to science courses increased by 40. At that time,
female students comprised only 3% of the entire student body. When I transferred to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences in October of my sophomore year, the percentage of female students in this faculty was about 30%. Somestudents were encouraged by their parents to apply to Hokkaido University for pharmaceutical studies. Before this,Hokkaido had no educational institutions offering pharmaceutical education. Students aspiring to become
pharmacists had limited options: attending private universities in Honshu or studying at the prestigious Universityof Tokyo's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, renowned for upholding the legacy of NAGAI Nagayoshi, aprominent organic chemist. What truly surprised me upon entering the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences was thewide range of subjects, with both lectures and laboratory work packed into the curriculum.
In those days, cancer as a genetic disease was gradually becoming the dominant theory. To develop cancer drugs, it
was necessary to investigate its causes, and genetics therefore became the theme of my research. As I progressed
through my academic years, the university established master's and doctoral programs, which I joined, driven by mykeen interest in the field. Fortunately, I secured a position as a post-doctoral fellow at a cutting-edge U.S. researchlab specializing in nucleic acid biosynthesis. Making friends with young researchers from around the world andmaintaining those connections was perhaps the best part of my experience. Forming bonds with fellow students
from Japan was also crucial. The experience of living abroad is invaluable, especially because it opens your eyes to
how much there is to learn about your own country. I believe that this realization in itself encapsulates the true valueof studying abroad.

My encounter with Nitobe College

ISHIKAWA Kenichi
MentorVice President,
3M Japan Limited

About five years ago, I started to feel a desire to share my experiences in society with students and reached out tomy alma mater, Hokkaido University, to see if there was any way I could help. Fortunately, I came across the
exceptional Nitobe College program. Since 2019, I have been serving as a Mentor at Nitobe College. During mystudent years, I pursued science, albeit with some trepidation. Unable to definitively choose my path during myundergraduate studies, I proceeded to graduate school. Subsequently, I opted for a career in the humanities(specifically, marketing), rather than in research or a technical field. This was an uncommon choice at the time, but
I am truly glad that I followed my conviction and took action. I believe many students struggle to choose between
sciences and humanities, but that choice isn't a problem; either option is fine. I want to convey, drawing from my own
experiences, that ultimately all experiences are valuable. There are no wasted experiences. Academic studies, clubs,
circle activities, part-time jobs—all of these enrich your life. I hope you embrace as many opportunities as possiblethat are unique to your time as a student and specifically to Hokkaido University. Among these, Nitobe College
stands out as a premier program for learning skills valuable in society, and I wholeheartedly look forward to
everyone's participation.

Specially Appointed Academic Staff
UCHIDA Haruko (Ph.D.)
Specially appointed associate professor
Educational psychology

Fellows & Mentors
Fellows
ISHIKAWA Megumi
Proprietor of CJ Communication

ISHIKAWA Yuichi

HATANAKA Takami(Master's degree)

President and CEO, Plough Brothers,
Inc.
Director, Johnson Controls, K.K.

Specially appointed lecturer
European studies

ITO Shin

XIAO Lan (Ph.D.)
Specially appointed lecturer
Pedagogy

SCHLUETER Tomoko (Ph.D.)

Associate Director, Neurology
Marketing, Argenx Japan K.K.

INOUE Shuhei

KURODA Taruho
Chief Operating Officer
Newsight Tech Angels

TADA Yukio

SAHEKI Yuriko
Researcher, Shiseido Co., Ltd.

NAKAJIMA Tetsu
Founder & General Partner, 15th
Rock Representative Director,
Spirete, Inc.

UEDA Hideki

Conference Interpreter

OHTSUKA Eiko

LOMAEVA Marina (Master's degree)

SHIMADA Motoo

HAGINO Izumi

WHITFIELD Dale Lee

Specially appointed assistant professor
Environmental science

OFOSU-TWUM Eric
Researcher, Hitachi, Ltd.

Adviser, VISCAS Corporation
Senior Advisor, Sojitz ResearchInstitute

Professor Emeritus, Hokkaido
University

OHTOMO Toshihiko
Head of Oncology Lifecycle
Management Department, Chugai
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

KAYANO Satoru
CEO, Successboard Inc.

SASAKI Ryouko
Board Member, Arcs Co. Ltd.

HINO Mineko
HIROSHIGE KatsuhikoDeputy Director, Tokyo Office,Hokkaido University

FUJITA Nobuyoshi
Director and Senior Adviser, Cerezo
Osaka Co., Ltd.

MIMURA Naoki
Senior Consultant, Logic ResearchCo., Ltd.

MURAYAMA Waka
Section Manager, Engineering
Department, Zukosha Co., Ltd.

MORI Junko
President and Representative
Director, Happy Arrow Co., Ltd.

WADA Yoshiaki
Member, House of Representatives

Vice President, 3M Japan Limited

Chief Growth Officer, Dentsu Cross
Brain Inc.

Specially appointed assistant professor
Religious studies

Specially appointed assistant professor
Pedagogy

SHIBUE Takao
Former Executive Officer of Mitsui
Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.

Mentors
ISHIKAWA Kenichi

Former Executive Officer, Sojitz
Corporation
Former Director, Board Member,
Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd.
Member of the Board and SeniorVice President, Enterprise Business
Division 1, Nippon Information andCommunication Corporation(Master's degree)

SHISAI Satoko

Executive Vice President, Head of
Digital Transformation Unit, Chugai
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

NAKAHARA Taku
Co-founder & CEO, Metagen
Therapeutics, Inc.

HAGINO Izumi
Chief Growth Officer, Dentsu Cross
Brain Inc.

FUJII Kodai
Vice President of Sales andMarketing Operations
Sanmaruko Foods Co., Ltd.

MAEDA Miku
Staff: Global Education, Nitori
Holdings, Co., Ltd.

RAVANKAR Abhijeet
Associate Professor, Kitami Instituteof Technology

Abbreviations: K.K.: a joint-stock company

6

Messages from Faculty Members
Undergraduate Education Course

Graduate Education Course

Messages from Fellow Seminar Supporting Faculty Members in Academic Year 2022

Messages from Faculty Members in Academic Year 2022

KAMENO Jun

SHIGETOMI-KURIBAYASHI
KaoriProfessor, Research Division for Higher Education, Institute for the
Advancement of Higher Education

Associate Professor, Advancement of Educational
Program Division, Institute for the Advancement ofGraduate Education

Fellow Seminar presents a significant challenge for undergraduates
as it compels them to apply their innovative ideas and knowledge toaddress challenges lacking clear-cut answers and then requires them to integrate theirindividual thoughts into a group consensus. During this process, it is important to fully
grasp the significance of knowledge and experience, the joy of group collaboration, thediversity of opinions, and the areas where you can grow. During this process, you should
experience firsthand the importance of knowledge and experience, the joy of creating
something in a group, the diversity of opinions, and your own areas for growth. Theseexperiences will undoubtedly prove invaluable in your future educational pursuits andsocietal endeavors.

I would like to look back on the eight years I spent at Nitobe College,
starting from my appointment in April 2016 as a specially appointed
associate professor at Nitobe School up until my resignation from Nitobe
College in March 2023. Nitobe School was a program aimed at master's
and doctoral students. I assumed responsibility for the second classof students in the Foundation Program, which had been launched theprevious academic year. I was also involved in establishing an advanced
program beginning in 2017 for doctoral program students. After Nitobe
School merged with Nitobe College in 2019, I joined the faculty of thegraduate education program of the College. In that role, I worked together
with various faculty members to develop the curriculum. Among thespecially appointed faculty members are familiar names such as TSUJI
Teruyuki, IMAI Shotaro, SAITO Ken, AGATSUMA Tomohiro, Qianran
WANG, Michal MAZUR, Richard STONE, and SHIMADA Kazuhisa,
which might evoke a sense of nostalgia for many of you. Nitobe College
offers numerous opportunities to interact with students with different
specializations and cultural backgrounds. These interactions make eachclass session stimulating and a source of new discoveries for the faculty
members as well. The fulfilling days I spent there passed swiftly.

LA FAY Michelle
Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences

I have been involved in Nitobe College as a supporting faculty
member under four Fellows. In Fellow Seminar, students actively
engage in in-depth discussions and prepare presentations.
Participants are required to address challenges from diverse perspectives and formulate
their own conclusions. Through this process, they gain an array of skills essential for
effective discussion. Fellows and tutors provide extensive support to the students. My
goal is to foster an environment where this support is easily accessible.

At Nitobe College, each class is innovative and engaging, but those thatleft a lasting impression on me were those on creative thinking, criticalthinking, and leadership. The concept of technology has apparently
evolved significantly over the past 200 years. In these classes, students
were tasked with redefining technology and using their definitions todevelop solutions for contemporary societal issues. These sessions were
eye-opening as they made me realize the extent to which I was limitedby my own preconceptions as well as the importance of mimicking,combining, and innovating beyond existing ideas to create something
new.

NOZAWA Shunsuke
Associate Professor, International Education and Research Division,
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education

Fellow Seminar offers students a valuable learning experience,
allowing them to explore specific research subjects while engaging
with the specialized and practical knowledge of the Fellows. I have participated twice
as a supporting faculty member. While my role is to advise students on the refinementof questions and on methodological approaches, I also gain numerous insights andrealizations from my conversations with students, making it an exceptionally rewarding
subject for me as well. I am committed to continuing to contribute to the students'
learning journey.

I applied for a faculty position at Nitobe College because I wanted toassist in nurturing the next generation by sharing my diverse experiencesin research and entrepreneurship in the US and UK. I hope to continue
supporting all of you. When you're back in Sapporo, I would be delighted
if you could reach out to me, either by dropping by the university or
through Facebook Messenger (search for Kaori Kuribayashi-Shigetomi).
In my introductory class, the core message I impart to students is “Be
confident, Be Ambitious, Unleash Your Potential.” To our graduates,
I encourage you to believe in yourselves, engage in teamwork andthoughtful discussions with diverse individuals in global society, create
impactful outcomes, and move forward without fear or hesitation.

YAMAHATA Tomoyuki
Lecturer, International Education and Research Division,
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education

Fellow Seminar, one of the distinguished programs Nitobe College
offers, is an exciting course where Hokkaido University alumni act
as Fellows, teaching classes based on their own experiences. A variety of features are inplace to ensure that students can make substantial gains from the course. The symposiumin the final session, featuring group presentations, is always a highlight brimming withexcitement. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share enriching and enjoyable
moments with all of you.

Lastly, from October 2023 I will become part of the faculty of theAdvancement of Educational Program Division in the Institute for the
Advancement of Graduate Education at Hokkaido University, and thus
will continue to be a part of Hokkaido University. I hope to remain
connected with all of you through the exceptional network that Nitobe
College has established.

To Nitobe College Alumni

Please register as a member with the Hokkaido
University Nitobe College Alumni Network (HU-NCAN).
To register, please visit the Nitobe College website or scan the
QR code here.
● The Hokkaido University Nitobe College Alumni Network (HUNCAN) carefully manages the personal information obtained
through your membership registration in line with the Act on
the Protection of Personal Information and never provides it to
any third party without your prior consent.

Website and Facebook Account Addresses●

Website: Nitobe College
https://nitobe-college.academic.hokudai.ac.jp/●

https://ws.formzu.net/fgen/S23755582/●

Facebook account:
Hokkaido University Nitobe College Alumni Network

https://www.facebook.com/groups/



hokudai.nitobe.alumni.network/

Hokkaido University Nitobe College Alumni Network (HU-NCAN)

Hokkaido University Nitobe College Oﬃce
Kita 17, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0817, Japan Tel.: 011-706-5414 E-mail: ncan@academic.hokudai.ac.jp

Published on December 1, 2023