Hokkaido University is a leading comprehensive university that places importance on its graduate schools. The university started out in 1876 as the Sapporo Agricultural College, the first modern academic institute in Japan. During its long history, the college was promoted to an Imperial University and then flourished after the creation of the new university system. Over this period, we have declared and cultivated our basic philosophies of education and research, namely the “Frontier Spirit,” “Global Perspectives,” “All-round Education” and “Practical Learning.” In order to meet the demands of society and to move ahead as a part of the National University Corporation, Hokkaido University needs to formulate a long term goal for developing the basis of knowledge generation, dissemination and application in the new century, while still reconfirming our basic philosophies and recognizing our accountability to society.
The phenomena and changes associated with humans, society and nature occur against backdrops involving a myriad of diverse conditions. The complexity of these advances cannot be simply “unlocked,” particularly when they are closely interconnected. It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to study or solve such problems in the context of conventional learning, because circumstances can change quickly and drastically. Coping with this reality requires an inquisitive mind willing to investigate, understand and unravel the underlying nature and causes of changes and occurrences. In short, individuals need both the ability to think and act autonomously.
“To think” is to question the existing values and methods, and to change or even destroy them if necessary. To truly think, in other words, one cannot be bound by convention. Universities are special because they are places where one can freely engage in the act of thinking. In the over 140 years since the 1876 founding of its predecessor, the Sapporo Agricultural College, Hokkaido University has helped students awaken their autonomy and independence. This is achieved by encouraging them to venture into unexplored areas of learning; to develop an international mindset and flexible approach to diversity; to cultivate themselves in a broad range of areas that will help build character; and to pursue meaningful research so they can grasp the essence of things and use their learning for practical purposes. Following in the spirit of its founding, Hokkaido University strives to be a place where all students can find and foster their innate potential and grasp what their true talents are, so they can develop the ability to think and foster an independent spirit to take on the challenges of the future.
Education at Hokkaido University is guided by four basic philosophies: “Frontier Spirit,” “Global Perspectives,” “All-round Education” and “Practical Learning.” These four guiding principles have been cultivated over the course of the institution’s long history, which dates back to 1876 – the year its predecessor, Sapporo Agricultural College, was established. Against this backdrop, the university aims to play a steady role as a global center for education and research. We aim to establish a university open to anyone worldwide, a world-class educational system, and strive to continue expanding the depths of our knowledge and its application/utilization. Finally, we work towards strengthening our university’s operations.
We develop curricula of international quality, so that students may be given a distinguished all-round education and acquire global perspectives. This is so that we may nurture students who are open-minded, of high intellect, and who possess a wide knowledge base. Graduate courses are designed with the aim of producing highly skilled individuals who can a play central role in their respective field and will contribute to society with their expertise and ethical views. For undergraduate courses, there is more of an emphasis on improving the liberal arts education they receive so that they may become talented as global citizens.
We focus on developing world-class research programs so that we may push the boundaries of our knowledge and contribute to the sustainable development of mankind and society while each student and staff member of the university retains academic freedom and independence to carry out their research. Our goals are based on the two concepts of practical leaning and the Frontier Spirit. We base our goals on these concepts to return the fruits of research to society and let each student and staff member tackle contemporary issues while laying out the path for the future.
As a national university, we will positively promote partnerships between universities and industry based on our world-class, leading-edge, and trans-disciplinary research and education. We will serve as a bridge to the world for local communities and industrial agencies.
We will establish the structure necessary to address domestic and overseas challenges promptly and appropriately. We will also promote autonomous top management in order to fulfill our educational, research and social goals.
It takes tremendous courage – in addition to an independent mind and autonomous spirit – to venture into an untrodden field. “Boys, be ambitious,” exhorted William S. Clark, the first vice principal of Sapporo Agricultural College, when he departed Sapporo after a short, 8-month stay. In keeping with the Frontier Spirit espoused by Dr. Clark, I would like to make Hokkaido University an educational hub where students and faculty work together to intensely learn and create new wisdom – with the ultimate goal of solving the world’s problems and contributing to the happiness of mankind through a spirit of independence and autonomy.
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Hokudai definitely is a nice place to study, the campus is really beautiful and sensible to the seasons, and the atmosphere is ever changing depending on the place you are in the campus.
I really enjoyed my time as an exchange student here..
By Raphaël Ollando (Jun, 2018) |
It is a wonderful university.
Looking from the sky, it seems that the schoolhouse is built in the "North" of kanji.
I had you stay in a dormitory of a graduate student here.
I also enjoyed the college festival.
I was surprised at that time when there were virgin forests in the university than anything else.
During the snow Genghis Khan in the snow got hard and hardened except for the place where it was hit by fire, so I ate it with shochu that I could not eat it because it was tasteless.
I miss the menu I ate at places around the university such as Ume Jean, Chang Da, 3 km curry and so on.
By Ten Ten (Jan, 2018) |
A very pleasant place to walk around and learn the atmosphere of Japan universities. Got a few nice spots to take photos too but make sure you don’t disturb the students here, as the campus is sooooo quiet! Meanwhile do more for self driving tourists the guard will not welcome you so you’d better park somewhere nearby then walk over to pay a visit. Still it’s a place worth visiting if you visit Sapporo.
By Alex Chen (Jan, 2018) |
Hokkaido's campus has been seen online almost all the most beautiful Japanese universities, may I go to the time is not very right reason, that feeling is not particularly strong. But the campus itself is really big for many Japanese universities!
By Bo Bo (Jan, 2018) |
It was very large and I did not know where to enter from
Telling you that you want to see a row of poplars in the parking lot
I taught a nearby parking lot.
Spacious and comfortable space with an atmosphere like a foreign country.
I envy a student who can learn in such an environment ♪
By Plain ted (Dec, 2017) |
A very beautiful campus and a great place to go for a walk. Lots of signs with historical facts in Japanese and English.
By Anthony Cross (Nov, 2017) |
One of the Most Beautiful University I have ever been to in my life
By Chen Cao (Nov, 2017) |
Although it was also out of the season of autumn leaves
I was able to walk around the university premises slowly because it is wide.
I am really happy to learn on such a vast campus ♡
I want to visit again in different seasons.
By etsuko kojima (Nov, 2017) |
Autumn is in every corner of the campus..scenery is beautiful with the famous ginkgo tree-lined to capture
By Jenny Gubud (Oct, 2017) |
Twitter
The education at this University in Hokkaido is truly top-notch; the dedicated staff not only inspire excellence but also celebrate each student’s unique journey towards success.
By Daniel Smith (Jul, 2024) |