Kyoto Notre Dame University

Kyoto Notre Dame University is a private university in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded as a four-year women’s college in 1961 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a global Catholic congregation devoted to transforming the lives of women through education. The university now includes graduate programs for both men and women. Recognized for the excellent quality of its graduates, the university provides strong values-oriented education that emphasizes the spiritual and intellectual development of the whole person. This emphasis is reflected in the university motto, Virtus et Scientia (Virtue and Knowledge).

Kyoto Notre Dame University nurtures the development of creative thinking, practical skills, and a spirit of mutual cooperation for active participation in an increasingly global society. In addition to a rigorous curriculum, a wide variety of programs, services, and activities provide opportunities that challenge each student to develop her potential as a unique individual.

Our university has something that gradually becomes a part of your life. That is the founding spirit of our university. In 2008, we have shown the way to growth in easy to understand words, by following Mary, Mother of Christ, from whom our school takes its name. They are the following four ideas; “Respect,” “Dialogue,” “Empathize,” and “Take action.” “Respect” means that we face ourselves, other people, and all things in nature and creation with respect from our true heart. “Dialogue” means that we listen with full hearts, learning through our sincere relationship to the world and exploring the truth. “Empathize” means that with our hearts open, we have true sensitivity to the needs of people and the age. “Take action” means that with communication, strong resolution, and a sense of responsibility, we take action for the sake of the happiness of others and peace in the world. The unified action of these four ideas is what we can acquire throughout our whole life. This is a continuous action, requiring of us a deep spiritual effort. There is no moment when we can say that we have mastered all of them.

From educational facilities equipped with the latest technology to support diverse curricula, to recreational spaces that offer comfortable study and relaxation time, the campus environment stimulates intellectual curiosity and fosters rich sensibilities. The Library houses over 200,000 volumes on a diverse range of subjects. To enhance the educational and research environment, the Library and media facilities were set to relocate Eugenia Hall in 2014.