University Brochure [PDF]

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT THE SPIRIT OF DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
Doshisha University was founded in 1875 by Joseph Hardy Neesima. He defied an overseas
travel ban during the last turbulent days of the Tokugawa shogunate in order to come to
the United States, where he studied for ten years at several institutions, including Philips
Academy and Amherst College.
Neesima was so impressed by the effects of science and Christianity on American society that
he became convinced of the necessity of establishing an institution of higher learning in his
homeland based on an awareness of Christian principles. Accordingly, he returned to Japan
in 1874, which had just started on the path to a modern state, and established Doshisha
Eigakko in Kyoto in 1875.
That was the start of Doshisha University. Since then, we have been upholding the three
fundamental educational ideals of Christian principles, liberalism, and internationalism for
more than 130 years. Neesima’s thinking about education is encapsulated in the simple words
engraved on the memorial monument at the main gate of Imadegawa campus, which reads: “I
earnestly desire that many young people filled with conscience will be raised and sent out by
our school.”
As our history shows, “international exchanges” and “internationalization” have always been
two of our most important pursuits. Our aim is to realize “internationalism” in a way that
meets the demands of modern society and to make our university an international education
and research hub. In line with this, the Global MBA Course was established in September
2009, followed by the International Science and Technology Course in September 2010. Most
recently, the Faculty of Global Communications and the Institute for International Education
opened their doors to students from April 2011.
In order to provide quality education and stimulate the flow of students and researchers
both to and from the rest of the world, Doshisha University is committed to fulfilling
the responsibilities and mission that we have already undertaken, and to taking further
international initiatives in the future.
Eiji Hatta, Ph.D.
President
Doshisha University
Education
of
Conscience
Christian Principles
Liberalism
Internationalism
The Spirit of
Doshisha University
For the past 130 years, Doshisha University has been
committed to the idea of “education of conscience,” or
nurturing “those who use their abilities as conscience
dictates.” University founder Joseph Hardy Neesima’s
educational philosophy is encapsulated in the words
engraved on the memorial monument at the main
gate of Imadegawa and Kyotanabe campuses, which
read, “I earnestly desire that many young people filled
with conscience will be raised and sent out by our
school.” Doshisha has indeed sent many promising
graduates out into the world since its Neesima’s
time. The spiritual pillars of our educational
activities: “Christian principles,” “liberalism,” and
“internationalism” reflect this background.
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THE SPIRIT OF DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY