Happy New Year! I send my best wishes to all of you who are celebrating the start of a wonderful year.
This year Sophia University marks the 100th Anniversary of its founding. St. Francis Xavier, as we all know, was a moving spirit behind a proposal to build a university in Japan. Three priests from the Society of Jesus were entrusted to establish a university in Japan as Xavier would have wished, and their persistence and successful effort had finally shaped a sound educational foundation upon which Sophia University would rest today.
Sophia University was already characterized by internationality from its beginning a century ago. In recent years, it has become a pressing issue in higher education to foster students as global citizens. But I am proud to say that a stream of many talented youth has continued to emerge from our university to play a significant role in the international society.
The educational principle of Sophia University is “Men and Women for Others, with Others.” Even if our students are well learned, highly skilled individuals, I don’t think they will be able to put their knowledge into practical use unless they are warm and righteous human beings. I hope our students will learn to make the spirit of giving an integral part of their lives and give freely of themselves to be of service to others in their own special ways.
As we stand at the dawn of our yearlong centennial celebration, Sophia University is entering a new stage of progress. The year 2013 will be marked by various commemorative events and projects here at home and abroad. I’ll promise to keep you updated of our latest developments. I would like to thank you for being our valued partners in this important period leading up to the 100th Anniversary.
I wish you good health and happiness with the knowledge that brighter days are ahead for all of us in 2013.
Tadashi Takizawa
President of Sophia University
