Message from the President
Shaping leaders who walk “With Others”
Guided by deep humanity and actively engaged with social challenges
Miki Sugimura, President of Sophia University
What comes to mind when you think of Sophia University?
I would be most delighted if you imagined an international environment, highquality language education, or a transdisciplinary campus.
These are indeed defining features of our university, rooted in a humanistic education inspired by Christian humanism—one that fosters a commitment to serving others and society.
This spirit is embodied in our educational philosophy: “For Others, With Others.” At Sophia University, “Others” extends beyond those close to us—it includes all people on our planet, from the socially vulnerable to those facing crises and hardships.
The global community is striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the principle of “leaving no one behind.”
For over a century, Sophia University has nurtured graduates with a strong sense of humanity – individuals who see social issues as their own and work to bridge differences in nationality, culture, and religion through dialogue, trust, and collaboration.
Profile
Born in 1962 . After serving as Professor in the Department of Education, Faculty of Human Sciences at Sophia University in 2013 , Vice President for Academic Exchange in 2014 , and Vice President for Global Academic Affairs in 2017 , appointed as President of Sophia University in 2025 .
Currently serving as UNESCO Chairholder at Sophia University since 2024 .
Specializes in comparative education, international education, and multicultural education.
To strengthen this tradition, our students and faculty work together to foster an inclusive campus—one that harmonizes diversity, inclusivity, and equity, which are seemingly contradictory elements but essential to upholding the dignity of every individual.
If we shift our focus to contemporary society, where you will become future leaders, it is marked by unprecedented complexity and uncertainty. Many of today’s challenges have no pre-existing solutions, and knowledge from a single discipline or a four-year university education alone is no longer sufficient.
What is crucial is the ability to embrace change and continue learning. At Sophia University, we encourage students to discover their field of interest, ask critical questions, and seek solutions through Liberal Education and Learning.
By designing their own learning journey, our students pursue self-motivated learning and build the foundation for lifelong learning. Additionally, all undergraduate students study on the same campus, allowing them to flexibly take courses across different departments.
This transdisciplinary learning environment, which bridges the humanities and sciences, will be an invaluable asset in navigating an increasingly complex society. Another defining feature of Sophia University is its dynamic research collaborations with international organizations and private businesses.
By witnessing firsthand how academic research shapes and influences society, students gain insight into realworld knowledge processing — a powerful tool that will inspire them to carve out their own futures.
At Sophia University, we aspire to cultivate leaders who work alongside others to shape the future. Leadership is not just about standing in the forefront and taking charge. Leaders of the next generation should be people who can bring out the ideas and strengths of those around them, embrace change, and adapt to new challenges.
We look forward to welcoming ambitious students who are eager to take on new challenges and thrive through their studies at Sophia University.