Soka University

Soka University will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 2, 2021.
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About the Soka University 50th Anniversary Commemorative Project

Soka University was founded in 1971 by Daisaku Ikeda. The founding principles are: “Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education,” “Be the cradle of a new culture,” and “Be a fortress for the peace of humankind.” Also, the university has worked to foster “creative individuals” who can utilize their intelligence to develop solutions to issues facing humankind.
In 2010, which marked the 40th anniversary of the university, the Soka University Grand Design Initiative was formulated, describing the vision of Soka University for its 50th anniversary (in 2021) and strategically setting forth the goals and plans to achieve that vision. As part of the initiative, the university has undertaken reforms including the establishment of both the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of International Liberal Arts, the reorganization of the Faculty of Engineering into the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and the establishment of both the Faculty of Letters in the Distance Learning Division and the Graduate School of International Peace Studies. In addition, the university has enhanced its research capabilities primarily through research centers that focus on industry-academia collaboration and research development, and promoted campus globalization as symbolized by being selected for the Top Global University Project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and improved its campus facilities including the construction of the Hall of Learning, Global Square.
Soka University will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 2, 2021. Its mission continues to be fostering global citizens that will practice value creation to realize the goal of establishing a peaceful society for any generation. Through the 50th anniversary commemorative project, the university will continue to serve in its role as a hub for global citizenship education by disseminating its achievements including educational and research outcomes, while concurrently forming a network with related institutions in Japan and abroad.
We ask for the support and cooperation of the alumni and other concerned parties in supporting Soka University as we take the first step towards Soka University’s next 50 years through events, symposiums, exhibitions, and publications.

April 2019
Yasunori Tashiro, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Soka University
Yoshihisa Baba, President, Soka University

50th Anniversary Commemorative Project

1
Towards the 100th Anniversary
  • 1. Educational Initiatives to Foster Global Citizens
    • Conduct education and research projects under the theme of “Founder’s Global Citizenship Education” at the Daisaku Ikeda Soka Education Research Institute [From April 2020]
    • Organize and hold symposiums regarding global citizenship education hosted by Soka University [November 2021]
    • Establishment of the Global Citizenship Education Award (tentative name) [November 2021] and its selection committee [April 2020]
      • Soka University will honor institutions, organizations, and individuals who contribute to global citizenship education
    • Formulation and implementation of development plans for the Global Citizenship Education Program on campus [April 2020]
    • Education and research based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations
      • Holding a series of events under the theme of “Value Creation × SDGs” [From April 2019]
      • Establishment of the SDGs Promotion Center [April 2019]
  • 2. Accelerate Research on the Founder’s Philosophies and Practices, and on Soka Education
    Reorganization of the Daisaku Ikeda Commemorative Institute for Soka Education Research, and its Initiatives
    • Aim to establish a field to academically discuss the founder’s philosophies and practices
    • Hold the “Ikeda Ideology International Symposium” at Soka University [Fall 2020]
      Commemorating the establishment of the Daisaku Ikeda Commemorative Institute for Soka Education Research
    • Collect records of Soka Education in practice
    • Archive the actions and initiatives of the university founder
  • 3. Promote Collaboration Regarding Soka Education and its Development
    Hold international conferences for researchers of Soka Education as well as schools and educators who practice Soka Education.
2
Marking the History of its 50th Year
    • 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication Project
    • 50th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition
    • 50th Anniversary Commemorative Video Production
3
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
    • Soka University 51st Entrance Ceremony (50th Anniversary Commemorative Event) [April 2021]
    • 50th Anniversary Celebration Event [May 2021]
    • The 51st Soka University Festival, the 37th Swan Festival, 50th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony [October 2021]
    • 50th Anniversary Commemorative Event (at various locations in Japan)

Congratulatory Messages for the 50th Anniversary

We have received congratulatory messages from scholars and overseas partner institutions for Soka University's 50th anniversary celebration.

See here for details.

The poll has finished.
The selected works will be
announced in mid October, 2019.

Past, present, and future of Soka University

History

Past

1971
The University opened with three faculties: Economics, Law and Letters.
1975
The Graduate Schools of Economics, Law and Letters were established.
1976
The Faculties of Business Administration and Education were established.
The Distance Learning Division was established with two faculties: Economics and Law.
The Institute of Japanese Language was established.
1977
Doctoral programs in the Graduate Schools of Economics, Law, and Letters were established.
1982
The Faculty of Education was established within the Distance Learning Division.
1986
The Master’s degree program in Education was established in the Graduate School of Letters.
1988
The Department of Humanities was established in the Faculty of Letters.
1989
The doctoral program in Education was established in the Graduate School of Letters.
1990
The Departments of Japanese Language and Literature and Foreign Languages (Chinese and Russian) were established in the Faculty of Letters.
1991
The Faculty of Engineering (Departments of Information Systems Science and Bioengineering) was established.
Ikeda Auditorium is completed
1992
The Master’s degree program in Humanities was established in the Graduate School of Letters.
1994
The doctoral program in Humanities was established in the Graduate School of Letters.
1995
Master’s degree programs in Information Systems Science and Bioengineering were established in the Graduate School of Engineering.
1997
Doctoral programs in Information Systems Science and Bioengineering were established in the Graduate School of Engineering.
1999
The completion of Central Tower
2004
Soka Law School was established.
2007
The Faculty of Letters was reorganized into one department and seven specializations under the Department of Humanities.
2008
The Graduate School of Teacher Education was established.
2009
The Master’s degree program in International Language Education was established in the Graduate School of Letters.
2010
The start of Soka University Grand Design
2013
The Faculty of Nursing was established.
The completion of Global Square.
2014
The Faculty of International Liberal Arts was established.
Selected for Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) "Top Global university Project"
Earning the highest evaluation possible "S" in February of 2018
2015
The Faculty of Engineering became the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Department of Science and Engineering for Sustainable Innovation opened.
2018
The Master’s degree program in International Peace Studies was established in the Graduate School of International Peace Studies.
The Department of Humanities in the Faculty of Letters was established within the Distance Learning Division.
SOKA Women’s College was reorganized from two departments into one department as the Department of Global Business Studies.

Present

2019

“Soka University and Me”

Introduces the graduates' learning and memories at Soka University and their current situation.

View the list.

Photo Gallery

2021
50th Anniversary

Soka University’s vision for 2030

Towards 100 years of Soka Education (November 18, 2030), Soka University will continue to make contributions in the fields of education, research, and society, by adhering to the goal of “a university that fosters creative global citizens” based on its founding principles.

Theme
A university that fosters creative global citizens

Concepts

1
Take educational initiatives to foster creative global citizens through the enhancement of programs related to fostering global citizens in the fields of peace, the environment, international development, and human rights as well as through the improvement of the educational and research environments to cultivate the skills needed to create a sustainable society.
2
Play a leading role in the achievement of the SDGs through forming a network with universities and researchers and through promoting research that contributes to the realization of peace.
3
Create a campus where people with diverse values including international students and members from various fields of business gather and coexist.

The pillars of these initiatives

ⅠEducation
Establish an education system that fosters global citizens that can support a changing society.
ⅡResearch
Create new values in society by utilizing our strengths to advance specialized and interdisciplinary research as a comprehensive university.
ⅢGlobalization
Based on initiatives taken as part of the Top Global University Project and as a university that is leading globalization, realize our goal of being a campus that supports diverse values.
ⅣContributions to Society/Collaboration
with Stakeholders
Contribute to society’s development by strengthening relations with various institutions in industry, government, and academia to respond to increasingly diversified needs.
ⅤOrganizational Management
Establish a swift and flexible organizational management structure and a stable financial foundation to achieve sustained university development.
Until March 2020
Notice in regard to donations
for the Top Global University Project
See here for details.