Chapter4 A New Departure

“We have entered what might be thought of as the university’s second “pioneer age” .
“Whenever I can, I try to visit the Soka University and Soka Women’s College campuses and meet with the students, each of whom I consider my precious treasure.” (Soka University’s Second Pioneer Age, In Zuihitsu Shin Ningen Kakumei (Essay – New Human Revolution))” 
 
“Student-centered ──I would like to emphasize that Soka University must further deepen this policy”
“True educators respect and cherish each and every student based on the belief that ‘they will grow to become more capable than the educators themselves’ ”
(From the acknowledgement speech by Daisaku Ikeda at the Linus Pauling Legacy Award Ceremony commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of Doctor Linus Carl Pauling, November 2001)

 
New initiatives to promote student participation
In response to the University Founder Ikeda’s call that we have entered the “second pioneer age,” student-led initiatives were undertaken for the University, the juniors, and the local community.
 
2001
Student-led celebration of the 30th anniversary of Soka University

• A music festival to commemorate the 30th anniversary was organized mainly by the students
• Publication of “History of Soka University, 1971-2000” by the Soka University Student Compilation Committee

 
2004
Launch of the “Soka Book Wave” jointly promoted by the library and students
A voluntary crime prevention patrol was started by the students
 
2005
Completion of the men’s dormitory song “Seishun no Shiro” and women’s dormitory song “Kibou no Hikari”
 
2006
Career Support Staff (CSS)
Recruitment Support Staff (RSS)
Fourth year students who had already accepted a job offer voluntarily started to support the job hunting activities of their juniors
 

Photos

• Ikeda encouraging students studying in the library (January 2004). During this period, Ikeda mentioned that Soka University was in the second pioneer age. He called for building a student-centered university based on the founding principles and took every opportunity to encourage the students.
• Special Culture Course “Goethe, the Man” by Ikeda (March 2003, Central Tower)
• Ikeda, sitting in with the students in the middle of the classroom to participate in class (January 2004, Central Tower)

Exhibits

• “History of Soka University, 1971-2000” compiled and published in 2001 by the Soka University Student Compilation Committee of the Student Union
• Certificate of merit awarded by the Japan Association of Private University Libraries to the Soka Book Wave initiative

“When asked ‘what would you have put more effort into, during your time as a student?’ in a questionnaire to graduates, an overwhelming majority answered ‘English and language skills’” (Soka Daigaku Goju-nen no Rekishi (50 years of Soka University))
 
Launch of the International Program in the Faculty of Economics
The International Program, which teaches economics using English as the medium of instruction, achieved remarkable results by integrating academic English education and economics.
 
Educational programs taught using English or other foreign languages as the medium of instruction are increasing throughout the University
Following the successful example of the Faculty of Economics, programs to teach specialized subjects through English or other foreign languages were launched one after another in other faculties as well.
 
2001　
International Program (IP) of the Faculty of Economics
2004　
Global Program (GP) of the Faculty of Business Administration
2007　
Double Degree courses (DD)* in the Faculty of Letters
Japan Asia Studies Program
2014
Peace & Human Rights (PHR) Program, Double Degree Program (DD), Global Lawyers Program (GLP) of the Faculty of Law
International Technical Cooperation Educational Program (EP) of the Faculty of Science　and Engineering
2015　 
Soka University Courses for Comprehensive Economic Education (SUCEED) of the Faculty of Economics
2018　
Launch of English Medium Programs in all faculties excluding the Faculty of Nursing
*It was initially called the “dual degree course”

Global Citizenship Program (GCP)
Launched in April 2010, the Global Citizenship Program is a cross-faculty program aiming to foster global citizens equipped with advanced  abilities 

Photo

• Students of the Global Citizenship Program (GCP) participated in the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates (November 2010)

Exhibit

• “Sekai Kijun no Jugyo wo Tsukure – Kiseki wo Unda Soka Daigaku Keizaigakubu IP (Build a program of world standard – Faculty of Economics IP, Soka University made a miracle come true)” (2012. Jiji Press Ltd.) is a book depicting the reform of the Faculty of Economics through the introduction of the International Program for learning economics through the medium of  English

Law School
Since the New Bar Examination was started, the combined total of students of Soka University Law School who took either or both the first and the second exam was 53, out of which 28 have passed. With a pass percentage of 52.8%, the Law School ranked third among all private universities.

The three principles of the Law School (tentative translations) 
Unimpassioned headed intellect to rectify the evil
Warm and loving spirit of benevolence 
Resilient soul in pursuit of victory  
 
Graduate School for Teacher Education
Only 4 private universities (and 19 universities altogether) in Japan opened a graduate school for teacher education as of the beginning of academic year 2008, when the system was first introduced.
 
The three guidelines of the Graduate School for Teacher Education
Be an educator of benevolence who aspires for the well-being of children.
Be an educator of justice who protects the dignity of life at all costs.
Be an educator of wisdom who creates a world of harmony.

Photos

• Self-study room of the Law School
• A Class at the Graduate School for Teacher Education

“Soka University will become ‘A university that fosters creative individuals based on its founding principles’”
“Soka University declares that the power that each individual student possesses is Individual Potential”
“The education at Soka University must enhance studentsʼ Intellectual Capability and Strength of
Character, to discover and fulfill their Individual Potentials”
(“Image of Soka University on the 50th anniversary of its founding and Soka University Grand Design”)

Defining the educational goals
The Grand Design clearly states that the educational goal of Soka University is to foster creative individuals.
 
Branding
A brand logo statement has been established as a symbol toward the 50th anniversary.

Photo

• Eternal Monument to Soka Education