The world today faces a multitude of challenges and environmental issues. These include emerging infectious diseases, climate change, the food and energy crisis, and international conflicts. For Japan, the decline in the vitality of communities caused by a falling population and the resulting regional environmental problems have become urgent social issues of grave concern. Society is thus changing at tremendous speed. Overcoming this host of challenges and ushering in a new, happier, more prosperous society will require that local communities and universities engage in co-creation with the goal of building a better society. Never have universities faced greater expectations as centers of knowledge.
At this critical juncture, Mie University has made clear its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by formulating and unveiling the Mie University Environment and SDGs Policy in conjunction with stakeholders in the surrounding region and worldwide. Our unique educational and research programs, which involve learning from local communities, can claim to be world-class. As an advanced environmental university, we are taking steps to build a society in harmony with the global environment. Our mission is summed up in the words “From Mie to the world, from the world to Mie.” Our educational programs nurture the ability to act by fostering connections with local communities, society at large, and the world. We train environmental leaders equipped with the skills to take action to achieve carbon neutrality. We run an on-demand program on environmental issues called the Scientific, Local and Environmental “Talented Staff” Development Program (SciLets). The University has ISO 14001 certification and practices the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). We also implement energy-saving measures on campus, carry out environmental activities in partnership with local governments, schools, and industry, and actively promote environmental education.
The SciLets program is designed to revitalize communities by tapping the considerable reserves of environmental value to be found locally. Many environmental officers working for businesses and local governments, as well as members of the general public and Mie University students, have taken the program and been certified as analysts or experts. By offering classes on local environmental science, organizing joint research on the environment and environmental technology, and arranging interdisciplinary and inter-industry exchanges, SciLets aims to develop outstanding environmental leaders capable of making a difference in the community. Going forward, we will deploy the program globally alongside our partner institutions overseas, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Thailand’s Chiang Mai University, by producing English-language educational videos.
Mie University promotes gender equality based on the Mie University Declaration for Gender Equality adopted in 2008. In December 2022, we declared our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion as a university dedicated to co-creation with local communities. The concepts of diversity and inclusion are in many regards closely linked to the environment and the SDGs. I am therefore optimistic that furthering education and research on the environment and the SDGs will foster the progress of these ideals as well.
As the Covid pandemic comes to an end, I am convinced that the need for bold, innovative thinking and new initiatives in the environmental field is now greater than ever. Mie University aims to evolve into a future-oriented campus that harnesses cutting-edge scientific technology while preserving the natural environment in all its glory. In pursuit of this goal, we are ready to boldly rise to the challenge of reinventing ourselves as an institution of higher learning in the post-Covid era.