Message on the Center’s establishment

The Hyogo University Higher Education Research Center (Center) opened on April 1, 2016, thanks to the support of the Chair, the President, and numerous other related parties. I would like to summarize its objectives below.
(1) Deepening fundamental theoretical research on topics including the mission, role, function, and structure of the university, with a focus mainly on research sections, to make clear the future vision for and possibilities of the university.
(2) As an institutional research (IR) organ of the University, striving to improve education and research (in areas such as FD, SD, education, and evaluation) throughout the University, with a focus mainly on development sections, with the aim of diagnosing and prescribing solutions for current conditions in various types of applied and development research.
(3) Inviting outstanding researchers and practitioners in various fields including the fundamentals, applications, and development of higher education, from across Japan and around the world, and holding various research conferences, seminars, and meetings to deepen research and practice with consideration for the goals under (1) and (2) above.
(4) Announcing the results of various types of research and practice, through means including scientific associations in Japan and around the world, and communicating such results both inside and outside the University through proceedings, publications, the website, and other means.
In addition, while the Director of the Center serves as the Chair of the National Council on Research on Higher Education, the Center will be home to the Council’s secretariat as well. Incidentally, today, at a time when higher education has become universal, it is well known that expectations for universities are rising and their relative importance in society is growing. Even so, it is a fact that many universities, particularly small and medium-sized private universities in rural areas, face challenges such as enrollment beneath minimum necessary levels, and they need to find ways to innovate in order to survive. I believe that, although this may seem paradoxical, it is precisely under such conditions that the question is asked of just what exactly is a university. Put another way, the question is being asked of whether the university can fulfill the lofty mission built up through 900 years of history of fulfilling the three objectives of research, education, and social services.
If the Center sees itself as an IR organ thinking comprehensively about the past, present, and future of the university, then this mission will conform to the mission of the Center itself. In light of this fact, it is essential that we have a keen appreciation of the responsibility that we must pursue. Although the Center’s efforts, having just opened recently, may seem meager when compared to the weight of this responsibility, all of us in the Center are ready to do what we can, understanding our role as one of standing on the shoulders of giants. We would appreciate the support of those both on and off campus.

Director, Research Institute for Higher Education
Akira Arimoto