Nihon University President Takeo Sakai

Realizing students' dreams and hopes: what is needed from now on is "comprehensive knowledge"

President of Nihon University　Takeo Sakai(Sakai Takeo)

■ Profile
He graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (now Faculty of Bioresource Sciences), our university in 1966. After working at the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Research Institute, he became a full-time lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in 1981. He became an associate professor in 1983 and a professor in 1993. He became deputy dean and a council member in 1999. He became dean in 2005, and also served as a trustee, dean of the Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences, and dean of the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine. He became vice president (acting president) in 2007, and became the 12th president in 2008. He became the 15th president in 2022. He has previously served as chairman of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' Veterinary Affairs Council and chairman of the Cabinet Office's Food Safety Commission.

■What kind of student life did you have?

My student days were in the midst of Japan's period of rapid economic growth. I studied hard amidst discussions about how Japan should develop in the future. At the university at that time, there was an atmosphere of students and faculty working together to change society, and the relationship between students and teachers was very close, so every day I learned things I didn't know by asking teachers directly. The university also valued student autonomy, so I was always able to approach things with curiosity, observe how society works, and hone my own sensibilities.

■Please tell us about the role and initiatives of the president.(I.e.

I believe that a university is a place of learning where students can realize their dreams and hopes, and my role is to support them in this endeavor. We prioritize education and provide high-quality education so that students can experience a wide variety of things. There are two initiatives to achieve this. The first is providing customized support. Since each student's environment and background is different, we strive to fully understand each student's qualities, goals, and dreams and ensure that they can have a satisfying university life. The second is the Nihon University Renaissance Plan. In order to take on the challenge of improving and reforming education, we view students and faculties as "individuals" and the university as "whole," and we support them by clarifying the connection between these two.

■Please give us a message for university students

Students of the future will be required to think outside the box, absorb a wide range of knowledge, and have the ability to grasp things from a bird's-eye view. To achieve this, the role of universities will also need to change, and you too will need to acquire "comprehensive knowledge." Today, it is necessary to understand international issues such as climate change, environmental pollution, and regional conflicts, as well as diverse ways of thinking. I believe that "comprehensive knowledge" will enable you to overcome various challenges and provide you with opportunities to play an active role in society.
I also believe that student years are a time to set goals and ambitions that you want to achieve, and to acquire the skills to carry them out.
If you pursue your intellectual curiosity, you will naturally come to understand the mechanisms and trends of society, and your sensibilities will also be refined. First of all, I would like you to set goals and aspirations.

Student Newspaper April 1, 2023 Issue, Nihon University 4rd Year Student, Maho Wada