Sophia Going Global Gains at Domestic and International Conferences and Leading Overseas Universities

At many private universities, the science and technology faculty is located on a separate campus, away from other faculties. In the case of Sophia University, nine faculties, including the Faculty of Science and Technology, are concentrated at the Yotsuya campus. The mobility specific to this small university is fully evident in the global education offered by the Faculty of Science and Technology.

“Being on the same campus facilitates collaboration and information sharing between faculty members, and allows the development of curricula that integrate the humanities and sciences,” says Dean Tsukiji. “Students of the Faculty of Science and Technology can take various courses offered by other faculties, the Center for Global Discovery and the Center for Language Education and Research. They can also easily participate in international seminars and forums open to all students, regardless of major.”

Meeting Social Needs through Collaboration and Research with Global Companies

Sophia University has been engaging in industry-academic collaboration by working together with various businesses. Last November, the university signed an agreement with global car manufacturer the Volvo Group for an educational partnership. As of the autumn 2015 semester, the Volvo Group started providing short-term internships to Sophia students at its offices in Japan.

From the upcoming spring semester, a three-month internship program, conducted in English, will be launched at the Volvo Group research facilities and plants in Sweden, the United States and France as a course of General Studies. The Volvo Group has partnered with 10 “talent partner” universities in six countries, but Sophia University is the first university the Group has partnered with in Japan, testifying to the reputation of Sophia University's global education.

In the area of research, Sophia is working on the development of new technologies that can meet social needs through research funded by various companies, including Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corp. （Professor Masahiro Rikukawa, Department of Materials and Life Sciences）.

“With the keyword of `global-scale environment and human resources,'” enthuses Dean Tsukiji, “we will promote research and development to educate researchers and engineers that are competent in the international community,” thereby hinting at the tremendous expectation for the development of Sophia University science majors with a global perspective.

＞＞＞For more information on Sophia University's Faculty of Science and Technology, click here.