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Message from the Chancellor / Profile

On April 1, 2022, National University Corporation Hokkaido Higher Education and Research System was established.
Otaru University of Commerce, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and Kitami Institute of Technology have all developed distinctive education and research in the fields of commerce, agriculture and animal husbandry, and engineering across the regions of Otaru/Shiribeshi, Obihiro/Tokachi, and Kitami/Okhotsk. This is the first time that the management of three national university corporations have been integrated in Japan.

A university can only move forward when its academic division, responsible for education and research, and its management division, responsible for institutional administration, function together as two wheels of the same vehicle. Hokkaido Higher Education and Research System aims to establish a “hub of practical knowledge” by leading collaboration in education and research among the three national universities, while also contributing to the economic and industrial development of Hokkaido, the prosperity of the international community, and the realization of a sustainable society through collaboration among industry, academia, government, and the finance sector.
To achieve this goal, we will advance reforms centered on strengthening our financial foundation through management efforts, including securing independent funding, creating interdisciplinary and integrated education and research projects through collaboration among the three universities, enhancing education and research through the use of IT and AI, and improving operational efficiency and work style reform through the promotion of DX (Digital Transformation).

Akira Haseyama

In recent years, global challenges such as climate change, large-scale disasters, food insecurity, inequality, and conflict have become increasingly apparent. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19 has triggered significant changes throughout society.
Although hybrid models of education and institutional management combining face-to-face and online approaches were initially adopted out of necessity, they hold the potential to foster broader inter-university collaboration beyond geographic constraints, generate innovation in education and research, and enable people to design richer and more fulfilling lives through work style reform.
By advancing new forms of education and research that integrate digital and analog approaches, we can cultivate individuals equipped with resilient critical thinking skills to discern the essence of issues amid an overflow of information, as well as the creativity to respond to unforeseen circumstances. Through cutting-edge research addressing global challenges such as food, energy, disaster prevention, and economic inequality, we aim to contribute to the creation of social innovation.

Although we face challenges such as the declining population of 18-year-olds and changes in the industrial structure, Hokkaido possesses remarkable strengths: a food self-sufficiency rate of approximately 200%, Japan’s highest potential for the introduction of renewable energy, including wind and solar power, abundant agricultural, forestry, fisheries, and tourism resources, and a top ranking in national prefectural attractiveness surveys. These advantages make Hokkaido an ideal region for a “hub of knowledge”, where students can enjoy a fulfilling university life and researchers from around the world are drawn together. Through close collaboration between the universities and the local community, a bright future can be created.
The challenge of the Hokkaido Higher Education and Research System advancing together with the region and growing in partnership with the community has only just begun.

We sincerely appreciate your guidance and support.

Chancellor, National University Corporation, Hokkaido Higher Education and Research System
Akira Haseyama

Biography

HASEYAMA Akira
Born in Akita City in 1952 and raised in Sendai City
1975: Graduated from the Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Keio University
1979: Graduated from the Department of History, Faculty of Letters, Keio University
1981: Completed the Master’s Program in History, Graduate School of Letters, Keio University
1984: Completed the Doctoral Program in History, Graduate School of Letters, Keio University (completed coursework without obtaining a doctoral degree)
1987: Appointed Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Surugadai University; later promoted to Associate Professor, 1994: Promoted to Professor, Faculty of Law, Surugadai University
1997: Appointed Professor, Faculty of Letters, Keio University Subsequently served as Director of the Student Affairs Center, Dean of Students, and Director of the Shido Bunko (Institute of Oriental Classics), Keio University
2007: Appointed Dean, Faculty of Letters, Keio University, 2009: Appointed Executive Director, Keio University
2017 to 2021: President, Keio University
2022 to present: Chancellor, Hokkaido Higher Education and Research System.
In addition, he has consecutively served as President of the Japan Association of Private Universities and Colleges and Chairman of the Federation of Private University
Associations of Japan.
He currently serves as President of the All Japan University Baseball Federation and as a Director of the Jinbun-Chi Support Forum, among other positions.
His expertise is Legal History and Ancient Japanese History. He holds a Doctor of Law degree.

Mission and Vision of the System

To continuously meet societal needs by fully leveraging our educational, research, and social contributions, we have established a mission that the System is committed to fulfilling.
At the same time, based on our mission, we formulate our vision, goals, and strategies, establish a management system that is independent, autonomous, and strategic, and operate the System as a corporate entity to achieve them.

Mission and Vision of the System