I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year, and share my slogan for 2019: "Stopping the boar's charge".
The Chinese zodiac marks 2019 as the Year of the Boar. In Japan, this animal is generally associated with fierce, unstoppable forward charges. This year, however, I want our university not to rush forward like a wild boar, but rather to resist this urge.
Last year saw a significant acceleration of reform efforts among Japanese universities, a trend that I expect will continue and intensify through 2019. I believe, however, that here at Kyoto we should not simply join this trend and rush ahead. We must instead pace ourselves as we work on steadily reforming our institution, with an eye to the future and keeping sight of our mission to develop quality human capital — individuals who can stand on their own in these turbulent times, and who can support our collective future. This will require a solid, long-term plan, one that may only be implemented through the concerted effort of our entire faculty and staff.
Last year, Tasuku Honjo, distinguished professor at our Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS), received the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. This had a significant positive impact on his field of research, both in terms of funding and international recognition. I believe that, in addition to Dr Honjo's own efforts, this outcome can be attributed to years of perseverance on the part of our faculty and staff.
Finally, with less than two years remaining before my term expires, I am also committed to the goal of ensuring that Kyoto University, our precious joint asset, will be passed on to the next generation in good form.
I appreciate your continued support for our endeavors throughout 2019.
Juichi Yamagiwa
President, Kyoto University
7 January 2019
