Ever since assuming the leadership of the University of Tokyo, I’ve wanted to share my thoughts and activities as president with members of the university, as well as the larger community outside our institution. With my research field being connected to the ocean, I’d always kept a log during my time conducting surveys and being out at sea. Now, having embarked on my journey as UTokyo’s skipper, I would like to share with all of you my record of this latest voyage, through the UTokyo President’s Log.
Teruo Fujii, 31st President of the University of Tokyo
February 2024
UTokyo PLog #2024-E-01
Date & Time: February 27, 2024
Location: Yasuda Auditorium, Hongo Campus
Latitude/Longitude: 35°42'48.3"N / 139°45'44.2"E Open in Google Maps
The University of Tokyo concluded a partnership agreement with Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s southwestern main island of Kyushu.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Governor Ikuo Kabashima of Kumamoto Prefecture and I met and discussed past exchanges between UTokyo and the prefecture, and the future prospects of our new partnership.
UTokyo PLog #2024-UT-04
Date & Time: February 16, 2024
Location: Daiwa Ubiquitous Computing Research Building, Hongo Campus
Latitude/Longitude: 35°42'29.0"N / 139°45'45.7"E Open in Google Maps
We invited and welcomed Ben Nelson, founder and CEO of education company Minerva Project, for a talk event comprising a lecture and a dialogue session with students and myself. Mr. Nelson serves as a member of the UTokyo Global Navigation Board, which had held its meeting on campus a few days prior.
He is also the founder of Minerva University, adopting an innovative approach to higher education. After talking about his own career path to date and the issues he sees in the existing university education system, we moved on to a dialogue session covering practical education and applying learning to experience in the real world, among other topics. The Q&A session with students was lively, making for a very stimulating time.
UTokyo PLog #2024-UT-03
Date & Time: February 13-14, 2024
Location: Ito International Research Center
Latitude/Longitude: 35°42'36.9"N / 139°45'37.3"E Open in Google Maps
We held the first in-person meeting of the UTokyo Global Navigation Board, an advisory council of international experts to the university president, since the board was founded.
Seven board members from Japan and overseas convened for the meeting, along with university executives and related faculty and staff, for intensive discussions on the theme of “Global Fundraising with the 150th anniversary in mind.”
The meeting proved very valuable in providing an opportunity to receive the constructive advice of the board members. We will apply their proposals toward enhancing our university management.
January 2024
UTokyo PLog #2024-UT-02
Date & Time: January 23, 2024
Location: Ito International Research Center
Latitude/Longitude: 35°42'36.9"N / 139°45'37.3"E Open in Google Maps
I met with World Bank President Ajay Banga during his visit to our campus. We discussed the possibility of collaboration between the World Bank and the University of Tokyo, through social entrepreneurship in African and Asian countries, fellowship programs for young personnel and other initiatives.
UTokyo PLog #2024-G-02
Date & Time: January 15-18, 2024
Location: Davos, Switzerland
Latitude/Longitude: 46°48'04.0"N / 9°49'50.7"E Open in Google Maps
I participated in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, again this year. Leaders representing various fields, including from the political, business, industrial, academic, nongovernmental and nonprofit sectors, gathered for presentations, speeches and panel discussions.
In addition to joining various sessions organized by the forum, I also served as moderator of a roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence and higher education at the AI House Davos, a platform in which UTokyo’s Institute for AI and Beyond was participating as one of the initiators. We invited current and former presidents from the world’s top universities who joined as panelists in the discussion.
Also, in what has become an annual tradition, I gathered with alumni attending the Davos conference and spent a meaningful time exchanging opinions on a variety of topics with them.
UTokyo PLog #2024-G-01
Date & Time: January 14-15, 2024
Location: CERN, Switzerland
Latitude/Longitude: 46°13'58.9"N / 6°03'20.4"E Open in Google Maps
I visited CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in the suburbs of Geneva near the Franco-Swiss border. More than half, or approximately 10,000, of the world’s particle physics researchers visit the world-class research center each year to use its facilities.
Members of UTokyo’s International Center for Elementary Particle Physics, who have been participating in joint research at CERN for many years, took me on a tour of the facilities, including the control room and the ATLAS detector, installed about 100 meters underground, and briefed me on their latest research.
UTokyo PLog #2024-UT-01
Date & Time: January 5, 2024
Location: Yasuda Auditorium, Hongo Campus
Latitude/Longitude: 35°42'48.3"N / 139°45'44.2"E Open in Google Maps
I delivered my New Year’s Greeting as president, which some members of the university attended in person at Yasuda Auditorium, while it was also livestreamed to reach a larger audience.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to everyone who has suffered from the devastating earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas on New Year’s Day, and also wish to express my profound respect for those engaged in urgent support efforts.
As I approach the second half of my term in April, I am reminded of my resolve when I embarked on my presidency, to make the University of Tokyo an open institution where the diverse knowledge and people in society and from around the world can meet and engage in dialogue. Time will tell how this resolve will be regarded and evaluated over the course of the university’s journey. With a renewed spirit of urgency, I wish to move forward with members of the UTokyo community in 2024.
