The modern world is becoming more confusing. Complex and interrelated issues such as conflicts, violence, extreme poverty and widening disparities threaten the lives and dignity of many people across the globe beyond national borders. Climate change and environmental pollution added another threat. The age that human impact has reached the geological level has recently been termed the “Anthropocene.” Human impact on the earth might exceed planetary boundaries and cause unexpected disasters. Against the background of the above mentioned situation, in September of 2015, the international community of the United Naions agreed to the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” to guide the resolution of these urgent issues. For universities, there is an urgent need to develop human resources who can provide new guidelines for the goals set by the international community, and who can contribute and play an active role in the local community and international society in an increasingly confused international society.

As the mission of the University of Shizuoka, we aim to create a community through the development of human resources and the search for knowledge, and to connect to the future, for the realization of a society where “no one is left behind”, as set forth by the SDGs. Herein, I declare that we all will do our best to realize the goal as the mission of our university.

The pledge of SDGs is “no one is left behind”. It is necessary for each of us to have that consciousness, understand the challenges facing the world, the challenges facing Japan, and the challenges facing the region and respond appropriately. The University of Shizuoka will endeavor to create a community and to improve people's awareness through the provision of information and knowledge (or “information and skills”) to understand and deal with SDGs, and strive for human resource development and intellectual contributions to solve these issues.

SDGs cannot be achieved by persons acting alone. In order for “no one to be left behind”, not only people but also the region must be connected. The University of Shizuoka will serve as an intellectual hub that connects people and connects communities.

The development of human resources who can play an active role in the local community and the international community and the creation of knowledge to solve problems will lead us all into the future. The University of Shizuoka strives to lead everyone to a prosperous and sustainable future through initiatives that look beyond the short term.


November 28, 2019

University of Shizuoka / University of Shizuoka Junior College
President Hiroshi Kito