President Aiji Tanaka is on a mission. As the leader of Waseda University, one of Japan’s top academic institutions, he is working to further revamp education. Founded in 1882, Waseda has long been at the forefront of progressive thought, with distinguished alumni spanning business, politics and science, as well as sports and the arts. Today, it continues to equip students with the skills for success in a rapidly changing world.
“Now is the time to start a new educational system, one through which students can learn to overcome problems that are yet unknown. While this is ambitious, it is an important task for future students to learn to think in this way,” said Tanaka, as he works to build a curriculum that prepares students for an increasingly uncertain world. Over 47,000 students attend Waseda, including over 8,000 international students, supported by a wide range of language-learning opportunities. “This cohort faces problems related to language and cultural barriers. As such, we offer courses in English in many of our schools, both for Japanese and international students,” said Tanaka. “And by providing Japanese language education, international students can manage daily social interactions and live here comfortably.”
As part of Waseda’s ‘Vision 150’—a strategic plan to establish Waseda University as a leading global university by its 150th anniversary in 2032— several key changes are already in place. Alongside new facilities and a vigorous focus on digital literacy, Tanaka has imparted a strong vision of Waseda as an institution of inclusivity. “At Waseda University, people are respected equally. This has been the case since our inception as an institution, and continues to this day,” he said.
