Education
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University was established in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College, the first college in Japan to award bachelor degrees, and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2001. The college and Hokkaido University have worked throughout the twentieth century to promote the modernization of Japan. The phrase " Boys, be ambitious!" which were the parting words of Dr. William S. Clark, the first president of the university, to his students of Sapporo Agricultural College, has inspired young students through the years, and is recognized as one of the most popular catch-phrase for Japanese boys and girls. In the history of over a century, the University has awarded 100 thousand bachelor degrees, 23 thousand master degrees, and 15 thousand PhD degrees.
Hokkaido University consists of twelve faculties, fourteen graduate schools and five major research institutes, and as well as many other divisions, in which 2170 academic staff, with the help of 2000 clerical and technical staff, conduct advanced research as well as the organized education of about 5600 graduate students and 11000 undergraduate students. The number of foreign students is approximately 650 and the number of visiting researchers is over 1000 from more than 70 countries. Except for the Faculty of Fisheries which is located in Hakodate, a historic sea port situated on the southernmost tip of Hokkaido, all other Faculties are located on the Sapporo Main Campus, which is near the centre of Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido with a population of 1.8 million, host to the 1972 Winter Olympic Games. Hokkaido University has concluded agreements for academic and educational exchange with 96 Institutes and Universities in 18 countries and 1 territory.
The challenge in the early part of the 21st century is to overcome the structural stagnation of modern civilization induced by the rapid and huge scale development. Hokkaido University has transformed itself into a "Graduate Research University", which places greater emphasis than ever upon graduate education and research activities, and aims to maintain the highest standards and to promote the evolution of post-modern civilization. Hokkaido University continues its commitment to making every effort to increase its academic activity by improving the quality of its research and education.
