Kyoto Seika University (then Kyoto Seika Junior College) was founded in 1968, and Seiichi Okamoto, a liberal political scientist and the university’s first president, established the goal of creating a completely new type of university. As a condition for his appointment, President Okamoto submitted his "Memorandum on Foundational Education Principles," which laid out Kyoto Seika’s founding principles of respect for humanity, freedom, and autonomy.
Based on these principles, it is the mission of the university to educate individuals who will contribute to the world and be responsible for writing the next chapter of human history. All students, faculty, and staff are equal in character and are actively engaged in the evolution of the university.
Based on these principles, it is the mission of the university to educate individuals who will contribute to the world and be responsible for writing the next chapter of human history. All students, faculty, and staff are equal in character and are actively engaged in the evolution of the university.
Memorandum on Foundational Education Principles
- Kyoto Seika College bases its education on principles of great respect and regard for humanity. These concepts also underpin the Constitution of Japan and its Fundamental Law of Education and are the basis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Kyoto Seika Junior College is not affiliated with any one religion. However, it respects the truths sought by many religions and their ethos of sincerity and love for humanity.
- Students are taught to respect their teachers because, without respect for instructors, students cannot grow as individuals or receive academic guidance from their instructors. In addition, the education our teachers provide helps students cultivate respect for their parents and neighbors.
- Faculty members must be patient with and care for their students unconditionally, like how a parent loves a child. Both staff and teachers bear further responsibility for education outside of the classroom.
- Students' liberty and independence on campus are respected, and that ethos is cultivated. Accordingly, students must take responsibility for their environment and maintain order on campus.
- Disorderly etiquette and language must be rectified for a new era, and undignified attitudes and language will not be tolerated on the premises.
- Finally, all educational activities at Kyoto Seika Junior College are dedicated to the formation of human beings who will serve Japan and the world and be responsible for writing the next chapter of human history.
Educational Philosophy
Throughout the years, Okamoto's founding principles have been the subject of debate, even controversy, and new layers of understanding and interpretation have been added over time. In the spring of 2003, Kyoto Seika University once again clarified its mission and foundational principles to renew and continue the founding principles.
The Mission of Kyoto Seika University
- As its basic educational principle, Kyoto Seika respects the autonomy of the individual. Our objective is to promote a spirit of independence, thereby contributing to human society through intellectual and artistic pursuits.
- In order to fulfill its objective of instilling a spirit of independence and duty for social responsibility, Kyoto Seika will always maintain a social perspective and actively contribute to society.
- Kyoto Seika University is an organic community incorporating faculty members, students, and administration, and our students are educated on the basis of human relationships within that community.