100年に一度と言われるパンデミックによって、経済や社会構造、政治構造までも大きく変わろうとしています。世界はノアの方舟のようなものとも考えられており、我先に助かろうとしてもうまくはいきません。国や地域を越えて連帯し、優れた知見を集結させて、貧富の差に関係なくワクチンを分かち合うことが肝要でしょう。学生たちはコロナ禍においても、学びを止めずに学修に励んでいます。このような経験を糧に大きく成長した学生たちが、いずれ社会の中核を担うときが来るのを今から楽しみにしています。

学生がコロナ禍を自ら歴史の当事者として体験し、世界中の人々と共に学んでいる事は非常に多くありますね。ただ、このような状況であっても学生に求められていることが大きく変わることはないと考えています。それは本学の教育理念でもある「本質に迫って深く考える」ということ。社会には、ありとあらゆる情報があふれているので、なぜこのようなことが起きているのか、なぜ世界はこれほど大きく揺れ動いているのかを深く考えてほしいと思っています。

そうですね。また、学生には想像力たくましく、前向きに行動してほしいと願っています。その前向きさを引き出すのが大学の務めであり、そのための環境を整えることが学校法人東洋大学の経営の在り方だと思っています。

想像力は大切です。オンラインで国内外と交流できる時代だからこそ、画面の向こうの世界を想像し、物事の本質を見定める力が必要です。目に見えない真実を見抜くことは難しいことですが、学生のうちに身につけてほしいと考えています。

This pandemic is a once in hundred years event that is about to significantly change the economy, social structure, and even political structure. The world could be considered as similar to Noah’s Ark, in that even if you try to save yourself first, it will not work. It is essential to work in solidarity across countries and regions, gather outstanding insights and share vaccines regardless of the gap between the rich and poor. Our students have never stopped learning, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am looking forward to the days when our students who have grown substantially from this experience will play a central role in our society.

The students themselves are experiencing history and learning many things together with people around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even under these circumstances, I think what is required of students will not change considerably. That is to “think deeply in search of true essence,” which is our university’s educational philosophy. As our society is overflowing with all sorts of information, I would like our students to think deeply about what makes this occur and why the world has swayed to this extent.

I agree. I also hope that our students will be good at imagining and acting positively. It is our university’s duty to draw out their positive attitudes, and I believe that the management of Toyo University Incorporated Educational Institution should be to design an environment for that purpose.

Imagination is important. We live in a such time where we can interact online with people both at home and abroad. As such, we need to be able to imagine the world beyond the screen and discern the true nature of things. It is difficult to recognize the invisible truths but I hope that our students will be able to do that during the course of their studies.

コロナ禍で大学を取り巻く状況も刻々と変化しています。昨年は充分準備する間もなくオンライン授業の実施を余儀なくされましたが、これまで一度も大規模なトラブルは発生していません。これは10年以上前からシステム構築やIT基盤整備に取り組んできた教職員の努力の賜物です。

平時にオンライン授業に移行するとなれば年単位の時間がかかったことでしょう。コロナ禍という特別な状況だったとはいえ、短期間で成し遂げたことには私も感心しました。教員の方々も大変だったのではないですか。

そうですね。オンライン授業未経験の教員は少なくありませんでしたが、オンライン化に反対する意見が出なかったどころか、自主的にオンライン授業の実施方法に関する勉強会を立ち上げたり、オンライン用コンテンツを作ったりと熱心に取り組んでいます。一方で、学生の主体的な学びのマネージメントをサポートする部分に少し課題が残りました。

主体的に学び、自分の道を切り拓いていく術は、学生のうちに身につけたいところですね。

そのために、DX（デジタルトランスフォーメーション）に注力することにしました。「東洋大学教育DX推進基本計画」を策定し、同計画を基にした取組み「『学生一人ひとりの成長を約束する学修者本位の教育の実現』 ～“３万人のLearning Journey ”の羅針盤～」が、文部科学省の補助事業である「デジタルを活用した大学・高専教育高度化プラン」に採択されました。まずは、情報のワンストップ化を実現し、学生が自身の学びをマネージメントするアプリ「キャンパス・ライフ・マネジメント・システム（CLMS）」を開発する予定です。

一方、国連で採択されたSDGs（持続可能な開発目標）の達成にむけた取り組みにも積極的に取り組んでいきます。貧困やジェンダー平等、環境問題などの社会課題には必ず多面性がありますので、これからの社会で中核を担う学生たちは物の見方や考え方を多角的に学ぶ必要があります。大学教員はそれぞれの分野の専門家ですから、学生たちはSDGsを切り口として、それらを深く学ぶことができます。教育DXは主体的な学びを支え、SDGs教育は本質を見定める力を養う。これらは、急激に変化し正解のない事態に遭遇することも多い今の時代に必要なものだと考えています。

本学の理念としての「東洋大学の心」※に、「他者のために自己を磨く」とあります。学生時代は人のために活躍する自身の将来を深く考えて、自分を磨く最大の機会ではないでしょうか。そのためには、大学もまた「他者のため」であらねばなりません。学校法人東洋大学では、「地球社会の明るい未来を拓く」を目標とした中期計画「TOYO GRAND DESIGN 2020-2024」を策定しました。教育DX推進やSDGsへの貢献を含め、教育、研究、社会貢献・社会連携のあらゆる面において、地球社会の未来に貢献するべく邁進しています。

The situation surrounding our university is changing every moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, we were forced to conduct online classes without sufficient time to prepare for them, but we didn’t have any major issues. This is the result of the efforts of our faculty and staff members who have been working on system building and IT infrastructure designing for more than ten years.

It would have taken years to shift to online classes in normal times. I was impressed with what was achieved in such a short period of time even though it was under unusual circumstances in the COVID-19 pandemic. It must have been very hard for the faculty members.

Yes, it was. There were some faculty members who had no experience with online classes, but instead of raising objections to going online, our faculty members were enthusiastic, voluntarily setting up study groups on how to conduct online classes and creating online content. On the other hand, we still have a few issues in the area of supporting the management of students’ proactive learning.

I hope our students will be able to take the initiative in learning and create their own paths while they are students.

Yes, for the purpose, we have decided to focus on DX (Digital Transformation). We formulated the “Toyo University Basic Plan for the Promotion of DX in Education,” and launched an initiative, entitled “Design student-centered education to ensure the growth of each and every student: A compass for Learning Journeys of 30,000 students,” based on the basic plan. The initiative was selected for the “Plan for the Advanced Education at Universities and Colleges of Technology Using Digital Technology,” a subsidized program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. For now, we are planning to develop a Campus Life Management System (CLMS), which is an application that will create one-stop services providing information and help our students manage their own learning.

At the same time, we are actively contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are the international targets adopted by the United Nations. As global social issues such as poverty, gender equality, and environmental problems are always multifaceted, our students who will play a central role in the future society need to learn how to look and think about things from multiple perspectives. University instructors are experts in their respective fields, so students can use the SDGs as a starting point for learning about such issues in depth. Digital transformation in education supports the proactive learning of our students, and education on the SDGs develops their ability to discern the essence of issues. I believe that such education is required in these times, when we often encounter situations which are rapidly changing and provide no right answers.

The Heart of Toyo University* is our philosophy of “improving oneself for the benefit of others.” During the school time, students have the greatest opportunity to think deeply about their future in which they will play an active role for the benefit of others and improve themselves. For the purpose, our university must also be for the benefit of others. Toyo University Incorporated Educational Institution has developed the “Toyo Grand Design 2020–2024,” a medium-term plan with the goal of paving the way for a bright future for the global community. We are striving to contribute to the future of the global society in all aspects of education, research, social contribution and social collaboration, including the promotion of DX in education and contributions to the SDGs.

急激に事態が変化する昨今は100％の正解がない場面が多いと感じます。例えば、オンライン授業か、対面授業か、ハイブリッド授業かという問題。どの選択肢にも賛成意見と反対意見があるでしょう。学生も正解が見つからずに悩むこともあると思いますが、そもそも人生とはそういうもの。困難な場面では立ち止まったり落ち込んだりしても良いので、そこから自分で立ち上がることが大切です。折れるのではなく、困難を受けても再び立ち上がれる竹のようなしなやかな強さが理想ですね。

今の学生はコロナ禍で入学式・卒業式や海外留学の中止、キャンパス閉鎖、全面オンライン授業などを経験しています。いつかこの経験が人間を強くしたと言える日が来ることを願っています。

そして、そのための諸活動を支えるのが我々の役目です。保護者や教職員はもちろんのこと、地域社会や企業、国などの多くが、これからの社会を担う学生に焦点を当てて考えています。学校法人東洋大学も、学生のためにやるべきことを第一に考え、実行することを経営の指針としています。

教育現場では、学生の学びを守るための“エッセンシャルワーカー”が活躍しています。授業はオンライン化できても、キャンパスは無人化できません。教職員は密を避けながらも毎日仕事をしていますし、対面授業に備えて消毒などの感染対策も行っています。白山キャンパスでは学生の行動履歴を把握するために講義室等の机に24,000枚ものQRコードを貼り付けていますが、すべて職員の手作業でした。また、卒業式や入学式の際には学生が集まるので、近隣の方々にご挨拶をしました。実際とても温かく見守っていただくことができました。

コロナ禍による困難は続きますが、東洋大学は今後も教職員一丸となって、日本はもちろん世界の人々のために、自己を磨き、大いに貢献する学生を育てる大学であり続けたいと思います。

In these days of a rapidly changing world, I feel that we often encounter a situations in which there is no 100% correct answer. For example, the question of whether to conduct online classes, in-person class on campus, or hybrid classes. There will be pros and cons to each and every choice. I assume our students sometimes struggle to find the right answer, but that is what life is all about. In difficult situations, it is alright to stop moving or to feel down, but what is important is to get back on your feet by yourself. I would lile students to aim for a supple strength like bamboo that never fulters and rises no matter what difficulties they face.

Today’s students are experiencing outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic such as cancellation of entrance and graduation ceremonies or study abroad programs, campus closures, and full-scale online classes. However, I really hope that one day they will be able to say that this experience has made them stronger as a person.

And it is our role to support their various activities for that purpose. Not only parents and our faculty and staff members, but also many local communities, companies and countries are thinking about and focusing on the students who will be leaders of the future society. Toyo University Incorporated Educational Institution has also placed first and foremost priority on what should be done for the benefit of students as our guidelines for management.

In education fields, “essential workers” are playing an important role to protect students’ learning. Classes can be online, but campuses cannot be unmanned. Our faculty and staff members work every day while avoiding close quarters and conduct measures against infection such as disinfection in preparation for in-person classes on campus. For example, at our Hakusan Campus, as many as 24,000 QR code labels were placed on desks in lecture rooms and other places to keep track of the students’ activities and all the work was done manually by our staff. Also, we visited our neighbors to provide information on the graduation and entrance ceremonies, at which a large number of our students gather. In fact, we received a very warm welcome from our neighbors.

Despite the continuing difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the faculty and staff members of Toyo University will continue working together to be the university that educates students who can improve themselves and contribute to people in Japan and around the world.