Azabu University held the "Azabu Veterinary School Press Exchange Meeting" on December 12, last year, where President Hiroaki Ogura and President Yasushi Kawakami gave inauguration greetings, a report on the status of the university, and an introduction to the activities of the SDGs.
小倉理事長は、令和3年9月1日に理事長に就任し、任期は令和6年5月31日までとなっている。また、川上泰学長は、令和3年11月1日に学長に就任し、任期は令和7年3月31日までとなっており、麻布大学環境保健学部（現：生命・環境科学部）を卒業した経歴から、麻布大学の長い歴史の中でも獣医学部出身者以外での初の学長就任となる。
At the press conference, Mr. Hiroaki Ogura, Chairman of the Board of Directors, gave a speech about his inauguration and his aspirations for the future. He stated that he would like to give back to society and collaborate with the local community, and to firmly develop this university, which is an important learning place for students and a meeting place.
Next, President Yasushi Kawakami gave an inauguration greeting and a recent report on the university, and listed the issues to be addressed in the future as follows.
XNUMX, About securing applicants
Due to the declining 18-year-old population, each private university is in a difficult situation, and even at Azabu University, some departments are struggling to secure applicants.
Therefore, by convening committee members from inside and outside the university and setting up a "university reform office," we will work on various reforms while incorporating the objective perspectives of third parties.
In addition, the Faculty of Life Sciences has already signed educational cooperation agreements with 6 high schools, and will strengthen the relationship with the partner schools by enhancing the contents of cooperation, centering on cooperation for inquiry-based learning. ..
XNUMX, About reform of university veterinary hospital
The Azabu University Animal Hospital, which provides secondary medical care, is promptly proceeding with the expansion and renovation work of the hospital in order to play a central role in the region in terms of both education and research and medical care. Disseminate information and hold seminars.
XNUMX, About high school connection with Azabu University High School
In order to secure a certain number of applicants from the attached high school, we will deepen the cooperation with the teachers of the attached high school, grasp the situation regarding the career selection of high school students, consider the ideal way of attractive faculties and departments, and the school. Conduct integrated strategic entrance examination and public relations activities.
XNUMX, About acquisition of subsidy
The acquisition of scientific research funds is increasing every year, and the results of research have been extremely high in recent years.
Therefore, we will promote the improvement of the environment to establish the image of "Azabu University of Research" and focus on the acquisition of subsidies and subsidies as an important matter.
XNUMX, Correspondence to university evaluation, etc.
Regarding the self-inspection evaluation and veterinary education evaluation scheduled for the 5th year of Reiwa, the president himself will make use of his experience in certification evaluation, self-inspection and evaluation, and not only to take the examination but also to educate. This will lead to the reform of Azabu University, which is always conscious of quality assurance.
XNUMX, About the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "Human Resources Development Project to Support a Knowledge-Intensive Society" (Education Program to Pull Out the Pile from Menu II)
Regarding the "Animal Symbiosis Science Generalist Training Program", which was the only one adopted in Japan, educational reform is indispensable for business promotion, and it will be steadily promoted along with the system development.
In addition, we will effectively disseminate information and secure applicants.
He also touched on the "Fieldwork Center" in Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture, which was opened in April last year, and introduced that the Faculty of Life Sciences will also incorporate fieldwork on the environment and animals into its departmental education. ..
Finally, President Kawakami expressed his intention to actively grasp and share information with the entire university as the president of the university, and at the same time, expand the opportunities for female faculty and staff to play an active role, creating an atmosphere where faculty and staff can work while feeling rewarding. The president himself took the lead in creating an environment where he could maximize his abilities, and stated his determination to promote reforms so that the university could survive.
Next, as an introduction to the activities of the SDGs, Fumiyo Murayama, Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, explained the SDGs that the Department of Environmental Sciences has been working on under the title of "Earth Symbiosis x SDGs. Was done.
1. About SDGs efforts of the Department of Environmental Science
In the Department of Environmental Science, the SDGs Study Group was established in the month following September 2030 when the United Nations adopted the 2015 Agenda SDGs, and in December of the same year, student volunteers presented to Toyota's CSR Department at a three-university competition presentation competition. At the event for citizens, we have been proactively working from the early stage when the awareness of SDGs is low, such as holding "Environmental Cafe Azabu" to discuss water and hygiene.
After that, starting with the activities of Azaone in Aone, Sagamihara City, which was published in the JST (Science and Technology Promotion Organization) SDGs casebook, SDGs Partners registration in Kanagawa Prefecture and Sagamihara City, professional soccer such as SC Sagamihara and Machida Zelvia. We are continuing to work on SDGs with governments and companies, such as by collaborating with teams, and we have a track record of winning prizes in 2019 and 2020 at the University SDGs Action Awards sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun.
2, about education
There is an environment where you can learn about SDGs in the subjects of "Earth Symbiosis Theory", which is a common subject throughout the university, and "Global Environmental Science" and "SDGs and Future Symbiosis Science" in the Department of Environmental Science.
In addition, Professor Kazuho Inaba of the Department of Environmental Science has earned scientific research funds for research using SDGs as a keyword, and other departments are also conducting research related to SDGs. I'm out.
Next, Assistant Professor Azusa Sakanishi of the Department of Environmental Science introduced the plastic waste reduction project "Forest Tumbler Project," which is being carried out in collaboration with Asahi Group Holdings, as an example of current SDGs activities.
1, the purpose of the project
A "disposable container" that overflows around us and is discharged in large quantities.Azabu University Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences Department of Environmental Sciences and Asahi Group Holdings have set the goal of "I want to continue using it as a matter of course", and Panasonic and Asahi Breweries jointly developed a plant-derived eco-cup "Forest" that can be used many times. Using "things" called "tumblers", students provided ideas, that is, "things", and started a project to reduce disposable containers and review their consumption behavior.
2. Contents of the on-campus project
Although we had already been engaged in activities such as introducing the My Tumbler system in SC Sagamihara and promoting the use of My Bottle OK stores in Machida City, we were unable to carry out activities on campus due to the Corona disaster, but it was temporary. As the situation eased, the activities on campus were resumed.
Students investigated the amount of disposable containers (PET bottles) discharged on campus for this project, and conducted a My Tumbler campaign to present eco-cups to questionnaire respondents.
Furthermore, by installing a water server on campus, the usage environment for my tumbler (my bottle) will be prepared, and the amount of water supplied by the water server will be converted into the amount of PET bottles to measure the amount of reduction.
From November to the day of the press exchange meeting (as of December 11nd), there is an effect of reducing PET bottles for 12 bottles, and this initiative is scheduled to continue until the end of 2.
3. Voices of students participating in the project
・ "I was able to realize the connection with society that cannot be learned through classroom lectures, and also to learn what companies are doing to meet their needs."
・ "I felt that it was very important to convey the actual situation of the environment to the general public. I hope that by getting to know the current situation, I can lead to reductions as much as possible."
After these announcements, questions and answers with participants, photography, information exchange between individual attendees, etc. were held, and the press exchange meeting ended with great success.
