Chancellor
Message from the Chancellor
Soichiro Kokui,
Chancellor of Hyogo Public University Corporation
The University of Hyogo was established in 2004 by merging three prefectural universities that had long histories and traditions: Kobe University of Commerce, Himeji Institute of Technology, and the College of Nursing Art and Science. I graduated from the Himeji Institute of Technology.
For the sake of my beloved alma mater, I will apply my experience and know-how gained as a manager in the private sector to achieve further growth with students and staff.
After graduating, I went to work for Noritz Corporation, headquartered in my home prefecture of Hyogo, where I have been a manager for more than 20 years.
Based on that business experience and a manager's perspective, I urge students to acquire the ability to think during their time at university.
When studying for an exam, there are always answers to the questions, and in most cases, there is only one answer.
However, you will need answers to avoid many problems when you go out into the real world. Even if there is an answer, it may not be the only one.
And even if you do reach an answer, you will then immediately have to start taking on new challenges. You must challenge higher goals to win against the competition.
In society, it is necessary to keep solving problems that do not have easy answers.
In my more than 20 years of management experience, I have been intensely aware of the following: Think thoroughly, whether asleep or awake.
Don't imitate your rivals; do something different from them. Challenge yourself to do things that no one else is doing.
Today, both the private sector and government require creative people who can think differently from others, or in today's jargon, people who are "pointy."
We hope that students will acquire the ability to think during their studies at the University of Hyogo and use this ability for the benefit of society in the future.
Soichiro Kokui
Chancellor, Hyogo Public University Corporation