寶馨 (Takara, Kaoru)

Through honest dialogue with many people in the university, I will address and improve various issues that have not been solved or touched upon for many years. Of course, I respect various senses of values and different cultural ideas and will try to find innovative solutions without adhering to unnecessary traditions and existing frameworks. I will divide the six years of my service as the president into three two-year stages (three WAVEs) to implement step by step 30 FREEDOM policies steadily and boldly.

• F(inance): I will propose a Kyoto University Financial Bond with a scale of ten billion Japanese yen or more, which is independent from MEXT’s regular financial support and will provide a dynamic financial base for the university. Combining this with the donation for KU’s 125th anniversary in 2022, I will implement what we should be doing during the six coming years.
• R(esearch): I encourage all types of research activity, not only advanced studies (cutting-edge research) but also long-term basic and applied studies, interdisciplinary research, and consilience research combining natural/social sciences and humanities. I will also establish a system for evaluating the respective significance of the research. I will strengthen a strategic international network, making use of the overseas field study sites, on-site laboratories, off-campus research facilities, and overseas KU offices to lead various sciences in the world. We should establish a system for ensuring research ethics for studies about human-beings, maintaining an appropriate and fair environment in research and education, and retain and protect human dignity, rights and security.
• E(ducation): Students can deepen their knowledge in their chosen fields, and discover the world even after specializing. I will enhance such traditions that students can learn anything at any time depending on their stage of study, considering his/her future and life. I will consider a new system promoting overseas on-site education to encourage students to study abroad for short or long term. I will reactivate various international/interdisciplinary educational programs with adequate financial support. I would like to renovate old sports facilities such as the gymnasium, swimming pool, and sports grounds and modernize them with state-of-the-art and easy-to-use equipment. I hope such facilities can also be used by Kyoto citizens.
• E(mergency): I will make every effort to cope with and settle the situations impacted by the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak. KU may face earthquakes on the Hanaori Fault close to the main campus and they may cause serious damage; and earthquakes in the Nankai Trough may trigger tsunamis, which could have a severe impact on KU facilities in coastal zones. I will consider emergency management issues making use of the knowledge and experience obtained during my 24-year tenure at DPRI.
• D(iversity): I will encourage women to participate more actively in various important topics within a more supportive and conducive environment. Women’s voices are always important to improve gender balance and equal opportunities. I will create learning and working environments that are easier for handicapped persons, persons raising children, and nursing-care takers. Establishing on-campus child-care facilities is one of my priorities. I expect and encourage more active participation of international staff and students in various activities to stimulate and globalize KU. I will improve the working and learning environment while providing a safe and secure environment.
• O(pportunities): I propose to invite applications for Executive Vice Presidents. I will select excellent applicants who have strong intention and ability. This is to constantly introduce fresh ideas into the executive system of the university. I will periodically introduce opportunities for press conferences as a process of establishing accountability, and dialogue with younger staff including students, who will support the next generation. Using this dialogue as a compass, I would like to review and explore future directions for KU. I will strive to maintain and upgrade many facilities such as domestic and overseas field sites, on-site laboratories, off-campus research and education facilities, the KU Hospital, libraries, the KU Museum, cultural facilities, and sports facilities, which will be used by alumni and citizens.
• M(otivation): I will reform the current working systems for supporting staff such as technicians, URA (university research administrators) and part-time workers, so they will become more active and have higher hopes for their future as partners of research, education, and medical services in the university. Taking advantage of being in Kyoto, I will promote cooperative studies based on the characteristics of the location and with enterprises in surrounding areas. We will be growing with its citizens and thereby further contribute to Kyoto.

• Vision (detailed version 200627)
• Research overview (200708, in Japanese)
• CV (detailed version 200625, in Japanese)
• Kyoto University Bond for flexible financial management
• Sent 139 young researchers to 31 countries by a MEXT fund (2010-2013)
• Issued certificates to 37 doctors in MEXT Global COE Program GCOE-ARS, 2009-2013
• Issued certificates to 40 doctors in MEXT GSS Program, 2011-2018 (in Japanese)
• Supporting Letter from Dr. Gretchen Kalonji, former UNESCO Assistant Director-General in charge of science, currently Director and Professor of Sichuan University, China
• Five Priciples of Water