Vision

The Institute of Liberal Arts offers courses in a wide range of liberal arts fields, including the humanities, social sciences, foreign languages, wellness, pedagogy, and Japanese language. In addition, a curriculum of core subjects is continuously and systematically offered from first-year undergraduate studies to the doctoral program in order to promote independent, active learning for students to think about and discuss social and life issues on their own.

It goes without saying that expertise in the natural sciences is indispensable for humanity to confront the many problems we face on this planet today, including infectious diseases and natural disasters, but it is also true that science and technology alone cannot offer comprehensive solutions to these problems.

Although we live in a modern civilization with highly developed information systems and technology, major problems — such as inequality and poverty, discrimination and abuse, as well as destruction of the natural environment and war — remain unresolved. These are phenomena caused by human beings themselves. We must explore above all the state of the human mind and determine the direction of the society that we build.

How can we live in harmony with nature and take advantage of the earth's bounty? How can we understand people from different cultures who speak different languages? What kind of future can we imagine beyond our present world overflowing with materials and information? What is necessary for every one of us to live happily in the first place? Think for yourself, exchange opinions with others, occasionally consult old books to discover the wisdom and lessons of humankind that have accumulated in the strata of history, and face questions for which there are not always clear-cut answers. With this wish in mind, the Institute for Liberal Arts is committed to providing education across Tokyo Tech by combining all the efforts of faculty members to help students acquire a deep understanding of the liberal arts and rich communication skills.

Dean of the Institute for Liberal Arts

Taro Yamazaki