University Philosophy

Three Educational Policies of Hiroshima Shudo University

Operated by Shudo Gakuen, an educational corporation that originated from the Hiroshima Domain's clan school, Hiroshima Shudo University (HSU) upholds, as its ideal, "fostering individuals who can contribute to the development of the local community", in line with its founding spirit of "Cultivating the Way".

The word "shudo" used in our school name has its origin in a passage in the Chinese classic The Doctrine of the Mean that reads "Cultivating the Way is called education". Based on the understanding that "cultivate" in this context means "straighten" and "cultivating the way" means "straightening the way for learning", we define our educational capabilities as the "capabilities for cultivating the way for learning".

In view of the ongoing trend in Japan marked by globalization and a declining population, HSU sets as its educational goal "fostering individuals who can contribute to the development of the local community from a global perspective", and seeks to achieve this goal in cooperation with the local community.

I. Diploma Policy

To help each student become an individual who can contribute to the development of the local community from a global perspective, HSU seeks to ensure that students acquire the following three abilities through its bachelor's degree programs:

1. Developing academic knowledge and skills
2. Improving the skills of critical and creative thinking, judgement, and self-expression
3. Collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds to create value

II. Curriculum Policy

To help each student smoothly start his or her studies at HSU, acquire profound knowledge through the university's bachelor's degree programs, and grow into an individual who can contribute to the development of the local community from a global perspective, HSU emphasizes the following three points in its curriculum policy:

1. Proceeding from basic to advanced studies

2. Broadening perspectives

3. Increasing experiences

III. Admission Policy

To admit students who have the potential to become individuals who can contribute to the development of the local community from a global perspective, HSU emphasizes the following three points in its admission policy:

1. Types of students the University looks for
2. Entrance examinations and evaluation
3. Abilities developed through HSU education

HSU Symbol

HSU's symbol is modeled after the Chinese character "道" used in its name "修道 (Shudo)". Depending on when one looks at it, who looks at it, and from what angle, this logo evokes a variety of images—the earth, Japan, a person and the Seto Inland Sea to name but a few. On a closer look, the symbol looks like the "way" along which these various images advance toward one ultimate goal. The core concept of the symbol, therefore, is the "way"—the way that humankind has followed and the way that will lead to the future. In other words, the logo signifies its identity as an educational institution that cultivates the way for learning as well as the way HSU seeks to follow in the future.