MAIL MAGAZINEEnvironment
The world today faces a multitude of challenges and environmental issues. These include emerging infectious diseases, climate change, the food and energy crisis, and international conflicts. For Japan, the decline in the vitality of communities caused by a falling population and the resulting regional environmental problems have become urgent social issues of grave concern. Society is thus changing at tremendous speed. Overcoming this host of challenges and ushering in a new, happier, more prosperous society will require that local communities and universities engage in co-creation with the goal of building a better society. Never have universities faced greater expectations as centers of knowledge.
At this critical juncture, Mie University has made clear its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by formulating and unveiling the Mie University Environment and SDGs Policy in conjunction with stakeholders in the surrounding region and worldwide. Our unique educational and research programs, which involve learning from local communities, can claim to be world-class. As an advanced environmental university, we are taking steps to build a society in harmony with the global environment. Our mission is summed up in the words "From Mie to the world, from the world to Mie." Our educational programs nurture the ability to act by fostering connections with local communities, society at large, and the world. We train environmental leaders equipped with the skills to take the action to achieve carbon neutrality. We run an on-demand program on environmental issues called the Scientific, Local and Environmental "Talented Staff" Development Program (SciLets). The University practices the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). We also implement energy-saving measures on campus, carry out environmental activities in partnership with local governments, schools, and industry, and actively promote environmental education.
We are convinced that the need for bold, innovative thinking and new initiatives in the environmental field is now greater than ever. Mie University aims to evolve into a future-oriented campus that harnesses cutting-edge scientific technology while preserving the natural environment in all its glory. In pursuit of this goal, we are ready to boldly rise to the challenge of reinventing ourselves as an institution of higher learning.
The Center for Global Environment Education & Research for Mie University has three divisions, as follows: A) Division of Research, B) Division of Education and Human Resource Development, and C) Division of Campus. The work contents for Division of Research are 1) promotion of R&D and social implementation that contributes to overcoming local and global issues in cooperation with local communities, 2) Research promotion on the environment by means of interdisciplinary fusion (integrated/new fields, humanities and social sciences, science and engineering, and biology), 3) Promotion of research and co-creation activities related to local industry, nature, local culture, multicultural society, etc, 4) Strengthen research activities and co-creation with the local community toward the realization of a Society 5.0 local society, including DX, and 5) Improvement of the organizational environment to promote and strengthen research. The work contents for Division of Education and Human Resource Development contain 1) Promotion of environmental education and local human resource development to produce leaders of a sustainable society who have both knowledge of the environment and the SDGs and the ability to take action, 2) Management and promotion of Scientific, Local and Environmental 'Talented Staff' (SciLets) program for working people, 3) Planning of environmental symposiums, 4) Implementation of "Introduction to Scientific Local Environment I & II" (common education course), 5) Fostering an environmental mindset among students, 6) Training of internal environmental auditors, and 7) Implementation of environmental internship program. The work contents for Division of Campus include 1) Study and promotion of zero-carbon campus that contributes to carbon neutrality, 2) Operation and promotion of the smart campus project, 3) Operation and promotion of MIEU points, 4) Support activities of the student environmental committee, 5) Operation of the environmental management system (EMS), 6) Fostering an environmental mindset among faculty and staff, 7) Preparation and publication of environmental and SDGs reports, 8) Proper management and disposal of waste, and 9) Operation and promotion of chemical management system and proper disposal of laboratory liquid waste.
