Dean's Message

Dean Huang
Guangwei Huang
Dean, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies

The Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies was established in 2005. As the name suggests, It is a place for conducting education and research activities to investigate the causes of various environmental problems, understand the actual situation, elucidate the mechanisms of change, and find solutions for problems.

Environmental problems may be defined in various ways, but to put it simply, negative environmental changes that occur mainly due to human activities. Especially from the middle of the 20th century, the rapid expansion of the scale of human activities has caused severe disturbances in the natural material cycle and ecosystems. One characteristic of current environmental problems is that people who cause environmental problems may suffer from the consequences of environmental degradation. Another feature is that various environmental issues are intricately intertwined.

Against this background, it is impossible to find genuine solutions to complex environmental problems within conventional stovepipe academic fields. Knowledge fusion from various academic disciplines is indispensable for solving environmental issues.

The discipline of environmental studies was based on existing academic fields such as natural sciences and engineering, economics, social sciences, and humanities. Environmental studies aim to provide new and universal scientific knowledge regarding the interaction between nature and human society. Furthermore, it should provide support to our communities for sustainable development.

Since its establishment, we have presented many achievements to society regarding various environmental problems. At the same time, we nurtured many graduate students and sent them out to different workplaces. However, environmental issues on regional and global scales are becoming increasingly severe, and the societal demand for environmental studies is further increasing.

How many people predicted that the pandemic would have affected social activities to such an extent three years ago? In the future, there will be many unpredictable happenings. What is needed is human resources who have the adaptability to respond flexibly and the ability to pursue the truth in any environment for the development of a sustainable society.

The Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies of Sophia University is committed to high level research and related educational activities to tackle issues that conventional academic fields cannot solve.

We welcome students who are eager to solve global environmental problems.

Guangwei Huang
Dean, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies