The roots of Osaka University and our motto “Live Locally, Grow Globally” lie in the university’s two founding establishments, Kaitokudo and Tekijuku. Kaitokudo was founded in 1724 by the citizens, and Tekijyuku was opened in 1838 by Ogata Koan, a prominent medical doctor. These two establishments were influenced by the then world cutting-edge knowledge and functioned as the place to citizens for creation of knowledge and education. Reviving this spirit of those two establishments, while Osaka University being the wide-open place for education to citizens, will lead to the realization as the organization for the creation of knowledge. Thus, the university motto is significant far beyond its historic conception. Through their continuous effort, our past and present pioneers have always strived to stimulate the minds and hearts of students, researchers, and citizens alike, keeping the university’s atmosphere one of unimpeded learning.

The future of Osaka University depends on these fundamental principles to contribute to its further advancement as one of the world’s top-rate universities.

Our continuous activities promoting cutting-edge research, challenges to uncharted research fields, an atmosphere that reveres study and research, respect for refined sophistication at our graduate schools and active contributions to society encouraged through cooperation with industries are all highly-regarded manners in which the university has brought, and will continue to bring its philosophy to life.

Osaka University is striving to educate students, researchers engaged in cutting-edge research, and individuals who are socially responsible, and who are remarkably grounded in “Critical Thinking, Imagination, and Transcultural Communicability”.This Osaka University Style is accordingly promoting Osaka University’s goals of becoming the university with visions for citizens, not only for the nation and researchers. Through our educational practices and philosophy, Osaka University’s students and researchers will continue to strive in every field, and to grow globally.

Dr. Kiyokazu Washida, President
Osaka University