Ever since its establishment in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College, Hokkaido University has been seeking to contribute to the development of a sustainable society by utilizing its vast lands, including both the Sapporo and Hakodate campuses, as well as experimental farms, ranches, botanical gardens, and research forests that are among the largest university forests in the world. More recently, toward the 150th anniversary of the University’s founding in 2026, Hokkaido University has set forth a Future Strategy titled “Contributing Towards the Resolution of Global Issues” to strengthen its educational and research activities that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

To further advance these efforts, in 2021, Hokkaido University established the “Institute for the Advancement of Sustainability” as a platform to promote education, research, social collaboration, and the creation of a sustainable campus to create a sustainable society by utilizing the University’s physical and intellectual assets and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders.

We are now at a major turning point in history, where we face new challenges of diversity and inclusion, carbon neutrality, and a post-COVID-19 society, as part of building a sustainable society.

In the spirit of Dr. William Smith Clark’s “Lofty Ambition,” we aim to be an unparalleled university that enlightens the world with the light of knowledge and contributes to the development of a sustainable future.

HOUKIN Kiyohiro, Director, Institute for the Advancement of Sustainability