Hokusei Gakuen University

Hokusei Gakuen University
北星学園大学
Established 1962
Type Private
Endowment N/A
Chancellor Shinji Kanai
Academic staff
117 full-time
19 part-time
Students 4337
Undergraduates 4284
Postgraduates 53
Location Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan
Campus Urban
Affiliations Brethren Colleges Abroad
Website www.hokusei.ac.jp

Hokusei Gakuen University (北星学園大学 Hokusei Gakuen daigaku) is a four-year private university in Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. The university is run by Hokusei Gakuen School System, whose education philosophy is based on Christianity.

Its name Hokusei (北星) means "north (北)" and "star (星)." It is derived from the biblical reference "Shine like stars, in a dark world" (Philippians 2:15). It was recommended by Japanese scholar and politician Inazo Nitobe and praised by the founder of the university Sarah Clara Smith. The university houses the two-year Hokusei Gakuen University Junior College and Hokusei Gakuen University Graduate School.

Hokusei Gakuen University is a member of Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA) .

History

The history of Hokusei Gakuen University goes back in time to 1887, when an American missionary of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, Sarah Clara Smith founded "Smith Girls' School." In 1894, the school was relocated and renamed "Hokusei Women’s School" as Japanese scholar Inazo Nitobe recommended.

After Smith died in 1947, the school experienced several renovations and expansion. In 1962, Hokusei Gakuen University was officially founded with the Department of English, Department of Social Welfare, and School of Humanities.

In 2007, the Hokusei Gakuen School System marked its 120th anniversary since the foundation of Smith Girls’ School and planned to have a ceremony in Chūō-ku, Sapporo with other Hokusei Gakuen schools: Hokusei Gakuen University High School, Hokusei Gakuen Girls' Junior & Senior High School, and Hokusei Yoichi High School.

Academics and organization

"Kirari," one of the Student Activities Buildings.

Undergraduate units

Postgraduate units

Notable alumni

Sources

External links

Coordinates: 43°1′29″N 141°26′55.5″E / 43.02472°N 141.448750°E