On November 18th and 19th, GEN Japan and Sophia University successfully hosted the kickoff event for the Sophia Entrepreneurship Network (SEN). This event was held in conjunction with the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), which takes place simultaneously across the globe. This year's GEW theme, "Entrepreneurship is for Everybody", was embodied throughout the event, marking an inspiring start for SEN.
This initiative is grounded in Sophia University's educational philosophy, "For Others, With Others. " It aims to broaden the understanding of entrepreneurship by focusing on addressing and solving social issues, regardless of entrepreneurial intent. The event began with five key priorities, reflecting the university's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship across its community.
1. International Outreach through GEW Collaboration
The kickoff was a unique opportunity to align with GEW's global theme, "Entrepreneurship is for Everybody". Sophia University showcased its efforts to a worldwide audience, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is accessible to everyone. This strong alignment with GEW’s international movement added an essential dimension to the event.
2. Leadership-Driven Launch
The event commenced with a speech by Sophia University President Yoshiaki Terumichi, highlighting the significance of this initiative as a new educational challenge for the university. As part of the "Sophia Future Design Platform (SFDP)," this project was developed over 18 months and launched under the president’s leadership, symbolizing a major step forward in the university’s educational mission.
3. Dialogue Between Alumni and Current Students
A "Dream Team" of five distinguished alumni—Mr. Murakami, Ms. Ishikawa, Ms. Hamada, Ms. Hirokawa, and Mr. Funabashi—joined the event to engage in direct dialogue with students. Through brief presentations and Q&A sessions, students gained insights from diverse career paths. The interactions extended beyond the formal program, resulting in a highly appreciated and inspiring experience.
4. Collaboration with Professional Studies Programs
On November 19th, the event partnered with the professional studies program for a special talk featuring former Sony President Mr. Ando. His lecture, "What I Learned from Akio Morita, Co-Founder of Sony", underscored the importance of collaboration between student and professional communities. The session left a deep impression on both students and professionals.
5. Co-Creation with Students
SEN actively incorporates students' constructive ideas and proposals, fostering a co-creative approach. Many students have expressed enthusiastic participation in SEN activities, paving the way for it to grow into a meaningful and practical learning platform.