Social contribution through an interdisciplinary and pragmatic university model : Innovation, convergence, challenge, and proposals for a new university role

The purpose of this session is to share experiences regarding the Late Specialization implemented by the Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education and the Institute for the Advancement of Graduate Education at Hokkaido University and the SNU College at Seoul National University (hereafter, "both universities"). We will also discuss the role of interdisciplinary and pragmatic universities in contributing to the resolution of societal issues.
Late Specialization refers to a system where students choose their specialization after completing a certain curriculum upon university admission. Hokkaido University introduced this system in 2011, admitting approximately 1,000 students annually, which accounts for about half of its total incoming class. Also, March 1, 2025, SNU College was launched as a platform leading the university’s educational innovation. SNU College to help students design their own major areas and to reshape educational paradigms across both curricular and extracurricular domains. One notable characteristic of both universities, compared to others, is the wide range of specializations available for students to choose from. Through this program, the two institutions are becoming the subjects of university education innovation.