The Presidential Selection Process in Kyoto University

At Kyoto University, the presidential selection process proceeds as follows:

Internal Preliminary Voting

A preliminary vote is held in which some full-time faculty and staff members within the university have the right to vote and write down the name of one qualified person they believe to be suitable to be president.

Selection by the Presidential Selection and Supervision Committee (First Stage)

Based on the results of the internal preliminary vote, six presidential candidates are selected.

Intention Survey (June 15th)

Some faculty members within the university have the right to vote and write down the name of one qualified person they believe to be suitable to be president.

Further Intention Survey

This may be conducted depending on the results of the intention survey.

Selection by the Presidential Selection and Supervision Committee (Second Stage)

Based on the results of the intention survey and further intention survey, the next president is formally decided at this stage.

Voting Results Are Not Always Directly Reflected

Voting by faculty members is, more accurately, a "survey of intentions," and the results here are not necessarily directly reflected in the selection process. The final decision rests with the Presidential Selection and Supervision Committee.

Eligible Candidates are Limited

At the previous Presidential Selection Committee meeting, it was determined that individuals with management experience, such as department heads, were desirable for the presidency. Such faculty members often reach retirement age and are employed as "special professors," etc. On the other hand, faculty and staff on fixed-term contracts are excluded from eligibility, effectively excluding many suitable candidates.

Students and Graduate Students Are Left Out

Students and graduate students are also key members of Kyoto University, but they have no opportunity to have their opinions heard or to have their intentions reflected in the presidential selection process.