Tohoku University has groomed generations of leaders and supported them with innovative technology since its founding in 1907. Our research achievements led to us being one of the first three institutions to become a Designated National University in June 2017. To better prepare our students for professional life, we have launched the Tohoku University College of Creative Endeavor to offer practical orientation within the general education program. It will help students develop AI data skills, entrepreneurship and a global mindset. Tohoku University is known for its innovative research, and our next goal is to develop new academic fields and promote cross-disciplinary learning. We have pioneered research in disaster science and in next-generation medicine, and the new fields will be developed with the same world-renowned capabilities we have shown in researching materials science and spintronics. In response to the challenges the world is facing, we will further enhance our education and research activities, and also co-creation with industry, through a combination of real and virtual interactions.