Nagoya University

Nagoya University has a 144-year history, dating from when the Temporary　Medical School/Public Hospital -- the forerunner of today's Nagoya University -- was established in 1871. The University became the last Imperial University of Japan in 1939, and the educational reforms in 1949 led to the beginning of Nagoya University under the new education system. From that time to this day, the University has been pursuing steady development.

With its free and vibrant academic culture, which has been passed down since its foundation, Nagoya University has been stepping up efforts to achieve two fundamental objectives stated in the Nagoya University Academic Charter established in 2000: "Nagoya University, through creative research activity, shall pursue the truth and produce results of scholastic distinction on the international stage," and "Nagoya University, through an education that values initiative, shall cultivate courageous intellectuals endowed with powers of rational thought and creativity." Our ability in world-class research has been proved by the fact that 6 out of the 13 Japanese people being awarded with the Nobel Prize in the 21st century are our faculty members. Throughout its long history, Nagoya University has sent many people who have the potential to play a leading role in various fields of society out into the world, thus making a contribution to the development of Japan and the world.

With "contribution to society" as its major goal, Nagoya University's faculty members are exercising their ingenuity to foster "human resources matching social needs that change with the times" and "those able to play a leading role in a wide range of fields in society." We aim to cultivate talented people who can exercise strong leadership in a rapidly changing world with their great wisdom and reliable knowledge and skills.

While working to further strengthen research and educational abilities, Nagoya University is also making university-wide efforts in internationalization, gender equality, and social contribution. Regarding internationalization, Nagoya University has three perspectives:

The first perspective is a shift from a unilateral point of view focusing on the West to multiple points of view. In particular, the Asian region, in which Japan is located, has a huge potential to lead the world; and without cooperation and harmonious relationships with other Asian countries, Japan would have no future. Nagoya University has already expanded a number of projects to countries in Asia and other parts of the world and advanced in international collaboration year after year.

The second perspective is the revitalization of interactive human exchange. Nagoya University currently has approximately 2,200 overseas students, which accounts for 14 percent of an approximate 16,000 total students in the University. Meanwhile, the percentage of Japanese students who have studied abroad while enrolled at Nagoya University (regardless of the length of study) is also increasing every year. In this way, we are actively promoting interactive human exchange both "from the world to Nagoya University" and "from Nagoya University to the world," with the aim of cultivating talented people with a global perspective and developing a network for them.

The third perspective is the intensification of English-language education, which helps students internationalize themselves. While Nagoya University provides various kinds of English language programs for Japanese students, it also offers as many as 1,140 lecture courses in English. Further, the number of curricula that can be completed only in English is also on the rise. Nagoya University's campuses serve as a meeting ground for students and researchers in Japan and from around the world, where they can interact with one another on a daily basis.

Nagoya University is also actively engaged in promoting gender equality. To assist faculty members with children, the University has prepared not only nursery schools but also an after-school childcare center, putting it ahead of other national universities in Japan. We have also increased the employment and support of female researchers, which is attracting talented female researchers around Japan. Female faculty members actively participate in international exchange programs, and are highly valued by society. I believe their remarkable work will be a great force to support Japan's future.

Meanwhile, as a core university located in a region where the manufacturing industry is among the most advanced in Japan, Nagoya University receives high expectations from society. I think "contribution to local regions" and "internationalization" are not contradictory concepts but rather produce synergistic effects. In close cooperation with the nation, local governments, industry, academia, and citizens, Nagoya University is developing a wide range of partnership programs, with a view to creating a vital region for the future and promoting interaction with the world.  

Nagoya University is a future-oriented academic institution. There are no doubt many challenges and difficulties in our future, but I sincerely hope that our University members can step forward with courage and contribute, in cooperation with many different people in society, to the development of Japan and a world filled with liveliness and hope.

Seiichi Matsuo

President, Nagoya University