So Kazama

Head of the Division for Academia-Industry Collaborating Graduate Programs

Tohoku University has provided education and social contributions that come from the world’s most advanced research under the ideas of “Research First” , ”Open Door” , and “Practice Oriented Research and Education”. Our university received the Designated National University title from the Japanese Government in June 2017, and started a new phase, aiming at “continuous of creation of knowledge through prominent education and research” that will “lead innovation in society and the economy”.

Recently in graduate school education, “losing PhD students” is a serious problem for Japanese universities’ international competitiveness amidst drastic and rapid economic and social changes. In this situation, we are required to foster excellent PhD students who lead all sectors such as universities, research institutes, private enterprises and public organizations, and possess vision, creativity, and advanced expertise, that will enable them to innovate and lead the business world. To foster such talented PhD students, we established “the Division of Academia-Industry Collaborating Graduate Programs” under “the Institute for Promoting Graduate Degree Programs” in April 2018.

“The Division of Academia-Industry Collaborating Graduate Programs” is an organization which aims to nurture talented PhD students who can solve social problems and make social innovations along with leading the creation and application of knowledge, and lead value creation in the next generation.

We will perform quality assurance and management of educational programs spanning the whole university, and plan, implement, and support these educational programs by collaborating with companies and research institutes domestically and abroad in cooperation with related departments. I sincerely ask for the understanding and cooperation of all participants.