Message from the President As the president of Kobe University, one of the oldest and leading universities in Japan, let me extend to you a warm welcome. Kobe University was founded in the international city of Kobe in 1902. Since the inception 110 years ago, Kobe University has been vigorously pursuing academic endeavor in the exploration and practice of novel theories under the spirit of integrity, freedom, and cooperation. We have always been committed to the creation of knowledge, scientific research and technology in a broad range of fields from humanities and human sciences, social sciences, natural sciences to bio-medical sciences. Fostering future leaders who possess rich understanding and communication skills has also been one of our goals. In the course of our quest for academic excellence, many of our research areas have gained considerable recognition worldwide as the “core research FUKUDA Hideki areas” of Kobe University, and the number is increasing on an ongoing basis. President, Kobe University Most of them are also on the path of becoming a “center of excellence”. In April 2011, we established an Integrated Research Center on Port Island next to the K computer, the high performance computer with exceptional computational ability. The Center, currently housing 10 projects, is expected to develop innovative flagship research and the fostering of human resources with entrepreneurial minds through industry-university-government collaboration. With an increasing number of researchers gathering here from around the world, Kobe University is placing a focus on ways to strengthen ties with international partners for a common value. The two overseas offices, located in the heart of China (Beijing) and the EU (Brussels), play a major role in facilitating such global partnerships. In regards to education, students are given ample opportunities to obtain advanced expertise and a wealth of knowledge through the ever progressing distinctive education programs. Among the 16,558 students pursuing their studies here, there are 1,132 international students from 77 countries and regions. Many of the alumni, both Japanese and International, are active in a vast array of fields within and outside of Japan. I extend an invitation to all students, researchers, public and private sectors, as well as to all persons and organizations interested in studying at or collaborating with Kobe University. Sincerely, In November 2006, the University established the Kobe University Vision 2015. The Vision represents Kobe University’s commitment to achieve Global Excellence in research, education, its contribution to society, and university management system by the year 2015. Toward Global Excellence in Research and Education KOBE UNIVERSITY VISION 2015 Kobe University, working in a spirit of integrity, freedom, and cooperation in Kobe University Mission Statement keeping with its open and cosmopolitan culture and environs, is committed to Kobe University, working in a spirit of integrity, freedom, and cooperation in achieving Global Excellence by 2015. keeping with its open and cosmopolitan culture and environs, aims to contribute to Excellence in Research the global community through the creation of knowledge founded on universal Kobe University strives to achieve continuing international recognition as an values and the fostering of rich understanding and strong leadership skills. institution for its outstanding work in designated core research areas founded on traditional disciplines and incorporating newly created inter-disciplinary initiatives. Excellence in Education Kobe University, in keeping with its Charter on Education and through its outstanding educational program, strives to achieve international recognition as an institution of higher learning, fostering individuals with deep insight, global perspective, rich understanding and strong leadership skills. Excellence in its Contribution to Society Kobe University strives to achieve local and international recognition for its contribution to society through the dissemination of research findings, provision of highly qualified human resources working globally in a wide range of fields, and the promotion of advanced medical and therapeutic technology. Excellence in University Management Kobe University strives, through the realization of the Kobe University Vision 2015, to ensure that all members of the university community have opportunities for self-fulfillment and to respond to the expectations of its stakeholders. Kobe University Vision 2015 will be realized through the following three phases. Phase I: Change (2006-2009), Phase II: Challenge (2010-2012), Phase III: Excel (2013-2015). Global Excellence will be accomplished through the achievement of specific goals for each phase. For more details of the Vision, please visit our web site. (http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/about-kobe-university/mission-vision/index.htm) 1 110 Years of History 03 Feature Story 04 Organization Chart for Education and Research Integrated Research Center 05 Distinctive Education and Research Programs 06 Letters/Humanities 07 Intercultural Studies 09 Human Development / Human Development and Environment 11 Law 13 Economics 15 Business Administration 17 Science 19 Medicine 21 Health Sciences 23 Engineering 25 System Informatics 27 Agriculture / Agricultural Science 29 Maritime Sciences 31 Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies 33 Organization of Advanced Science and Technology 35 Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration 37 University Libraries 38 University Hospital 39 Institute for Promotion of Higher Education (College of General Education) & Common-use Facilities 40 Common-use Facilities 41 Medical Center for Student Health & International Residence 43 EU Institute in Japan, Kansai 44 Overseas Offices 45 International Activities 46 Statistics 47 Academic Exchange Agreements 49 Access 53 2 110 Years of History Years 110 110 Years of History 110th Anniversary Ceremony On 15 May 2012, Kobe University celebrated the 110th anniversary of its foundation. The ceremony was attended by over 600 guests from various industries and universities including alumni and professors emeriti. Congratulatory addresses and commemorative lectures were presented by academics, Nobel Laureates and offi cials from the government and industry. A video message arrived from Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, stating his hopes in seeing an even more accelerated pursuit of academic exchanges with European universities and institutes under Kobe University’s leadership. The current and former presidents of Kobe University From right, President FUKUDA Hideki, former president NIINO Kojiro, former president NOGAMI Tomoyuki Special Guests (From left: Mr. TOKIWA Yutaka, Deputy Director-General of MEXT; Governor IDO Toshizo of Hyogo Pref.; Prof. KOBAYASHI Makoto, recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics; Mr. Rudie Filon, Counsellor, Head of Press and Cultural Affairs of the Delegation of the European Union Video message from the President of the European Council to Japan; and Mr. NAKAMURA Saburo Deputy Mayor of Kobe City) Special lecture by Mr. MIKITANI Hiroshi, Nobel laureates (Left: Prof. KOBAYASHI Makoto, Special lecture by Prof. Luc Montagnier, recipient of the CEO of Rakuten Inc. right: Prof. Luc Montagnier) 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 3 Feature Story Feature StoryFeature Congratulations on the 110th Anniversary of Kobe University Dr. SOUMA Yoshie Special Advisor to the President Kobe University The anniversary ceremony was a heartwarming event for me. I am awarded to Dr. Marie Curie. The 23 recipients represented 16 grateful to have had a chance to share such a happy moment with countries, including the 2009 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry teachers and schoolmates from the old days. Looking back on the from Israel, Dr. Ada E. Yonath, H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol ten years since the centennial, the major change in my opinion is of Thailand, and to my greatest surprise, me representing Japan. It the greater recognition of gender equality on campus. I was asked was indeed a great honor to be ranked among the greatest women to return to Kobe University in 2007 to be a special adviser to the in chemistry from around the world. President for the promotion of gender equality. The same year, Kobe University Gender Equality Offi ce was established under the Although winning awards is not the goal of research, I hope it gives leadership of Professor HOUNOKI Kaoru. Since then, the Offi ce has aspiring women researchers the momentum they need to pursue actively supported female researcher appointments by promoting a career in their fi eld of research. In the years to come, I sincerely Positive Action programs with an aim to “increase the number of hope that more female researchers will be playing important roles female faculty employed to 30%.” at Kobe University in furthering its recognition as a fi rst-class academic and research institution in the world. The promotion of female scientists in Japan has been nationally advocated under a government initiative since 2006. International societies have also been encouraging female scientists by publicly recognizing their achievements and presenting them with such award as the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. Among the awards given last year was the Distinguished Women in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Award given to 23 women from around the world by the International Union of Pure Dr. SOUMA received