On March 16th, Chuo University (Hachioji City, Tokyo; Chancellor and President, Kazuyuki Nagai) concluded a comprehensive agreement with Nippon Medical School (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo; President, Takashi Tajiri). The agreement is intended to foster partnerships and cooperation in the areas of both education and research. The agreement will promote further mutual exchange between both universities. In addition to links in medicine, engineering and science, the linkage of medicine and law will also be advanced. The agreement is expected to further develop education and research at both universities.

On the 16th, a signing ceremony for the comprehensive agreement (fundamental agreement) was held on the Korakuen Campus of Chuo University. Many important individuals from each university attended the ceremony. Chancellor and President Nagai, Vice-Chairperson Nobuyuki Okubo of the Board of Regents, and Dean Yoichi Ishii of the Faculty of Engineering were in attendance from Chuo University. Also in attendance were President Tajiri of Nippon Medical School and President Shigenori Ikemoto of Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, a sister school of Nippon Medical School. Both Chancellor and President Nagai and President Tajiri signed and formally exchanged written agreements for cooperation in education and research.

Since moving to Tama in 1978, Chuo University has received cooperation from the Nippon Medical School Tama Nagayama Hospital. In addition to the deployment of physicians, the cooperation has extended to the nighttime medical system at the Tama campus and to health examinations for students. Also, both the Korakuen Campus (Faculty of Engineering, Chuo University) and Nippon Medical School are located in Bunkyo Ward. In the past, the two universities have engaged in research cooperation by holding two academic joint workshops under the theme of seeking partnerships in medicine and engineering.

The new agreement was conducted in order to further partnerships between both universities in the areas of education and research. The agreement is also intended to promote academic exchanges in relation to science and engineering as well as medicine, and to foster new developments.

Mutual use of each university's libraries will become possible in the immediate future. Plans are also being made for student exchange using a credit conversion system between the two universities. Other aspects of the agreement included exchange of researchers, science seminars focusing on junior high school and high school students, and exchanges with the Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Law School (located on the Ichigaya Campus) of Chuo University are particularly close to Nippon Medical School. This proximity will lead to the advancement of further partnerships.

A press conference was held after the agreement was concluded. At the conference, Chancellor and President Nagai introduced the following words from Yukichi Fukuzawa, who was a guest at the Chuo University founding ceremony that was held 125 years ago: “Law and medicine are extremely beneficial disciplines. Even just a day of study can be put to use.” Chancellor and President Nagai also expressed his personal expectations towards exchange with Nippon Medical School by making the following statement: “Chuo University has expanded under the philosophy that the life sciences are essential to a university.”

Also, President Tajiri of Nippon Medical School discussed how a life sciences department was established last spring in the Chuo University Faculty of Engineering. He cited that establishment as being the impetus for the current agreement. “I firmly believe that we will realize significant success that will benefit society,” emphasized President Tajiri.

(Editorial Office)