About NAIST

Medium-term Goals

While the 20th century brought about significant advancement in scientific technology and major social changes, it also created a situation where even the existence of mankind is threatened by the deterioration of both the physical and spiritual environment caused by various human activities. In the 21st century, these issues need to be resolved, and universities must provide all-around education to students who will lead the new era and promote a diverse range of research. It is fundamental that the original and cutting-edge research results acquired at universities and well-trained human resources provide a positive contribution to the development of the society and the creation of culture. Therefore, the overall objectives of NAIST are defined as follows.

• Perform in-depth research in the core study areas of information, biological and materials sciences, while actively engaging in interdisciplinary studies to explore and seek solutions for issues in the most advanced areas.
• Actively address issues with strong social needs to deliver international-level research results that will help build a next-generation society.
• Foster students and staff who are highly motivated to work for the advancement of science and technology and are able to play leading roles in the international community through a systematic curriculum and research activities.
• Provide education to enable the acquisition of a good sense of ethics, broader views, logical thinking, positive leadership, fair judgment and articulateness with high linguistic capabilities.
• Return the benefits of the Institute’s research to the society by accumulating research results as an intellectual asset for mankind and promoting industry-government-academia collaboration.

Medium-term Plans

Research

In addition to research activities in the three core areas of Information Science, Biological Sciences and Materials Science, NAIST will promote research and planning activities, appropriate allocation of researchers and flexible allocation of research resources in order to deliver international-level research results that will help build a next-generation society through active engagement in interdisciplinary studies. The Institute will also establish a research support system by utilizing university-wide information networks, while constantly improving its research quality through self-check and evaluation, external evaluation and peer-review by its faculty members.

Education

In order to foster researchers, educators, specialists, human resources with the ability to apply research results with broad knowledge and creativity while engaging in research and development in new fields to meet the needs of society, NAIST will conduct entrance examinations which enable student selection with diverse viewpoints. The Institute will consistently provide high-level education in all areas including extraprofessional subjects and foreign languages, while taking various measures such as the strict evaluation of students’ academic performance and provision of student support.

Social Collaboration

NAIST will further establish the industry-government-academia research collaboration system including research activities funded by private corporations, strengthen its coordinating function for new business development and transfer of university seeds, and promote patent acquisitions and establishment of new businesses through the utilization of research results by faculty members and students. The Institute will also strive to improve the quality of its social collaboration through the establishment of a system for subjective evaluation of goal attainment and effective feedback.

International Activities

NAIST will enrich its foreign language courses, strengthen its support system to promote acceptance of international students and young researchers, improve its English publications including its website, and strive to make its educational and research activities known at home and abroad. The Institute will also sign exchange agreements with excellent educational and research institutions outside Japan and promote the exchange of researchers and students, while establishing a support system for hosting international conferences and symposiums.

Community Collaboration

NAIST will provide broader educational services by regularly conducting open lectures for the general public, trial day and “Open Campus” events for students and teachers, while strengthening its collaboration with the local community and promoting projects that benefit the community. The Institute will also accommodate working people studying at the Institute and prepare various educational programs such as an extended curriculum system.

In order to execute the above plans smoothly and flexibly, NAIST will establish a university-wide planning system with the Board of Directors playing the central role, carry out resource allocation to accommodate environmental, educational and research characteristics, and establish a personnel system based on fair performance evaluation. At the same time, the Institute will strengthen its administrative function as well as its research and educational support functions through the restructuring of its administrative organization.