Message from President Kazuhiro Shiozaki

The Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), founded in 1991, is Japan's newest national university. As a distinctive institution focused on cutting-edge research and postgraduate education, NAIST has been innovating in scientific and technological research and in the training of researchers and highly skilled professionals. In an era of rapid change, the university's pioneering spirit, flexibility, and rich diversity drive its relentless pursuit of new frontiers.

Student diversity advances research

NAIST is home to students from a variety of universities and technical colleges, working adults, and international students from ~50 countries and regions worldwide. In such an international atmosphere, you are constantly exposed to different cultures and values, which naturally broaden your horizons. Different perspectives meet on our campus, giving rise to new ideas and innovations. This environment rich in diversity makes NAIST a place to create and study cutting-edge science and technology.

Converged disciplines in one graduate school

No single academic discipline can provide solutions to any social issues; convergent wisdom from multiple fields of study is required. In 2018, NAIST merged its three graduate schools to break down conventional disciplinary barriers. In addition to the primary programs in Information Science, Biological Science, and Materials Science, we have developed interdisciplinary programs such as Data Science. It is a part of our endeavor to establish a new educational framework to address increasingly complex social challenges. NAIST also offers GEIOT, an entrepreneurial course that discusses how to identify social issues and develop business plans to address them using technology. In GEIOT, students with different expertise form teams and collaborate to create new value, and some have established startups. Working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds on team projects is a significant experience, as it provides an opportunity to examine one's research project from varied perspectives.

Students and professors are collaborators

Nobody has seen the true "cutting edge" that has yet to be reached, including professors. Discoveries are made through collaboration between students and professors who work together and rejoice in the outcome. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just six, NAIST's highly personalized education system enables in-depth discussion and research guidance.
Another strength of NAIST is its student career support. Our experienced staff and visiting professors, who have corporate backgrounds, work together to interview students about their individual plans and interests, helping them choose from a wide range of careers. Not only our master's degree graduates but also the majority of our doctoral graduates are active in companies and government agencies, pursuing career paths that transcend conventional boundaries.

Transformation into a university of the near future

Japan has entered an era of declining population, a trend that is expected to be followed by many other countries. NAIST is changing the way research is conducted, aiming to set an example for the future of research universities in a society with a declining population. Systems that automate and autonomously conduct experiments using AI and robotics can operate 24 hours a day and generate vast amounts of data. Although the experimental conditions proposed by AI may differ significantly from what researchers consider common sense, they can lead to unexpected success. NAIST has also introduced electronic laboratory notebooks that digitize experimental records and automatically aggregate data. We are establishing a cycle in which AI analyzes the aggregated data to improve its utilization. The latest experimental equipment is available for shared use at NAIST. The entire campus is connected by a high-speed computer network called the "Mandara System," which enables the sharing of experimental results across laboratories and encourages interaction among researchers from different disciplines.
Moreover, NAIST's research activities are fostering a new model of open innovation that is deeply connected to the local community and society. We are expanding our research and educational collaborations with research institutions, companies, and startups located in Keihanna Science City, as well as with universities overseas.

Outgrow your limits

Postgraduate degrees, especially PhDs, demonstrate an ability to independently pursue further learning. Today, science and technology are rapidly evolving. An attitude of seeking new knowledge and repeatedly taking on challenges is key to pioneering new frontiers. In addition, research activities require a variety of skills and abilities, often referred to as "transferable skills," including problem identification, logical thinking, and communication. NAIST research labs serve as an excellent platform for developing these transferable skills. The skills you develop here can be applied in diverse contexts; it is up to you what you will explore in your career using those skills. Through your research and diverse encounters you make at NAIST, you will discover your potential and "outgrow your limits" to shape your future.

April, 2026
Kazuhiro SHIOZAKI, President