Since its foundation in 1902, Kobe University has encouraged an enterprising spirit and independent thinking among all its faculty, students and staff. While upholding its traditions, the University is committed to the creation of knowledge and new values through interdisciplinary approaches, and to solving the issues facing our society. Kobe University vigorously pursues academic endeavor in the exploration and practice of novel theories under the spirit of "integrity, freedom, and cooperation". As one of the most comprehensive universities in Japan, with departments covering the humanities, social, natural, and biomedical sciences, Kobe University promotes academic innovation in collaboration with other universities, research institutes, and industries in Japan and abroad. The Organization for Advanced and Integrated Research of Kobe University serves as a core structure for the pursuit of cutting-edge research, encompassing 29 research projects across a wide range of disciplines. With more and more researchers gathering here from around the world, Kobe University is focusing on ways to strengthen ties with international partners who share our values. As of today, we have over 350 exchange agreements with foreign institutions, and our nine overseas offices, located across four continents, play a major role in facilitating such global partnerships. 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of our Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration, where researchers now pioneer the digitization of pre-modern manuscripts. Last year we also established three centers to enhance multidisciplinary activities for our flagship projects: the Research Center for Membrane and Film Technology (formerly part of the Graduate School of Engineering), the Center for Maritime Education and Research, and the Center for Advanced Medical Engineering Research & Development. In 2020, we have established the SDGs Promotion Office to enable us to contribute our expertise in education and research towards the achievement of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We also set up Kobe University Value School, which aims to develop value creation strategies to provide new technologies and services that meet the needs of future society. With these new organizations and initiatives the University aims to provide solutions to the challenges facing our changing world.