Traditional, Focused on Social Contribution, and Education-Oriented Research University Founded in 1949, Kanazawa University (KU) has contributed to the Japanese higher education and academic research as the leading university on the Sea of Japan coast. The origin of KU is in Kaga Clan's Smallpox Vaccination Center established in 1862. With a proud history and tradition continuing over 150 years, KU has been attended by a large number of motivated students, who has received education to equip them with specialized knowledge and the ability to carry out high-level research, as well as cosmopolitan point-of-view and ethical perspective. KU’s tradition of regional partnership and the academic structure of 3 Colleges and 17 Schools place Kanazawa University faculty and student in the ideal atmosphere to pursue the university charter to be “a research university dedicated to education, while opening up its doors to both local and global society.” Located in Kanazawa, a city rich in history and traditional culture, KU has cultivated a respected intellectual profile since the time of the Kaga domain (1598-1867). Lively interaction among the students, communication with the faculty, staff and local community make the city a perfect venue for the students’ personal growth and development. Academics At KU, undergraduate students can choose a course from 3 Colleges and 17 Schools. In the 3 Colleges — College of Human and Social Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, and College of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences — there are Schools as the main units of education. Flexibility of this 3 Collages 17 Schools structure allows students addressing the broad range of challenges in nurturing the human resources sought by the modern society and is committed to building a "university for the students." The academic structure of 3 Colleges 17 Schools has major distinguishing features compared to the traditional universities. One major feature of the College of Human and Social Sciences and the College of Science and Engineering is the adoption of a system in which students can choose a field of specialization after entering the university. Until now the field of study had to be decided upon enrollment at the university, but under this system students can choose their field of interest while undertaking the basic studies. Another feature is the major/minor system. This system allows students to participate in various courses corresponding to their future career. It provides opportunity to take additional classes related to the respective career plan of students, even for those who study in a fixed course at the College of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health Sciences. This fresh educational platform is functioning well to cultivate awareness in these students of what it means to be a medical professional, especially about the collaboration between medical specialists and the importance of team medicine. Education KU shall accept motivated students with various talents and competencies, giving consideration to collaboration with various educational institutes, recurrent education for adults, and education for international students, and lifelong learning. The university will implement a quality educational program with clearly defined objectives at both undergraduate and graduate levels. KU shall respect the individuality of students as well as their right to learn, having self-study as the basis of education. Organized faculty development activities geared towards educational reform will be enhanced in order to foster the ability to acquire specialized knowledge and the capability to pursue problems. Furthermore, our faculty members are adaptable to international society, are of high moral character, and have personalities rich in human qualities. Research KU shall endeavor to cultivate the intellect of students in all of its forms — from that required for fundamental research dealing with the pursuit of truth, to that required for practical research directly connected to technology. The university shall thus actively contribute to society by opening up new academic fields and by promoting the transfer of technology and the creation of new industry. KU shall provide its members with an environment suitable for carrying out research, independently guaranteeing academic freedom and healthy competition, regardless of the field of study, i.e. whether it be humanities, social sciences, natural sciences or medicine, and regardless of the type of research, i.e. whether it be fundamental or applied research. Furthermore, the university shall promote prospective research and train young researchers, thereby maintaining a structure capable of challenging the status quo at all times, and bringing out its own distinct characteristics. Social Contribution KU shall use its resources to promote the development of academic culture and lay the foundations for the educational, medical and welfare systems of the region. Serving as a stronghold of intellect in East Asia, it shall continue to disseminate information to the globalizing world. KU shall fulfill its responsibility as “a research university dedicated to education, open to both the local and global community”, by extending student education from the pre-entrance to post-graduation period, by utilizing and managing intellectual property resulting from academic research to actively contribute to society, and by promoting the development and popularization of advanced medical services. Administration KU shall apply an autonomous and self-reliant administrative policy, and all departments shall work organically with each other, while developing their own characteristics based on their respective specialties and roles. Moreover, the University shall evaluate the extent to which plans have been carried out, and implement constant reforms including revision of the organization and its systems. KU shall utilize grants from the government and funds raised independently in a judicious and systematic manner. The University, while paying respect to human rights, will provide its members with a secure environment suitable for devotion to their duties. Furthermore, as a National University Corporation serving the public, it shall fulfill its duties in the area of social accountability.