SHIFT TO A NEW ERAAfter nearly 100 years, Kyushu University is taking a step toward a new era
Fukuoka: Historical Gateway to Asia Kyushu University is located in Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu island, with a population of about 1,300,000. Fukuoka has developed relations with Asian countries since ancient times. In 1784, a Fukuoka farmer accidentally unearthed a small gold seal. It turns out the seal was originally given to a local lord by the Chinese Emperor Guang Wu of the late Han Dynasty in the year 57 A.D. In addition, during the 7th century, the Imperial Court established a branch in Fukuoka at a place called Dazaifu and Fukuoka subsequently developed as a gateway of culture and trade throughout the Samurai era. At present, as well, Fukuoka is widely regarded as a gateway to China, Korea and eastern Asia.
One of the 7 Leading Universities Kyushu University is a national university which started its history in 1903 as Fukuoka Medical College. With the addition of an engineering college in 1911, Kyushu Imperial University -- one of only seven universities to bear the Imperial designation -- was born.
At present Kyushu University comprises ten faculties, fourteen graduate schools, three research institutes, the Institute of Language and Cultures, the School of Health Sciences, twenty-one academic centers, and the University Forest, Farm, and Hospital ( the largest of any Japanese national university). As of January 1999, Kyushu University had 2,274 faculty members, 11,110 undergraduate students and 4,996 graduate students.
Constructing a New Academic Community
In the beginning of the 21st century, Kyushu University celebrates its 100th anniversary. Kyudai, as it is affectionately known, is in the midst of reforming in a number of ways aiming to grow as a world-renowned research university.
In 1991, the University Council decided to move two of four major campuses to the Moto-oka area, a western suburb of Fukuoka City. From 1999, preparations of the new land start. To determine the site for the new campus, Kyushu University has engaged in substantial consultations with the Fukuoka City government and the inhabitants of Moto-oka, in addition to investigations into the vegetation and water conditions around Moto-oka.
Moto-oka is located in 15 km west of the center of Fukuoka City. The new campus covers 275 hectare of hilly landscape, nearly half of which will remain in its green, naturl condition -- as well as historical property, such as ancient tombs and the ruins of a castle.
Kyushu University is grappling with the challenges presented by the development of Moto-oka and cooperating with the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Economic Federation ( an economic group made up of about 1,200 corporations from the Kyushu area), Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City and other relevant authorities. Kyushu University is giving careful consideration into the environment and cooperating with specialists on environmental matters. Thus, the construction of our University's new home proceeds with both new concepts and technology suitable for the 21st century.
- PHOTO
- Dazaifu shrine, established in 919 A.D. On the first three days of the new year, more than 2 million people visit to pray to the god of scholarship.
- The Fukuoka Dome, home of baseball's Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and related hotel, branches of a large enterprise in the Momochi area.
- An artist's conception of the new campus, personally created by one of Kyusyu University's faculty.
