Q: At a time when national universities are going to be changed into independent administrative institutions, and when the campuses of Kyushu University will be relocated, how do you view the future of Kyushu University? A: Many people have expressed their sympathies to me upon my becoming the president at such a difficult time. However, I believe this is a golden opportunity for university reform. We will be able to start all the new projects necessary for an independent administrative institution at the new campus. It is obvious that Kyushu University must provide good education and conduct good research regardless of the fields of study. In addition to that, it will be more and more important in the future for the university to take some form of social action and to convey its knowledge to society as a whole. Q: At the 2001 Conference of Asian University Presidents held in October, Kyushu University decided to establish Network Points for its partner universities. What are your views on international relations?

A: Needless to say, we should promote international exchange with other universities. More than anything else, this exchange needs to be carried out through the steady efforts of faculty members. When a particular faculty member's research is highly regarded, this should result in excellent students and researchers from overseas being willing to collaborate ideas at Kyushu University. I believe the university needs to form a system supporting each faculty member's activities in the area of international exchange. The results of the recent Conference will develop the exchange by individual faculty members into international exchange at the organizational level. Q: Do you have any messages for the students? A: I would like to say, "just study a lot." By this I don't only mean studying in their particular fields, but I also mean studying about the realities of life and interaction or relationships between people. Studying at Kyushu University cannot be combined with spending time engaged in part-time jobs, etc. As in the saying "strike while the iron is hot," students should study while at Kyushu University.

Dr. Kajiyama (center) at Massachusetts Tisato Kajiyama President, Kyushu University Born in 1940 Academic Degrees B.S. Kyushu University, 1964 (Polymer Chemistry) M.S. Kyushu University, 1966 (Polymer Chemistry) Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, 1969 (Polymer Physics) D.Eng. Kyushu University, 1975 (Polymer Chemistry) Faculty Positions Research Associate, University of Massachusetts, 1969-70 Assistant Professor of Polymer Chemistry, Kyushu University, 1970-75 Associate Professor of Polymer Chemistry, Kyushu University, 1975-1984 Associate Professor (part-time), Saga University, 1976-80 Professor of Polymer Chemistry, Kyushu University, 1984-1999 Professor of Materials Physics & Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 1999- Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 2000-2001 President of Kyushu University, 2001- Awards Elected to Fellowship in the Society of Polymer Science, Japan, 1970 Polymer Science Award, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan, 1978 Fiber Science Award, The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, 1983 The Divisional Award of The Chemical Society of Japan, 1991 Chancellor's Medal, The University of Massachusetts, 1991 The Society of Rheology, Japan Award for 1998 Professional Societies The Chemical Society of Japan The Society of Polymer Science, Japan The Society of Rheology, Japan The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan Japan Membrane Society Japan Society for Biomaterials The Society of Chemical Engineering, Japan The Medical and Engineering Society American Chemical Society American Physical Society The Materials Research Society-Japan International Liquid Crystal Society Materials Research Society