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The University of Tokyo Global COE Chemistry Innovation through Cooperation of Science and Engineering
Greeting from the project leader
Chemistry Innovation through Cooperation of Science and Engineering
Project Leader: Prof. NAKAMURA, Eiichi
The charm of chemistry resides in the bilateral character of intensive study of what substances are and the creation of new substances, which is not found in other natural sciences. Further, it extends over cross-disciplinary areas from science to engineering, pharmacology, medicine, agriculture, and even industrial technology. In recent years, Japanese chemical research has reached the level to lead the world, and the chemical industry has become a driving force leading the Japanese economy along with the automobile industry. The Department of Chemistry in the School of Science and three Departments related to chemistry in the School of Engineering—all world-renowned—organized this COE project with the aim of gathering pools of wisdom from home and abroad and strengthening graduate-level chemistry education.
The chemistry-related Departments in the University of Tokyo dates back some 130 years, and has gone on to practice chemical innovation for many years by coordinating and fusing basic chemistry and applied chemistry, as shown by the accomplishments of Jokichi Takamine, a member of the inaugural class of the School of Engineering who discovered and commercialized taka-diastase and isolated adrenaline, and Kikunae Ikeda, a professor of the School of Science who taught physical chemistry and discovered "Ajinomoto" in 1908. This COE project aims at promoting advanced education and research through reaffirming this history.
There are almost 90 full professors, about 200 doctoral students and about 150 doctoral research fellows at the four departments. The project will implement high-level education and research activities through enhanced livelihood support and improved conditions for graduate students from home and abroad to allow them to fully concentrate on study and research. Further, it will concentrate the full potential of both professors and students, create new concepts on molecules and substances beyond conventional ones, and open up a "new horizon of science and technology" aiming at the solution of the challenges mankind is now facing. Through this project, we hope to cultivate scientists who can see the society and future, engineers excellent in seeking the truth, and young talents with rich international experience exceeding the bounds of chemistry.