Photo Credit: Clauxz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The upward trajectory of globalization poses a new set of challenges for innovation. Tohoku University in Japan leads the way in ensuring the academe and the global community of its research-first value. With a sufficient understanding of the changing world, it opens the door for a diverse set of contributors in various fields.
Table of Contents
- Tracing its venerable past
- Inside the Tohoku University and the opportunities for foreign students
- Campus life at Tohoku University
- Summary
Tracing its venerable past
So what do you need to know about the number one ranked university in Japan?
History of Tohoku University
Tohoku University is the third imperial university of Japan, and the majority of its facilities were built inside the castle of Masamune Date of Sendai constructed in 1602. In modern times, Sendai City houses four campuses of Tohoku University. One of those is the Aobayama campus that also houses the Tohoku University Botanical garden.
Tohoku University, formerly known as Tohoku Imperial University, has strived for global competitiveness since its establishment in 1907. Eight of its founding professors were researchers sent by the Japanese Ministry of Education to Europe with the sole purpose of collecting wisdom, materials, and equipment for the development of the university. Upon their return, they conducted groundbreaking research that received global recognition. This academic approach became the university’s culture of pursuance of knowledge that benefits the whole world. And this culture developed Tohoku University to be one of the leading research universities in Japan.
※ Tohoku University, "History"
Core values of Tohoku University
When Masataro Sawayanagi took the university’s first presidency in 1911, he imparted the three core principles: Open Doors, Research First, and Practice-Oriented Research and Education. At that time, the Open Doors policy aims to offer open educational opportunities to everyone without discrimination; he opened the university’s doors for the poor and women. At the same time, the Research First and Practice-Oriented Research and Education aim to provide excellent research and education that will benefit society. These three core principles are still the pillars of every program and activity of Tohoku University.
The number one university in Japan
Tohoku University is the number one university in Japan this year. With its high ratings in research output categories in the ranking, Tohoku University is also in the top 300 universities in the whole world. It also gets high ratings in criteria such as engagement, environment, and resources. Also, the university only has an average of 8.3 students associated with every staff. Tohoku University also accommodates foreign students with 12 percent of its full student capacity. Thus it’s a great option if you’re thinking about going to a competitive university in Japan!
※ The World University Rankings, "Tohoku University"
Writer's Pick
Inside the Tohoku University and the opportunities for foreign students
The academe of Tohoku University
Inside the well preserved and historical city of Sendai, the Tohoku University houses ten undergraduate schools, 19 graduate schools, 12 research centers, and a university hospital. Undergraduate courses are offered by the Faculty of Arts and Letters, School of Education, School of Law, School of Economics, School of Medicine, School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Agriculture, and School of Agriculture. Aside from the courses offered by the ten graduate school counterpart of the undergraduate schools above, the university also offers different courses in these graduate schools:
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School of International Cultural Studies
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School of Information Sciences
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School of Life Sciences
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School of Environmental Sciences
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School of Biomedical Engineering
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School of Educational Informatics Educational Division
There are several courses offered in each school and faculties that are being taught in English and are available to both local and foreign students, which we will discuss further in the article.
There are currently more than 18,000 students in which more than 2,000 are foreign students coming from 90 countries around the globe. There are several courses, both in undergraduate and graduate schools, that are offered in English.
※ Tohoku University, "Exchange and Summer Programs"
Courses offered in English that accommodates international students
The traditional courses offered by the Tohoku University usually start in April while several in English start in October. Under the Future Global Leaders (FGL) program, the university offers three undergraduate courses in English which are:
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Advanced Molecular Chemistry Course (AMC) under the school of Science,
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International Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Course Undergraduate (IMACU) under the School of Engineering, and
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Applied Marine Biology Course (AMB) under the School of Agriculture.
The program aims to nurture students who aim to become global leaders by offering these programs with the latest cutting-edge research.
The university also offers 21 graduate courses in the English language, so if you’re looking for a graduate school program in Japan, this may be the school for you!. Many of these programs are crossing different fields that offer both masters and doctorate degrees. These programs are the following:
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International Graduate Program for Advanced Science (IGPAS),
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International Post-Graduate Program in Human Security (IPHS),
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Cross-National Master's Course (CNMC) and Cross-National Doctor's Course (CNDC) of Law and Politics,
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International Environmental Leadership Program (IELP),
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International Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Course Graduate Course (IMAC-G),
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International Materials Science and Engineering Master Course (IMSE),
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International Robotics Program (IRP), Data Sciences Program II (DSP II),
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International Biomechanics Program (IBP),
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International Civil and Environmental Engineering (I-CEEC), and others.
Unlike the undergraduate courses, 10 of the graduate courses offered in English admits students in both April and October enrollment schedules.
Tohoku University as a member of Top Global University Project
Tohoku University lives up to its motto, “Creating Global Excellence,” as it is one of the currently thirteen universities in Japan participating in the Top Global University Program of the Japanese Government. The universities included in the program are funded by the government to formulate and offer English programs to attract international students. The fundings included financial support for foreign students.
Admissions
For aspiring international students, there are two ways of entering the university:
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To enroll in Japanese courses.
Aspiring applicants for the traditional courses must take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) in June or November of the year before the application; this examination screens the applicants' Japanese language proficiency and academic abilities.
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To apply for the programs offered under FGL.
For the courses under FGL aspiring applicants, they must have excellent English proficiency and high academic attainment in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry in any international standardized examinations. For graduate students, one must first look for a prospective advisor and get his/her approval before the applicant undergoes admission.
Tohoku University collects fees for application, admission, and tuition fee from students. Undergraduate applicants pay 17,000 yen while graduate applicants pay 30,000 yen. Once the applicants are admitted, both undergraduate and graduate students will pay a 282,000 yen admission fee and a 535,800 yen annual tuition fee. Foreign students can avail themselves of scholarships and financial assistance.
※ Tohoku University, "Fees & Expenses"
Campus life at Tohoku University
Tohoku University has 4 main campuses, most of them relatively close to each other in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.
Tohoku University has six housing facilities available for local and international university students, faculties, researchers, and three housing facilities exclusively for international constituents. Yet, every university facility requires 10-15 minutes of walking and biking to arrive between campuses. Each campus also has facilities for extracurricular activities and even for leisure and recreational activities. There are 47 sports clubs that you can choose from, such as ball games (basketball, volleyball and baseball), martial arts (judo, sumo and karate), water-based sports (rowing and sailing) and even track and field. Aside from its sports clubs it also has 24 cultural clubs such as Hougaku (Traditional Japanese Instruments), Nohgaku (Japanese Opera), Rakugo (Japanese Storytelling), Shogi (Japanese chess) and Sado (Tea Ceremony) that have their respective facilities for their events.
※ Tohoku University, "Map & Directions"
※ Tohoku University, "Clubs & Circles"
Facilities open for the public use
The university houses seven museums namely Tohoku University Archives, Tohoku University Museum, Automobile Museum, Nishizawa Memorial Room, Honda Memorial Room, Lu Xun Lecture Hall, and Cyber Science Center Exhibition. These facilities are open for public use with their respective policies and entrance regulations. Moreover, Tohoku University is proud of one of its public facilities, the Tohoku University Botanical Garden. On the Aobayama mountains, the garden was established with the 400-year preserved forest with breathtaking views.
International Support Office
This office guides international students and researchers before their boarding, during their stay, and for their departure in the university. They give assistance for their accommodation, for their adjustments to the university’s lifestyle, and even in their academic and financial difficulties.
Summary
Tohoku University established its name through global excellence in research. It also opened its doors to international students and researches as a member of the Top Global University program. It truly is a good opportunity for research enthusiasts to start their academic career and can be a gateway to a better life in Japan.
