Message (Okayama University URA)
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Yasutomo NASU, M.D., Ph.D. President of Okayama University |
| The “Implementation Plan for National University Reform” presented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has set out measures to narrow down the number of “research universities” that can compete on the world stage in order to form universities and research centers that solve global issues. In order to clarify Okayama University’s position as a research university, Okayama University aims to actively present international academic results, build large-scale project research grand designs, and promote research activities that leave results that will generate innovation, and to gain a global reputation as a “research university: Okayama University”. In the future, we intend to enhance our research-related advanced management personnel and specialized organizations that can lead the planning aspects, such as proposing large-scale project research on issues that society is paying attention to and analyzing trends of funding agencies. The URA is directly led by the president, who is also the head of the corporation, in order to strategically promote the revitalization of research. In the future, Okayama University will play a number of important roles in securing a solid position as a research university and promoting further contributions to society. In order to achieve our clear goal of becoming a “Research University,” we appreciate your continued understanding and cooperation in the operation of the URA. |
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Norito SATOH, Ph.D. |
| Senior Research Administrator Generally, URAs are often used to support administrative tasks related to research management. However, the URA at Okayama University is quite different. Before the establishment of URAs, Okayama University had been deploying and operating support personnel such as intellectual property producers, industry-academia-government coordinators, and research management administrative staff. In this context, the role of URAs at Okayama University can be summed up in one word: “Research University: the driving force behind Okayama University.” While maintaining the diversity of research at a core comprehensive university, they are the driving force behind developing research areas that are strong and distinctive, and producing results that have an impact on society. In addition, as a brain for the president and other executives, they make recommendations to promote research at Okayama University, and are strongly involved in the research policies that the executives should take. Thus, URAs at Okayama University sometimes have the ability to participate in the university’s research policies as executives, and sometimes act as brains that strategically manage research for each individual researcher, performing many important administrative tasks in the university’s research aspects. In the future, the operation of the URA at Okayama University will require the cooperation of many people. We would appreciate your cooperation and support in realizing Okayama University as a “Research University.” |
