Home / About us / Kanazawa University

Kanazawa University

Center for the Creation of Knowledge through the Fusion of Knowledge
Kanazawa University as the Stronghold of Intellect in East Asia

The origin of Kanazawa University dates back to a smallpox vaccination center established by the Kaga Domain in 1862. We have a history of 150 years in Kanazawa. Succeeding the history and tradition of multiple predecessors, the university was established in 1949.

Today, we are comprised of 3 colleges and 17 schools, 7 graduate schools, 1 United Graduate School, University Hospital, Cancer Research Institute and other sectors. The enrollment is over 10,100, and students come not only from the Hokuriku prefectures of Ishikawa, Fukui, Toyama but also from 42 nations including China, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Approximately 630 international students study here in pursuit of their goals. We tackle the various problems of today’s society and believe in the mission to create knowledge and train personnel to solve these problems.

In 2018, we instituted “YAMAZAKI PLAN 2018” succeeding the Plans in 2014 and 2016. The university, with its status as “a research university dedicated to education, while opening up its doors to both local and global society,” set the goals to educate leaders of the global society and to form a world-class research base, as well as to carry out reforms through university-wide effort in 6 years starting from 2014. Under the concept of “Precursor, Coexistence, and Creation,” we will strive to realize “Kanazawa University with Global Prestige.”

There is charm in the university being located in Kanazawa, a historical and cultural creation city. It is a city with the power to upkeep tradition while taking in new trends and creating new culture. Since its foundation, the university has always been involved in and affected by this city.

We will continue to transmit information to the world beyond national borders and ethnic differences, and contribute to the world peace and sustained development of humankind.

Number of Students

Undergraduates 7,862
Graduate Students 2,336
International Students 632
*As of May 1, 2018

Number of Partner Schools

University-Level 181
Department-Level 69
Student Exchange Partner 177
*As of May 1, 2018

Overseas Locations (Office name and location)

21 Locations

  • Beijing Office (China)
  • Shanghai (China)
  • Hangzhou (China)
  • Tianjin (China)
  • Bandung (Indonesia)
  • Bangkok (Thailand)
  • Hanoi (Vietnam)
  • Nairobi (Kenya)
  • Ghent (Belgium)
  • Vladivostok (Russia)
    etc.

Colleges

  • Human and Social Sciences
  • Science and Engineering
  • Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences

Graduate Schools

  • Human and Socio-Environmental Studies
  • Natural Science and Technology
  • Medical Sciences
  • Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences
  • Frontier Science Initiative
  • Law School
  • Professional Development in Teacher Education

Activities

Double-Degree Programs, Twinning Programs

In education, the university welcomes international students to both undergraduate and graduate programs, and there are Double-Degree Programs with eight universities in five countries through which students may earn master’s or doctoral degree from both Kanazawa University and partner university. Also, there are Twinning Programs with four universities in two countries through which students may study the last 2 years of undergraduate program at Kanazawa University and receive the Bachelor’s degree.

Experiences in Japanese Culture and Society Program

In a short-term study abroad program, “Experiences in Japanese Culture and Society,” students can learn about traditional Japanese culture, which still remains very alive in Kanazawa and Ishikawa. At the same time, the courses present Japanese culture in its contemporary form. This is because in order to understand Japanese culture properly, it is necessary to know about both its traditional and innovative aspects. Also, there are many opportunities for multicultural collaboration, such as “Joint Class” in which Japanese students and international students learn together.

Experiences in Japanese Culture and Society

Program for Leading Graduate Schools “Cultural Resource Manager Training Program”

This is a 5-Year Integrated Special Program selected as Program for Leading Graduate Schools by MEXT(Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), which aims to train “Cultural Resource Managers”, the professionals who consider tangible and intangible diverse cultural heritages of the humankind as shared resources to the future society, who can find an effective plan for preservation, succession and utilization and who take part in their management and operation.

Survey of Mayan Ruins in Cultural Resource Manager Training Program

Environmental Technology International Course (ETIC)

ETIC is cultivating eco-engineers who have the knowledge and skills in environmental technologies to contribute to the development of a sustainable society beyond the boundaries. In cooperation with industry and government, ETIC provides practical education that will qualify students to work in manufacturing companies around the world that endeavor to make the best use of natural resources and reduce their environmental impact.

ETIC has cross-disciplinary curriculum which emphasizes practices by group work among Japanese and international students. The curriculum is designed to develop international communication skills and leadership, as well as a wide knowledge on environmental technology.

Noto study camp

Researches

Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University

This is a research center established in 2017 as part of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative of MEXT. The objective of this initiative is to form world-tier research centers.

NanoLSI combines the foremost knowledge of bio-scanning probe microscopy to establish ‘nano-endoscopic techniques’ to directly image, analyze, and manipulate biomolecules for insights into mechanisms governing life phenomena such as diseases.

The “CHOZEN PROJECT”

Five research projects at Kanazawa University have been adopted as the CHOZEN PROJECT. These projects aim at forming the research core that accumulates superior talented brains by reinforcing the research field in which the university has strength.

Development of Nanoscience Research Base by Innovative Atomic Force Microscopy Techniques

This project aims to strengthen the research ability in the nanoscience field, through atomic force microscopy (AFM) research at the world’s highest standard. The project will bring innovative progress in various fields by visualizing protein behaviors related to vital phenomena or illness and interfacial phenomena at the atomic/molecular level.

Establishment of Research Base for Nutrition-Related Diseases

This project focuses on the research of liver nutrition-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cancer, and organopathy, which leads to the development of an advanced medical method of disease prevention/diagnose/treatment.

Innovative Project of Research Base for Cancer Progression

This project enforces the function of 3 core research programs at the Cancer Research Institute: “Cancer Stem Cell Program,” “Cancer Microenvironment Program” and “Molecules Target Search Program.” Furthermore, it promotes the integrated research of genetically-modified mice based on the latest genome information and transplantation model to super-immunodeficiency mice.

Establishment of a World’s Leading Research Center for Cultural Resource Management

The Center for Cultural Resource Studies has given some outstanding results especially in the fields of archaeology, mural painting studies, and Buddhist iconography. This project aims at not only establishing superiority of abovementioned fields of study but also promoting the integration of arts and sciences in cultural resource studies.

Establishment of the Developmental Base for the Innovative Material Science Using Supramolecule

This project aims to create an innovative supramolecule and to improve research competitiveness in the field. The project takes an advantage of the fusion between fundamental and applied research, and aims at the development of next-generation energy, environmental materials and materials related to improvement of life quality.

Information

Website  www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Address Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
Tel (+81)76-264-5245
Fax (+81)76-234-4043
Email kokukou@adm.kanazawa-u.ac.jp