Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Tech to begin talks on possible integration
Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Tokyo Tech have decided to initiate talks regarding potential integration.
During preliminary discussions, TMDU President Yujiro Tanaka and Tokyo Tech President Kazuya Masu agreed that both institutions have the potential to help solve various problems facing human society and the global environment now, as well as yet unknown issues that may arise in the future. The universities can aid in realizing a society that not only achieves prosperity and sustainable growth, but also provides a diverse population with a true sense of well-being. Based on this mutual recognition, the presidents have held a series of discussions on how the two institutions could create new value that cannot be found currently in Japanese universities through deeper collaboration.
While continuing to strengthen their respective priority fields and strategic areas of research, TMDU and Tokyo Tech can conceivably integrate expertise from the various fields of natural science, on which both universities are based, and utilize ideas from the liberal arts — also emphasized by both universities — to create new academic disciplines that directly contribute to the solving of societal issues. This experimental approach of combining expertise from various fields with divergent, creative thinking can be referred to as “convergence science”. To realize convergence science with a sense of scale, the joint formation by TMDU and Tokyo Tech of a space where diverse researchers and students — all on an equal footing — can engage in open, vigorous collaboration may be the best approach.
Amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the need to realize a carbon-neutral society by 2050, Tanaka and Masu feel that exploration of possible consolidation is not only timely, but could also lead to a stronger global presence for both TMDU and Tokyo Tech and joint contributions to humanity and sustainability. A merger would also be in line with the institutions’ roles as designated national university corporations. However, it should be noted that nothing has been decided at this time. Both TMDU and Tokyo Tech have long histories and traditions, and discussions and scrutiny involving a broad range of constituents from the two institutions are required before any conclusive decisions can be made. To accelerate the consideration process, Tanaka and Masu have informed members of their respective communities that serious talks regarding potential integration will begin.
The merger of TMDU and Tokyo Tech could be an effective way for the two universities to help solve issues related to science and technology, society, and the global environment over the next 100 years. The institutions will proceed with intensive discussions regarding integration while giving due consideration to opinions from members of both communities.
During preliminary discussions, TMDU President Yujiro Tanaka and Tokyo Tech President Kazuya Masu agreed that both institutions have the potential to help solve various problems facing human society and the global environment now, as well as yet unknown issues that may arise in the future. The universities can aid in realizing a society that not only achieves prosperity and sustainable growth, but also provides a diverse population with a true sense of well-being. Based on this mutual recognition, the presidents have held a series of discussions on how the two institutions could create new value that cannot be found currently in Japanese universities through deeper collaboration.
While continuing to strengthen their respective priority fields and strategic areas of research, TMDU and Tokyo Tech can conceivably integrate expertise from the various fields of natural science, on which both universities are based, and utilize ideas from the liberal arts — also emphasized by both universities — to create new academic disciplines that directly contribute to the solving of societal issues. This experimental approach of combining expertise from various fields with divergent, creative thinking can be referred to as “convergence science”. To realize convergence science with a sense of scale, the joint formation by TMDU and Tokyo Tech of a space where diverse researchers and students — all on an equal footing — can engage in open, vigorous collaboration may be the best approach.
Amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the need to realize a carbon-neutral society by 2050, Tanaka and Masu feel that exploration of possible consolidation is not only timely, but could also lead to a stronger global presence for both TMDU and Tokyo Tech and joint contributions to humanity and sustainability. A merger would also be in line with the institutions’ roles as designated national university corporations. However, it should be noted that nothing has been decided at this time. Both TMDU and Tokyo Tech have long histories and traditions, and discussions and scrutiny involving a broad range of constituents from the two institutions are required before any conclusive decisions can be made. To accelerate the consideration process, Tanaka and Masu have informed members of their respective communities that serious talks regarding potential integration will begin.
The merger of TMDU and Tokyo Tech could be an effective way for the two universities to help solve issues related to science and technology, society, and the global environment over the next 100 years. The institutions will proceed with intensive discussions regarding integration while giving due consideration to opinions from members of both communities.