Institute of Science Tokyo establishes three research institutes for "fusion of different fields"

On October 1, 2024, the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University merged to form the Institute of Science Tokyo. This is the first merger between designated national universities. The merger involves existing education and research organizations in fields such as science, engineering, medicine and dentistry. In addition, three research institutes have been established in conjunction with this merger: the Institute of Integrated Research, the Institute of Future Science, and the Institute of New Industry Incubation. These Institutes will promote research that integrates different fields.

President and Chief Executive Officer Naoto Ohtake said, "We have merged in order to pave the way for a better future. We want Institute of Science Tokyo to be a creative university. We will reorganize the systems of science and engineering, medicine and dentistry to create new academic knowledge. Our approach is based on understanding and using nature, as well as comprehending people and society. We want to be a university that can give back the power of science to society and intend to collaborate with various domestic and international stakeholders to ensure social management of research findings. This will be achieved via industry−government−academia partnerships and startups. Furthermore, we want to be a university that plays a role in the development of culture. Culture is the foundation of the public mind. We want to develop it by integrating science and engineering, medicine and dentistry, the humanities and the social sciences and bringing them closer to each other. Finally, we want to be a university that understands the power of science and produces human resources of the future who will give the power of science back to society."

President and Chief Academic Officer Yujiro Tanaka said, "Groups of people with expertise in science and engineering will come together with and groups with expertise in medicine and dentistry in a new way. Before the merger, something very impressive happened when students from the two universities exchanged ideas. When we asked students from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University about their impressions, they said that students from the Tokyo Institute of Technology were engaged in high-quality research. They were surprised and inspired by these students' ambition and passion."

"Meanwhile, when I asked the students at the Tokyo Institute of Technology about their views of the other institution, they revealed that they were surprised and inspired to find that the students at Tokyo Medical and Dental University had clear career plans. I wondered if students from different backgrounds could meet each other, they generate new, surprising ideas, broaden their perspectives and realize future innovations. Therefore, in terms of education, we would like to introduce a new medical−dental−scientific fusion education program. This program will promote interdisciplinary learning and provide opportunities for students to interact with each other."

"In terms of research, we have established three research institutes as organizations that promote the circulation of knowledge. We will strive to contribute to society by providing a forum where different researchers can find new value together."