University of the Ryukyus
Encyclopedia
The , abbreviated to Ryūdai , is a national university of Japan
. It is located in the town of Nishihara
on Okinawa Honto in Okinawa Prefecture
. There are also campuses in Nakagusuku
and Ginowan
. It is the westernmost national university of Japan and the largest public university in Okinawa Prefecture. Since Ryūdai boasts a large-scale medical school and many distinguished faculty members, it is recognized as the most prestigious university in Okinawa.
in Naha
on May 22, 1950. It was placed under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands
in 1966.
Ryūdai became a Japanese national university on May 15, 1972, upon Okinawa's return to Japan. The university had been situated on the site of the Shuri Castle in Naha, it had moved to its current locations during 1975 and 1984 in order for the revival of the castle.
The university was a state-run university from 1972 until 2004, when it was reclassified as a 'national university corporation' under the Japanese government's changes to the national university system.
As such, it becomes important for modern societies to put an emphasis on abundant wisdom and nice, flexible mind of the south, as alternatives to the theories that benefit the advanced countries in the north, and the university must pay particular attention to the vital importance of ecological and environmental issues.
The University of the Ryukyus, was established under the guidance of Michigan State University, has developed its own traditions of contributing to and advancing along with the local community, of conducting international exchange, of broadening our knowledge base through academic and educational activities, particularly on a regional level with other Asian countries with whom it shares many commonalities, but also to make a global intellectual contribution in exchange with Europe and America. Furthermore, it enhances development of human resources, regardless of gender and nationality.
University's vision can be summed as follows:
This university has played its role over the years in developing leaders who are active in areas such as science, fine arts, as well as politics and economics. Although it will continue to develop high quality individuals in these areas, the university must respond to emerging trends that will have both a local and global impact, such as social change as a result of globalization and population shifts.
It needs to look at academic development in new areas, as well as in fields of an interdisciplinary nature. With these matters in mind, it has established the following goals:
In order to aim towards future expansion and the achievement of its goals, it is necessary to have high-caliber faculty and students with drive, along with a sound financial basis and flexible management. The university has high hopes and expectations on its strongly-motivated students.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is located in the town of Nishihara
Nishihara, Okinawa
is a town located in Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan.As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 34,869 and a density of 2,201 persons per km²...
on Okinawa Honto in Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
. There are also campuses in Nakagusuku
Nakagusuku, Okinawa
is a village located in Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan.As of 2008, the village has an estimated population of 16,462 and a density of 1,065 persons per km². The total area is 15.46 km²....
and Ginowan
Ginowan, Okinawa
is a city located in Okinawa, Japan. As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 88,318 and the density of 4,526.81 persons per km². The total area is 19.51 km². The city borders Chatan to the west, Okinawa City to the North, Urasoe to the south and Nishihara to the East.- Politics and...
. It is the westernmost national university of Japan and the largest public university in Okinawa Prefecture. Since Ryūdai boasts a large-scale medical school and many distinguished faculty members, it is recognized as the most prestigious university in Okinawa.
History
Under the auspices of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands, the University of the Ryukyus was founded, as a territorial university, on the site of the historic Shuri CastleShuri Castle
Shuri Castle is a gusuku in Shuri, Okinawa. It was the palace of the Ryūkyū Kingdom. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed...
in Naha
Naha, Okinawa
is the capital city of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa.Naha is a coastal city located on the East China Sea coast of the southern part of Okinawa Island, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands...
on May 22, 1950. It was placed under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands
Government of the Ryukyu Islands
The was the government in Okinawa, Japan after World War II until 1972.-Outline:After the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, the armed forces of the United States occupied Okinawa and set up a local government. In 1952, Japan signed the Treaty of San Francisco and admitted the control of Okinawa...
in 1966.
Ryūdai became a Japanese national university on May 15, 1972, upon Okinawa's return to Japan. The university had been situated on the site of the Shuri Castle in Naha, it had moved to its current locations during 1975 and 1984 in order for the revival of the castle.
The university was a state-run university from 1972 until 2004, when it was reclassified as a 'national university corporation' under the Japanese government's changes to the national university system.
Guiding Principles
Okinawa was the site of the final battle of the Pacific War, which resulted in thousands of deaths as well as heavy destruction to its nature and cultural heritage. To this day, vast US bases still remain in Okinawa. For these reasons, the University of the Ryukyus has followed its guiding principles of "Freedom and Equality, Tolerance and Peace" since its founding. The quest for truth, and the desire to make a meaningful contribution to both its immediate region and to global society more broadly continue to be its primary objectives.University's Vision
The world continues to change dramatically in the 21st Century. Global warming has become a serious threat. The wasteful use of resources for development primarily benefiting advanced countries has and continues to lead to the depletion of natural resources and regional conflicts.As such, it becomes important for modern societies to put an emphasis on abundant wisdom and nice, flexible mind of the south, as alternatives to the theories that benefit the advanced countries in the north, and the university must pay particular attention to the vital importance of ecological and environmental issues.
The University of the Ryukyus, was established under the guidance of Michigan State University, has developed its own traditions of contributing to and advancing along with the local community, of conducting international exchange, of broadening our knowledge base through academic and educational activities, particularly on a regional level with other Asian countries with whom it shares many commonalities, but also to make a global intellectual contribution in exchange with Europe and America. Furthermore, it enhances development of human resources, regardless of gender and nationality.
University's vision can be summed as follows:
- Contribute to society both locally and globally through education and research.
- Promote the advancement of knowledge with other Asian countries through international exchange.
- Conduct high-quality education and research as a global knowledge hub.
Human Resources
The mission of the University of the Ryukyus is to send promising individuals out into society with a high-quality education. It aims to cultivate individuals with the following qualities:- Those who can make contributions at the local level as well as on a larger societal scale
- Those who can take an active role both nationally and globally
- Those who will strive to accomplish their dreams
- Those who possess drive and are open-minded
- Those who can learn from Okinawan history and the university's guiding principles and take advantage of them
Long-term Goals
The University of the Ryukyus strives to make contributions to both local and global society based on founding traditions and principles. In order to develop this university as a knowledge hub to the world, it is necessary to have dedication and nurturing young individuals is of vital importance.This university has played its role over the years in developing leaders who are active in areas such as science, fine arts, as well as politics and economics. Although it will continue to develop high quality individuals in these areas, the university must respond to emerging trends that will have both a local and global impact, such as social change as a result of globalization and population shifts.
It needs to look at academic development in new areas, as well as in fields of an interdisciplinary nature. With these matters in mind, it has established the following goals:
- Conduct education which focuses on continual improvement in the quality of graduates
- Improve the environment in which the potential of young researchers and new academic fields is developed
- Promote basic research and research utilizing Okinawa's regional characteristics
- Strive to be a university which makes intellectual contributions to society at large, which passes on learning and generates new learning
In order to aim towards future expansion and the achievement of its goals, it is necessary to have high-caliber faculty and students with drive, along with a sound financial basis and flexible management. The university has high hopes and expectations on its strongly-motivated students.
Faculties
- Law and Letters
- Education
- Science
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Tourism Sciences and Industrial Management
Graduate Schools
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Graduate School of Tourism Sciences
- Graduate School of Education
- Graduate School of Medicine
- Graduate School of Health Sciences
- Graduate School of Engineering and Science
- Special Graduate Programs for International Students
- Asia-Pacific Engineering Design Program (APEDP)
- Okinawa International Marine Science Program (OIMAP)
- Graduate School of Agriculture
- Graduate School of Law
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University
- Special Support Education Programs
Facilities for Education and Research
- University Education Center
- University Library
- Health Administration Center
- Elementary and Junior High Schools
- University Hospital
- Facilities for Education and Research
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center / Joint-Use Inter-University Institute
- Inter-Departmental Institutes for Education and Research
- Integrated Innovation Center for Community(IICC)
- Instrumental Research Center
- Education and Research Center for Lifelong Learning
- Computing and Networking Center
- International Student Center
- Joint-Use Inter-Departmental Institutes
- Foreign Language Center
- Academic Museum(Fujukan)
- Low Temperature Center
- University Evaluation Center
- Placement Center
- Disaster Prevention Research Center for Island Regions
- International Institute for Okinawan Studies(IIOS)
- Strategic Research Promotion Unit(SRPU)
- Transdisciplinary Research Organization for Subtropics and Island Studies(TRO-SIS)