Education & Research Institutes

The Research Center for the Pacific Islands
The Research Center for the Pacific Islands promotes interdisciplinary research on island-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region. It has the support of researchers from Kagoshima University and other domestic and overseas universities and institutions. The results of its studies are combined to enhance comprehensive understanding of island environments and further the welfare of island communities. These objectives are pursued primarily through three interrelated projects: natural and social environments of islands and their sustainability; island development problems relating to medical care, information provision and social change; self-sustaining development in islands through technological progress in fields such as agriculture, fishery and education. The Center has a station in the Amami Islands, which supports research and education activities and advances regional goals.
Computing and Communications Center
The Computing and Communications Center is a core facility of computing and networking of the Kagoshima University. It is also a major research and development center for information technology, consists of three research divisions.

Research Division of Media and Information Technology : This division plays a central role in planning, management and research concerning the computing system for education and the campus computer network of the Kagoshima University, and research and development are carried out mainly on e-learning and computer networks.

Research division of Academic Information Resources : This division carries out research and development on the use of information technology for cooperation inside the university and outside.

Information Systems Division: This division is in charge of information security in Kagoshima University, and offers strategic planning for campus wide information systems as well as seeks out good solutions to the university through innovative deployment of advanced technology.
International Student Center
The International Student Center takes care of students from all over the　world, providing a fundamental training of Japanese language and cultural　understanding which is indispensable for their stay and adaptation in a new　environment. At the beginning of each semester we offer orientation programs　including basic Japanese session for the beginners. We of course have many　other intermediate and advanced level courses, too. The center also assists　students in various ways such as counseling for academic and non-academic　affairs and giving information on study abroad. International students can also　enjoy exchange activities with Japanese students and local people organized　periodically by this center.
Research and Education Center for Lifelong Learning
The Research and Education Center for Lifelong Learning was established in 2003 to encourage adult education through collaboration with the community. Based on the intellectual resources accumulated in Kagoshima University, the Center provides extension lectures, seminars and symposiums in accordance with the community's needs. In addition, the Center provides the community with opportunities for the recurrent education of its leaders in various fields and conducts research projects with the community.
Education Center
The Kagoshima University Education Center was established on October 1st, 2003. The aim of the Center is to promote the development and improvement of the university in the following ways: 1) to propose, investigate, and develop new approaches to university education; 2) to plan and implement general and basic courses (thereafter referred to as "General Education") that are offered in cooperation with all faculties of the university; 3) to develop measures to enhance foreign language education; 4) to promote dialogue on education within the university as a whole.

A unique feature of the Center is that its focus is not limited to the area of General Education. Its role is to investigate current educational practice in the university and suggest improvements. The Center is also responsible for planning and implementing faculty development programs, and for promoting the use of e-learning and information technology throughout the university.

Kagoshima University's General Education is divided into the following ﬁve areas:

1.Liberal Arts
　The objective of liberal arts courses is to develop a basic understanding of the process of intellectual inquiry in various ﬁelds and to clarify issues facing society today. The curriculum includes a number of interdisciplinary courses that draw on the academic resources throughout the university, as well as traditional disciplines, such as philosophy, sociology, and physics.

2.Information Technology
　Special emphasis is placed on instruction in information technology to meet the needs of contemporary society. Computer training and instruction in information processing are offered to develop computer literacy.

3.Foreign Languages
　Instruction in foreign languages is also regarded as extremely important in the age of globalization. Various kinds of language courses are offered to meet students' interests and needs.

4.Physical Education and Health Science
　Lectures and exercise encourage students to develop a sound body and mind and awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

5. Japanese Language and Culture
　These courses are offered to overseas students enrolled in the university. The aim of these courses is to develop ﬂuency in the Japanese language as well as a deep understanding of Japanese life and culture.

　In addition, courses in basic disciplines, such as mathematics, the physical sciences, and the life sciences, are offered as part of general education to help students prepare for major courses.
National Science Center for Research and Education
The Natural Science Center for Research and Education was established in April 2012 in accordance with the reorganization of the previous Frontier Science Research Center. The center has four branches related to the fields of isotopes, animal science, biotechniques, and instrumental analysis, and has three laboratories for animal science, gene research, and instrumental analysis, all designed to support the high level of natural science research and education. The center aims to promote and support research and education activities in all fields of natural sciences, especially life science, environmental science, and material science.
Center for Advanced Biomedical Science and Swine Research
The Center for Advanced Biomedical Science and Swine Research (CABSS Director: Professor Kazuhiko Yamada) is a major Translational Research Center at Kagoshima University and was formerly part of the Frontier Science Research Center (FSRC). In order to advence priority research projects, especially those with the focus of bringing the "bench to the bedside," the CABSS became independent from the FSRC in April 2012. The CABSS consists of three research divisions: (1)Organ Replacement and Xenotransplant Surgery; (2)Gene Expression and Regulation; and (3)Cancer and Regeneration.
Kagoshima University Innovation Center (KUIC)
The Kagoshima University Innovation Center (KUIC), established in April 2006, merged the Research and Development Center, the Intellectual Property Ofﬁce and the Venture Business Laboratory to hasten functional and effective management of cooperation among industry, university and government. The Center includes the following divisions and functions.

1.Liaison ofﬁce
This division was established originally in 1992 as the Research and Development Center, one of the cooperative educational and research facilities. This division aims to match the research seeds of this university with social needs, and is promoting social reduction and the technology transfer of the result of the research through cooperative research projects with outside organizations.

The activities in this division are promotion of cooperative research between industry and the university researchers, technology consultations for the industry managers and engineers, introduction of the university researchers to the industries, promotion of the liaison (technology transfer) business cooperation with intellectual property ofﬁce and others.

2.Intellectual Property Ofﬁce
The Intellectual Property Ofﬁce was established in December 2003 in order to promote and protect the intellectual property originated from the University's educational and research activities and to enhance its strategic use in line with the University's mission to enable research results to contribute the society.

3.Venture Business Laboratory
Venture Business Laboratory (KUIC-VBL) was established in March 2004 as a specialized venture business research and educational institution for post-graduate and graduate students. Executing a Japanese government keystone, KUIC- VBL provides a framework for the incubation of technology and the start of new enterprises under collaboration between the university and industry. Several research projects regarding nano-scale biotechnology are currently in progress.
Research Center for Archaeology
The Research Center for Archaeology concerns itself with the excavation of archaeological sites on the campuses of the University. All the artifacts discovered are catalogued and researched. Members of the public are free to watch and even take part in the excavations.
Inamori Academy
The Inamori Academy of Kagoshima University is a university- wide, undergraduate general education and research program encompassing humanistic studies, management and leadership education, and regional/international understanding and cooperation. Dedicated Academy faculty and instructors from across and outside the university provide over 40 innovative courses on ethics, philosophy, cultural studies, communications, management, sustainability, personal/career development, and more.

The central mission of the Inamori Academy is to help students throughout the university to develop their potential and their skills for leadership in the 21st century, whatever their chosen ﬁelds may be. Through a wide variety of learning activities and interactions with others inside and outside the university, the Academy provides a broad venue for students to explore their own ideas and vision. In conjunction with this mission, the Inamori Academy aims to promote greater community and society cooperation, understanding and sense of responsibility through local, regional and international collaborations. A concrete example of this effort is the establishment of an ofﬁce in Hanoi, Vietnam to facilitate cultural, educational, and research exchanges.

The Inamori Academy is endowed by generous donations from Kyocera Corporation and its founder and Chairman Emeritus, alumnus Kazuo Inamori, who also founded the telecommunications firm DDI (now KDDI) and the Inamori Foundation, grantors of the internationally recognized Kyoto Prizes. The Academy was originally established in 2005 as the Inamori Academy of Management & Technology and expanded in 2008 to reach the whole undergraduate student community at large. Through the Inamori Academy we hope to instill in all our students the passion, understanding and desire to contribute to society that are cornerstones of Dr. Inamori's works and philosophy.
Volunteer Support Center
The Volunteer Support Center was established in July 2008 with the aim of promoting and supporting the volunteer activities by students of Kagoshima University.

The Center provides related information to both students and the community as a liason with the purpose of developing students' human mind and power, 'Ningen-ryoku' through their involvement in various volunteer activities in the community, and promoting the community contribution and activation by students.
The Center plans and supports the following volunteer projects along with the existing activities. 1. Academic Support 2. Disaster Relief Activity 3. Sight-seeing Support 4. Support for under-populated areas 5. Conservation of rare creatures 6. Campus Cleaning and others
North American Center
Kagoshima University's North American Center branch office is located in San Jose, California, USA. The center was originally opened as Silicon Valley Office of the Venture Business Laboratory, Kagoshima University December 2004, and in September 2008 was broadened to represent the whole University as the North American Center, an ofﬁcial university-level organization. In April 2011, the center was officeially registered with the State of California as a brance office of Kagoshima university. The center plans and conducts various programs for education, research and society contribution in North America according to the following objectives:

(1) To promote training and education programs of students and staff
(2) To promote joint research and activities with universities, institutions, companies and other organizations
(3) To promote seminars, forums and other meetings
(4) To promote international collaborative programs and activities with other universities

Professor Katsunori Takeuchi as the Director of the center is planning and implementing various activities: overseas study programs for students and administrative staffs, remote classes, the US-Japan Future Forum and so on.

The Center is active in JUNBA (The Japanese Universities Network in the Bay Area) and is working for the cooperative activities and exchange information through JUNBA to expand the ﬁelds of education and research activities of Kagoshima University.
Liaison Ofﬁce Kagoshima University Faculty of Fisheries
In April 2006, the Japan Ofﬁce of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), was opened at the Faculty of Fisheries campus of Kagoshima University. This followed the establishment in February 2006 of the Liaison Office Kagoshima University Faculty of Fisheries in Miagao Campus of UPV. Following with the creation of these new offices, the relationship of between both universities was upgraded from faculty-level to university-level in December 2007. It is the first case for Kagoshima University to have mutual liaison offices with a sister universities of university-level. An associate professor from the Philippines who has been newly employed at Kagoshima University is serving as staff of the ofﬁce which consists of a research ofﬁce and a laboratory. The ofﬁce is expected to be a core center of joint project for management and conservation of ﬁsheries resources and aquatic environment.

From 1998 to 2008 the Faculty of Fisheries conducted the joint project titled 'Development, Management and Conservation of Fisheries Resources and Aquatic Environment of the Philippines' with UPV as a core university program funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Following to this project, a new international project dealing with mainly 'Conservation and Management of Aquatic dealing with mainly 'Conservation and Management of Aquatic JSPS since 2008.
Tokyo Liaison Ofﬁce
Tokyo Liaison Ofﬁce, which located in the Campus Innovation Center (CIC) in Shibaura Minato-Ku Tokyo, was opened in December 2004 to collect and transmit information and related activities in the Tokyo metropolitan area actively.

A variety of information of Kagoshima University such as university brochure, Journals and other documents, information about admission such as brochures of faculties, graduate schools, application guidebooks and others are provided at the Ofﬁce. Furthermore, support for the employment of the students, coordination for tech-support and joint-research with companies, and alumni associations are provided.

Access : No.607 Campus Innovation Center (CIC)　3-6, 3-chome, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023
Information Center
The Information Center was opened at the University's main gate in April 2007 as the communication center for candidates, company staff and the general public. At the Center, Information about various events and other items are provided and some research products are also exhibited. A staff is assigned to introduce the available facilities to visitors, to distribute varieties of university brochures and journals, to show examples of entrance examination and to sell the university original goods. In addition, a DVD of the university guide is always available for viewing.

Open: Monday to Friday (except national holidays) 9:00 to 17:30

Goods for sales:University's original goods - clear ﬁle, ballpoint pen, book jacket, key holder, pen case, tote bag, tiepin, badge
Eriobotrya folium tea (Biwa-cha): tea bag, plastic bottle, supplement
Flower basket with Chiku-tan (coal made from bamboo), picture-ﬂame made from Chiku-tan, wall-hanging picture- ﬂame made from Chiku-tan, board of pressed ﬂower made from Chiku-tan, Chiku-tan block,Hand-made works by pupils of afﬁliated special-needs school, DVD (movie 'Hoku-shin Nanameni Sasutokoro)
Kagoshima University brand Sho-chu (distilled spirit) - 'Shunju-oka', 'Kibaiyanse', 'Ten-shochu' Tray made of Yaku ceder, post-card made of Yaku cedar, Farm Products (vegetables, grain, fruits and others)
Exibits: Canned Tuna, Post card