Message from the President

A Hub of Knowledge Connecting the Region and the World

Iwate University has a distinguished history dating back to its predecessor institutions: Morioka Normal School (1876), Morioka Imperial College of Agriculture and Forestry (1902), Iwate Prefectural Training Center for Supplementary Vocational School Teachers (1921), and Morioka Higher Technical School (1939). Following Japan's post-war educational reforms, Iwate University was established in 1949 under the new university system. Today, Iwate University comprises five faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences, Education, Science and Engineering, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine. All five faculties are located on a single main campus in Morioka City, where we cultivate individuals with a broad range of expertise and prepare them to make meaningful contributions to society. In addition, we operate the Kamaishi Campus, a center for fisheries education and research located in the coastal city of Kamaishi. We also maintain research forests and research farms in Takizawa City and Shizukuishi Town, making use of the entirety of Iwate Prefecture as a field for learning, education, and research.

Under the slogan, “Together with the Land and People of Iwate,” Iwate University has served as a hub of knowledge for the region through its commitment to higher education. We strive to cultivate individuals who can play active roles not only in local communities, but also across Japan and throughout the international community. To this end, we have developed a variety of educational approaches that foster a strong sense of purpose and initiative among our students. In general education, we offer a curriculum that enables students to learn from the distinctive strengths of different faculties. In specialized education, we have developed systematic curricula that enable students to effectively study their chosen fields. Furthermore, we strengthen information education across all faculties and, through the Regional Co-Creation Education Center, actively promote educational initiatives in collaboration with local governments and regional industries. In research, we engage in a broad spectrum of scholarly activities, ranging from fundamental laboratory-based studies to practical, field-oriented applied research.

As a university open to society, Iwate University is committed to contributing to the cultural advancement and development of both local and global communities through the fruits of its education and research. In today's increasingly digital world, geographical barriers are diminishing in online environments. Yet in reality, values and industrial structures differ from region to region, requiring an understanding of local contexts and the ability to act appropriately within them. A deep understanding of local communities and regions ultimately provides a foundation for individuals to thrive anywhere in the world.

Guided by its fundamental principle of combining excellence in education and research while serving as a hub of knowledge connecting local communities and the world, Iwate University will continue to advance as a university rooted in its region and open to the world.