Tokyo university corporations sign merger agreement

Japan: National University Corporation Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and National University Corporation Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have reached an agreement on the merger of the two national university corporations. The same agreement will merge their universities, Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology, to form one university. The two corporations signed a basic agreement for the merger on October 14.

Targeted for completion in fiscal year 2024, the merger aims to achieve integration as soon as possible.

Both Tokyo Tech and TMDU are designated national university corporations as selected by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The unprecedented integration of the two designated national universities and the establishment of a new university will form a center of internationally outstanding education and research that will aim to forge a vibrant future together with society.

New goals of the merger

By combining the knowledge and numerous achievements related to science, engineering, medicine, and dentistry that they have accumulated to date, the two institutions can evolve into a new university that will help solve global issues such as environmental problems, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and the declining birthrate and aging society.

The new university’s goals include:

• Further promoting cutting-edge research at both institutions
• Developing “convergence science” through cooperation and collaboration across departmental and other borders
• Producing highly specialized professionals who will pioneer the future based on comprehensive knowledge
• Nurturing a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity to foster innovation.

The name and governance of the merged corporation and the new university will be decided by a joint preparatory committee of the two universities that will be co-chaired by the presidents of both universities.

About Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Located in the capital and largest city in the country, the Tokyo Medical and Dental University was established as a national educational institution for dentistry on October 12, 1928, in the Yushima/Shoheizaka area – considered sacred ground for scholarship and learning in Japan.

As Japan’s only comprehensive medical university and graduate school, TMDU provides advanced medical treatment through a fusion of the medical and dental fields and works to cultivate “professionals with knowledge and humanity,” thereby contributing to human health and the well-being of society.

About Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tokyo Tech is regarded as one of the leading universities for science and technology in Japan. Tokyo Tech researchers excel in fields ranging from materials science to biology, computer science, and physics.

Founded in 1881 as Tokyo Vocational School, Tokyo Tech hosts over 10,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels each year. Embodying the Japanese philosophy of “monotsukuri,” meaning “technical ingenuity and innovation,” the Tokyo Tech community strives to contribute to society through high-impact research.

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