Industry-University-Government Cooperation Policy

Tohoku University has been committed to the "Research First", the "Open-Door" and the "Practice-Oriented Research and Education" policies since its foundation, and is internationally recognized for its outstanding research and education. The university contributes to the peace and prosperity of human society by devoting itself to research useful in solving societal problems, and by educating human resources in leadership skills.
The university aims to become a "World-class university" which contributes to human society by applying the knowledge it has accumulated over the past century, and by devoting itself to continuous research and education for the next century.
Moreover, under its policy of "global and regional openness," Tohoku University will contribute to the growth of human society as a whole through the collective strength of its human and intellectual resources, and cooperation with regional and international communities. "Industry-University-Government Cooperation" is the core of our social contribution, our university's third mission, after "Education" and "Research," and an important means of delivering the benefits of knowledge to society. Our university follows an active policy of Industry-University-Government cooperation as described below.

1. Ever since its founding, Tohoku University has had a tradition of "practice-oriented research and education." Based upon this, the university shall increase the added social value of its education and research by widely disseminating its academic achievements to society and promoting the transfer of technology to industry.
2. In addition to technological transfer and cooperative research, the university shall promote world-leading research into technological innovations within the context of international Industry-University-Government cooperation.
3. The university shall continuously promote Industry-University-Government cooperation toward solving problems, including those specific to the region, and contribute to Japan's economic and social development as a driving force behind innovation.
4. There shall be an organization within the university for the promotion of Industry-University-Government cooperation, and it shall further such cooperation with an international perspective through the mobilization of university resources and coordination with pertinent domestic and foreign institutions.
5. In promoting Industry-University-Government cooperation, social accountability shall be fundamental --i.e. ensuring transparency, and complying with international and domestic laws and international treaties.

Joint Research Projects with Industry (FY 2011)