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Goal and Outline
In the Tohoku University Global COE program, the ÓGlobal Nano-Biomedical Engineering Network CentreÓ, we seek to integrate nano-biomedical engineering activities within East Asian and Pacific Rim countries. It is not restricted to those areas, but our intention is to start to organise the most active institutions in this region in the hope that worldwide collaborations will be implemented. The countries within the Pan-Pacific Rim support almost one-third of the world's population, and this population maintains the fastest growing economies today. To consolidate the infrastructure and growth of our and partner countries, we need to encourage our young scientists and engineers to collaborate in a global environment. It will greatly assist the continuous and increasing well-being of the nation's health and economy, which is a major goal of our global COE program.
Success in a global situation requires cross-cultural, international experience in the workplace. Such a globally enlightened workforce is necessary for science and engineering research, but is equally important in industrial development. Enterprises increasingly require employees who are not merely technically skilled, but who are able to work as a principal partner and contributor to interdisciplinary teams across international cultures and boundaries. This COE program will be a leading project in such truly global education and research.
Education through synergistic research activities in engineering and medicine is the most important factor in establishing the global COE program. It is sometimes felt that Japanese students are too reserved and not able to express their knowledge and achievements within the scientific domain. It is thought to be due to their lack of or inappropriate exposure to international environments. We have therefore carefully designed the educational system of the global COE program to involve young investigators and students in an international environment by immersing them in international activities.
