Two Top - Tier National Universities In Japan Agree To Merge
Two of Japan's top-tier national universities have basically agreed to merge to enhance their international competitiveness in the field of science.
The Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Tokyo Medical and Dental University announced on Friday that they are aiming to become one entity in two years' time.
The new university's name is yet to be decided. The two sides say they will discuss organizational restructuring and other issues during a transition period until March 2028.
The two universities are among only 10 national schools designated by the government as having top-level research capabilities in Japan.
This will be the first merger between the designated universities.
The two institutions say they plan to apply for the status of internationally competitive universities, which will enable the new body to receive money from the government's university fund. The fund will have assets of about 10 trillion yen, or about 68 billion dollars.
Tokyo Medical and Dental University President Tanaka Yujiro told reporters that he proposed the merger about two years ago as a way to promote collaboration between the medical and engineering sciences.
Tokyo Institute of Technology President Masu Kazuya said he wanted to preserve his university's long history, achievements and traditions, but that he also wondered whether the institute had become globally competitive.
He said he concluded that the university should move in a new direction.
The Tokyo Institute of Technology has more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The Tokyo Medical and Dental University has over 3,000 students and runs a hospital.