Message from Dean

Yuichi Oike, M.D., Ph.D.

My name is Yuichi Oike, and I have assumed the position of Dean of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University as of April 2023, succeeding Professor Kazuya Yamagata. I am deeply honored and humbled by this great responsibility. I am determined to do my utmost to fulfill my responsibilities so that I can return the favor to Kumamoto University for all it has extended to me.

Our graduate education is led by Professor Hiroyuki Oshiumi, Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Professor of the Department of Immunology. In response to the growing demand for the internationalization of universities, we are also actively engaged in the internationalization of our graduate education. We have been working with a number of overseas universities to establish a double degree program that allows students to earn a Ph.D. degree from Kumamoto University and an overseas university at the same time. In AY2022, an international student from Khon Kaen University in Thailand received a Ph.D. degree for the first time through this program.

In addition, we have introduced a new internship system that allows international students who are considering entering our graduate school to actually stay in our school for a short time and experience its research and educational environment. Our graduate school has also been selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for a special program that gives priority placement to government-sponsored international students. With a large number of international students enrolled in our graduate school, we have increased the percentage of international students in our school to 25%. We are proud that the level of research in medicine and life sciences at Kumamoto University is among the best in the world. We hope that all of our graduate students will take full advantage of this favorable research environment and strive to realize their academic dreams with a great spirit of inquiry.

Currently, the most serious problem in graduate education is the percentage of students complete their degrees within the standard years of study. In our graduate school, students aim to obtain a doctoral degree (Doctor of Philosophy) in four years, the standard length of study. However, global trends in scientific research demand more advanced research, which lengthens research periods and makes it more difficult for students to publish one paper in a Western journal in four years, which is a requirement for graduation. In order to increase the graduation rate within the standard term of study, an increasing number of universities are awarding degrees even to students who have not yet published papers. Our graduate school has been actively discussing this issue at our faculty meetings and graduate education committee meetings, and we are concerned that easy graduation will lead to a decline in research capabilities. Therefore, we will differentiate ourselves from other universities and continue to strive to improve our four-year graduation rate while maintaining the high quality of our research outcomes as ever.

The responsibilities and workload of those responsible for medical education and research continue to increase. In addition, the repeated reforms have led to increases in unexpected expenses. Many national universities, including our own, are struggling to cope with the limited financial resources for education and research, which are financed by subsidies for operating expenses. To keep up with other universities through the various reforms, Kumamoto University has established the Kuma-i-mon Fund (Kumamoto University Medical Education and Research Fund). We are deeply grateful for the generosity of many people who have contributed to this fund.

Finally, we would like to ask for your continued understanding and support for the education and research activities of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences at Kumamoto University.

April 2023