Shimane University

Shimane University (島根大学, Shimane Daigaku) — colloquially known as Shima-dai (島大) — is a national university in Japan. Although formally established as a university in 1949, Shima-dai's origins date back to the late 19th century. In 2003 it merged with the Shimane Medical University (established in 1975). It is a multi-disciplinary university, with faculties in law and literature, education, medicine, science and engineering, and life and environmental science. The university has graduate schools in humanities and social sciences, education, medical research, science and engineering, life and environmental science, and law. Shima-dai has approximately 6,000 students (including over 750 post-graduate and doctoral students), more than 750 academic staff and over 400 support staff. It was the first public university in Japan to establish an interdisciplinary department integrating natural sciences and engineering. The motto is 'Shimane University — growing with people and with the region' (人とともに 地域とともに 島根大学).
Located in Shimane Prefecture in western Honshu, the university has campuses in Matsue City (the prefectural capital) and Izumo City (one hour to the west of Matsue). The Matsue campus is home to the university's Law & Literature, Education, Science & Engineering, and Life & Environmental Science faculties, as well as the university's central administration. The Izumo campus is home to the university's Medical Faculty comprising the Medical School, Nursing School and University Hospital.
Shimane University comprises the following faculties, departments and schools:
Shimane University also has the following graduate schools:
Courses and programs of study offered by Shimane University include the following:
Shimane University offers undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees (including master's degrees and Doctorates) and specialist degrees such as the Graduate School of Law's Juris Doctor degree.
Shimane University incorporates or is affiliated with the following institutions (among others):
The University Hospital, on the Izumo campus, was established in 1979 and extensively renovated in 2011. It is one of the largest hospitals — and the only teaching hospital — in Shimane Prefecture. The hospital covers all major specialties. It is home to Shimane Prefecture's Cancer Center and has a palliative care center, pediatric center and advanced ER, ICU and operating facilities. The hospital also specializes in rural medicine. It has nearly 1,168 medical and support staff and 606 beds.
The university has an active and growing international program. Shima-dai has official ties with 38 universities around the world and each year hosts approximately 200 students from countries such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Germany, France, the UK and the US.
Shimane University has the following facilities:
The following individuals studied at Shimane University:
Both the Matsue and Izumo campuses of Shimane University are easily accessible by rail, road and air. The Matsue campus is 2 kilometres from Matsue station (rail) and 30 minutes from Izumo and Yonago airports (which offer direct flights to Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul). The Izumo campus is a few minutes from Izumo station (rail) and 30 minutes to Izumo airport (direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka).
The university was ranked 61st (out of XX) in Japan by University Ranking by Academic performance in 2011. The Interdisciplinary faculty of Science and Engineering was ranked 1st in Japan by Shukan Asahi (週刊朝日進学Mook) 2012 concerning ratio of faculty member earned the Doctor degree of Science and Engineering.