Okayama University can trace its history back over 140 years to a school called the Medical Training Place founded in 1870 by Okayama-Han. Okayama is known as "land of sunshine" in Japan, the area is also famous for its historical connection to learning and schools.
Officially incorporated as a University in 1949 Okayama has evolved over the years but remains a centre for the research and practice of medicine although in recent times this has been supplemented by a focus on humanities, science, agriculture, engineering, economics and law.
Okayama became a national university corporation in 2004 and has received several major titles from the Japanese government including Clinical Study Core Hospital and Research University.
Okayama has 12 faculties spread over three main campuses, two of which are centrally located in Okayama-city. The Tsushima Campus occupies a huge area of downtown Okayama and houses sports facilities, administration and teaching buildings and lots of green spaces as well as the dormitory buildings for international students and the campus International House.
The campus, although in the middle of a busy city, manages to stay peaceful and quiet and it is only a couple of kilometres from the nearest rail station with Osaka only an hour away by bullet train and Tokyo only three.
Okayama University’s Advanced Science Research Centre comprises four departments: Radiation Research, Animal Resources, Genomics & Proteomics, and Instrumental Analysis & Cryogenics. The university also places great emphasis on applying the innovations its researchers come up with by supporting cooperative, integrated research and fostering close links with industry and commerce.
