MISSION

What is "Practical Science" at the time of foundation of Tokyo University of Agriculture?

• "Practical Science" is the school motto advocated by the first President YOKOI Tokiyoshi.
• Its original fundamental principle lies in the rational spirit in which problems are totally grasped and analyzed considering diversified conditions and eventually solved through pursuing theories and means.
• "Practical Science" is multi-disciplinary science and the fundamental principle is "Return man to the farm".
• Agriculture science is wisdom of agriculture.
• The inductive approach is symbolized by the words, "Ask rice plant about rice plant, ask farmers about agriculture".
• Introduction of rural idea to city and creation of cultural and creative agricultural village is aimed.
• The views of self-sufficiency in food production and maintaining sustainable land are emphasized.

Multi-disciplinary Science for Agriculture

• President YOKOI did not use textbooks in his ethics class. Instead, he answered questions from students referring to a vast range of topics.

Tokyo NODAI continues to challenge the new "Practical Science" for sustainable development of mankind and the earth

• The 2 graduate schools, 6 faculties, 23 departments aim at multi-disciplinary science to realize sustainable development of mankind and the earth.
• Their challenging domain consists of four fields: Food, Environment, Health, and Natural Resources and Energy.
• Taking over the fundamental principle, we challenge the cutting edge in scientific fields, such as high technology, microbes and mystery of animate life by the new "Practical Science". The spirit of current Tokyo NODAI can be paraphrased as "Return man to the earth".
• Creation of well-balanced sustainable society based on the symbiosis of nature, environment and region.
• Fostering all-round individuals is aimed through integration of inductive approach (emphasis on experiment) and deductive approach (emphasis on creativity - using one's own brain).

HISTORY

1891

Foundation of the Department of Agriculture, Ikueiko School, based on Tokugawa Ikuei Kai Foundation emphasizing "Practical Science"

The founder was ENOMOTO Takeaki, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Post and Telecommunications, Agriculture, Education, and the Chairman of the Tokugawa Ikuei Kai Foundation.

1893

Renamed "Tokyo Agricultural School"

1894

Establishment of foundation principle

The foremost authority on agriculture in Meiji era, YOKOI Tokiyoshi, joined the management as a councilman. He acceded as the first president of Tokyo University of Agriculture in 1911 and established the educational principle "Return man to the farm", which places value on "Practical Science".

1925

Establishment of Tokyo University of Agriculture The Foundation of Tokyo University of Agriculture was established.

1947

Start of Democratic Education

In 1949 the Tokyo NODAI Educational Corporation was founded to manage the university under the School Education Law and the Private School Law. The Faculty of Agriculture consisted of the following eight departments: Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Science, Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Landscape Gardening, and Cooperatives.

1953

Set up of the Graduate Course with Master courses in Agriculture and Agricultural Economics

1960

Realization of the Educational Principle which attaches importance to practical training

Atsugi Farm (present Atsugi Campus), Ninomiya Citrus Farm, Fuji Farm, Abashiri Farm, Miyako Farm and many other farms and university forests were set up, thereby enhancing educational systems focused on practical exercises.

1966

The first step towards international academic exchange

Tokyo NODAI made an academic exchange agreement with Michigan State University, USA, taking the initial step in its internationalization. As of 2007, the sister universities extend to 18 universities in 18 countries (one sister per country).

1998

Start of Atsugi Campus under a new 6-faculty, 19-department organization

To address food, the environment, resources and energy sources, and health issues, the Faculty of Agriculture was reorganized into a more enhanced system comprising the Faculties of Agriculture, Applied Bio-Science, Regional Environment Science, International Agriculture and Food Studies, and Bio-Industry and Junior College, making a total of 19 departments in 6 faculties.

2001

The 110th anniversary of the founding

The 1st International Students Summit, The 1st Tokyo NODAI Coming Day

2006

Tokyo University of Agriculture was accreditated by the Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA) for meeting the JUAA University Standard.

2014

Set up of Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety in Faculty of Applied Bioscience