Greetings from the Dean

Hokkaido University School of Medicine was established in 1919 as the School of Medicine of Hokkaido Imperial University. It is one of Japan’s most prestigious medical schools, boasting a rich history and tradition, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. To date, the school has produced some 10,000 graduates of whom around 6,500 are currently active as physicians, medical researchers, and other professionals across Japan and the world.

Efforts have been made to maximize clinical training during the fifth and sixth years of the medical education provided at the School of Medicine. In 2017, a clinical clerkship program was launched in cooperation with around 50 hospitals across Hokkaido. To promote medical education reform, a curriculum committee was established, in which students also participate. This initiative fosters two-way educational system reform through collaboration between students and faculty members. In October 2022, the School of Medicine underwent evaluation by the Japan Accreditation Council for Medical Education and was certified as meeting international standards for medical education. Receiving external accreditation for the quality of education at the School of Medicine from an international perspective is crucial to further promote student exchange programs abroad and support graduates wishing to pursue medical careers overseas.

The graduate school was established in 1955 as the Graduate School of Medicine at Hokkaido University. In 2017, Hokkaido University abolished the former graduate school system, which integrated both educational and research functions, and established two independent divisions: the graduate school to which graduate students belong, and the faculty to which faculty members are affiliated. This system creates a global graduate education framework that can organically respond to changing social conditions and students’ needs.

Graduate education at the Graduate School of Medicine allows faculty members of the Faculty of Medicine and other faculties within the University to work together in conducting world-class, cutting-edge research. This system provides a high-quality educational environment for students at the Graduate School of Medicine, fostering the growth and development of both graduate students as members of the Graduate School and faculty members as part of the Faculty of Medicine. At the university, conducting cutting-edge research within the Faculty of Medicine is essential to provide quality education. This commitment aligns with the philosophy of the Graduate School of Medicine: “to lead the world with cutting-edge research in medical science, and to equip the next generation of medical researchers and medical professionals with a strong sense of ethics and a well-rounded character to contribute to the health and welfare of humanity.” By receiving education under faculty members of the Faculty of Medicine who are conducting cutting-edge research, students at the Graduate School of Medicine are expected to achieve the educational goal of “helping students develop advanced levels of knowledge and research skills in the fields of medical and life sciences and profound insights that meet the needs of society.”

Amidst the rapid changes in the social environment surrounding universities, we aim to continually develop the Faculty of Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine with a clear vision of the future of education, research, and clinical practice. The Faculty of Medicine will contribute to Hokkaido University’s pursuit of excellence through the deepening of knowledge and the extension of research results through community collaboration.

April 1, 2025

TANAKA Shinya, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine