The concept of the present Global COE Program, “Interdisciplinary Studies on Environmental Chemistry” is to create an outstanding center for promoting advanced world-class research on chemical pollution by performing various in-depth studies on wide ranging disciplines of environmental chemistry at the laboratories of CMES in collaboration with highly talented senior scientists and young researchers especially from the Asian developing countries. To accomplish this goal, we will be utilizing the academic and research oriented facilities and programs such as “Training Program for Young Scientists”, “Environmental Specimen Bank (es-BANK)”, “Asian Environmental Scientists Network” and “Network for Academic Exchange with Foreign Research Institutes”. Furthermore, the fundamental concept of Global COE Program is to promote interdisciplinary and international researches and education systems, and to be a source for developing novel and high ranking research themes. This can concurrently develop and multiply the talents of the young scientists, create ripple effects and form a positive spiral leading to the establishment of world-class Asian intelligence center of Environmental Chemistry.

The purpose of the academic program in the present COE is to strengthen the interdisciplinary skills of international standards for young researchers. We are aiming at forming an advanced center that can gather excellent young researchers from Japan and abroad and produce highly competent experts, by fostering the talents of persons who can promote environmental philosophy, contribute to the local, regional and global societies, and manage an organization as a team leader. The concrete programs are planned as follows:

On the other hand, the purpose of our research activities is to construct an outstanding scientific center for promoting world-class research on chemical pollution and to perform in-depth studies on environmental chemistry. In order to attain the above goals, the present COE program aims to promote various research activities in the Asian region, which is now experiencing increasing environmental problems and also well recognized as a significant global source for pollution of persistent toxic substances (PTS). For implementing our plans effectively, we will carry-out creative and strategic research programs by expanding the network of scientists and research institutions all over the world and by utilizing the environmental and biological samples in our es-BANK. This COE program plans the following three major research projects on environmental pollution and the adverse biological effects of PTS such as

Under the leadership of the President, Ehime University, aiming at creating an excellent university with a corporate identity, we make excellent efforts to establish world-class academic centers by strengthening education and research in particular fields such as area studies, environmental sciences and life sciences and by systematically supporting the research groups having exceptional qualities. The present Global COE Program is recognized as a highly important project to realize and further develop the long-term academic strategy of Ehime University.