In February, 2007, Ehime University applied for the Global COE (Center of Excellence) Program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT). Despite the stiff competition, we were fortunate to succeed and the results were notified by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) on 15^th June, 2007.

Based on the evaluation and verification of the principal philosophy of 21^st Century COE Program which started in 2002, one of the principal goals of the Global COE Program of MEXT is to promote the creation of high ranking Universities, by supporting the establishment of graduate schools with internationally advanced expertise on education and research. Another focal point of this program is to foster the creative talents of high caliber research personnel under an environment of top ranking research facilities.

During the screening by MEXT, 63 outstanding centers from 30 Universities were selected from a pool of 281 centers representing 111 Universities. Among the five subject areas,“ Interdisciplinary, Combined Fields, New Disciplines” in which Ehime University applied had the highest competition with an acceptance rate of 8.8. In the Chugoku and Shikoku Districts, only 2 centers, one each from Ehime University and Tottori University succeeded in selection in a competition among 28 centers of 10 Universities. Ehime University was designated as one among the 11 highly evaluated outstanding centers and grants of about US $3.8 million were sanctioned for the first fiscal year (2007), which is a an exceptional honor for regional universities.

Following the 21^st Century COE Program, the present Global COE Program in Ehime University will be principally managed by the Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES). Prof. Shinsuke Tanabe will be the project leader. The purpose of the present Global COE Program, “Interdisciplinary Studies on Environmental Chemistry” is to establish 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 “Environmental Specimen Bank (es-BANK)”, “Network for Academic Exchange with Foreign Research Institutes”, etc.

It is very significant for young scientists from developing countries that world-class research and education on environmental sciences are available at Ehime, a small and convenient location with a mild climate in Japan. We believe that the present Global COE Program will certainly contribute to the realization of long-term plans of Ehime University such as making itself as a“Top level University” and “Producing leading academicians/researchers who can contribute globally”. In addition, we can provide excellent opportunities to prefectural high school students who are eager to join Ehime University, through activities of the present Global COE Program.

During the forthcoming five years, until March 2012, we will strive hard to attain the goals of Global COE Program on education and research, and would greatly appreciate your kind support and collaboration.