Announcement of the Establishment of the Research Center for Advanced Information Science and Technology
President Tsunoyama of the University of Aizu held a press conference at the Fukushima Prefectural Government Office on January 16,
to announce that the University would establish the Research Center for Advanced Information Science and Technology (CAIST) on April 1
of the next fiscal year. The center will launch research "Clusters" for specific purposes and will use
its advanced computer science and technology to promote research responding diverse social needs in active cooperation with
other universities, companies and research institutions. The center also aims to become a center of excellence regarding the creation and
development of industry in the region.
In April, the Aizu Research Cluster for Space Science (ARC-Space) will start its activities, followed by
the Cluster for Local Environment and Informatics (ARC-Environment), and the Cluster for Medical Engineering and Informatics.
Faculty members will be assigned to the clusters independent of the framework of laboratories.
ARC-Space will address the supplies of software to support deep space exploration in the geoinformatics, geographic information systems,
and image processing areas, based on past research achievements of the University. Furthermore, the cluster will promote the transfer of
technologies acquired through its space development to high-tech industries in collaboration with local businesses.
ARC-Environment will conduct local meteorological analysis in Aizu area. The data provided by the cluster will be used for preventive
measures against disasters and damage to agricultural products, which are projects expected to enhance agriculture and environmental comfort
in the region.
ARC-Medical will support further development of medical-device manufacturing in Fukushima Prefecture, which ranked 4th in product
shipment value in the nation, and will foster human resources to be active in multidisciplinary areas in medical science and computer
science.
