As we are getting ready to celebrate the 125th anniversary at Waseda University in 2007, we are in the midst of conducting a major reform that is expected to be significant in the history of our university. We are promoting creative research and accelerating the introduction of new educational systems, while better defining the spirit of enterprise and the independence of academic learning, which have been the guiding principle of our university since its founding. The Consolidated Research Institute for Advanced Science and Medical Care, Waseda University (ASMeW), was established in this reformative environment. It is a research institute established to make contributions to medical engineering, medical science, and life science. At ASMeW, we bring together the fields of cutting-edge medical science research, health science, and sports science. We are making an effort to promote combined programs of humanities and science that will provide ambitious young researchers from both inside and outside of this university a chance to fully develop their talents and become world leaders in their respective fields. One of the main aims of the Institute for Biomedical Engineering (BME Institute) , which will serve as the central organization of ASMeW, is to form synergistic partnerships with other medical schools and research institutions in Japan to ensure the progress of research in life science, health care and medical treatment, as a message from Waseda University to the world.

　ASMeW also includes Strategic Managememt Center (SMC) and the Institute for Management of Technology (MOT), which have been established to train a new type of researchers. Specifically, they will operate training programs designed to produce human resources equipped with high-level management and science communication skills along with the ability to conduct highly advanced research. We call these talented individuals Super Technology Officers (STO). Currently, about 10 young male and female researchers with doctorate degrees in science have been selected as STO candidates. In addition to being involved in the latest research, they are pursuing a study to earn the degree of MBA. The SMC, in succession to the Institute for MOT, will be developing a new curriculum (STO Curriculum) that combines studies in humanities and sciences to support the operational management of ASMeW. The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and the SMC are working in close cooperation within ASMeW to conduct flexible, effective research, education, and management. We expect ASMeW to produce a stream of STOs who will go on to make major contributions as globally competent leaders in the future.

　After World War II, Japan has made a dedicated effort to become a world leader in science and technology, and it retains its status to this day. To extend this initiative into the future, we need to explain the importance of promoting science and technology to the public, while at the same time attracting children’s interest in these fields. Young researchers at ASMeW are actively involved in sharing their firsthand experiences with children and making classroom visits intended to increase children’s understanding of science and technology. Such programs comprise another important aspect of ASMeW’s activities, and they have already produced substantial results.

　Currently, about 130 team members are working together on research and education at ASMeW, including roughly 50 ambitious, young researchers from other countries. With an approach based on the ASMeW slogan “Looking to Tomorrow”, members of our science and humanities faculties and research institutes are collaborating closely in making an integrated effort to create an innovative research group, never before existed at Waseda University. We sincerely request your continued encouragement and cooperation to materialize the dramatic changes yet to take place at Waseda!