大学案内｜ABOUT MDU

　The graduation and certificate presentation ceremony of Matsumoto Dental University (MDU) and Matsumoto Dental University, School of Dental Hygiene, for the academic year 2005 was held on Thursday March 9th. The ceremony was held jointly by the Dentistry Department, the Graduate School of Dental Science and the School of Dental Hygiene for the first time, to honor the 135 students who completed their studies. Two students from the intake of the first academic year completed their courses in the Graduate School of Dental Science in only three years because of their exceptional research achievements. They became noted first and second students who received a doctorate at MDU's graduate school.

　Tadashi Yagasaki, manager of the Chif Executive Director at MDU, presented a speech titled "Challenging spirits" to the freshmen. He stressed how important it is to understand the philosophy of MDU and mission and the meaning of MDU in society. Mr. Yagasaki encouraged the new students to attain the basic knowledge that is required to study dental science during the first year, while sharing life together in the newly constructed Campus Inn and to have a clear vision of the ideal dental student.

　Shiojiri held a forum called "Industry, academia and citizen's forum on education" on Monday March 20th in Shiojiri. The director of MDU, Hidehiro Ozawa, was one of the panelists and he presented his opinions. The three other members of the panel were Yasuo Tanaka, the governor of Nagano Prefecture; Morinobu Endo, a professor in the technology department of Shinshu University; and Seiji Hanaoka, the president and representative director of Seiko Epson Corp. Mr. Ozawa talked about what dental science is and expressed his views on matters such as problems that universities are encountering and the importance of education of babies and infants, from the viewpoint of educational institutions. Many citizens and people with some connection with education attended the forum and listened intently to the opinions of the panelists.

　MDU hospital opened a general dental department in April by merging the operative treatment, prosthetic treatment and the oral surgery sections. This is to respond to the requirements of clinical training for dental clinicians and new university curriculums. Groups consisting of dentist instructors, trainee dentists, dental hygienists, clinical trainees and others provide dental treatment.

　MDU School of Dental Hygiene held a capping ceremony for the 30th academic year students of the Dental Hygiene Department on Tuesday February 28th in the lecture hall. The students received caps which are the symbol of dental hygienists at the ceremony, to be ready for the commencement of clinical training which starts in April at the MDU hospital. The director, Etsuo Kasahara, presented a pale pink cap to each of the 30th academic year students.

　MDU hosted a meeting of Shiojiri Chamber of Commerce and Industry called "Industry, academia and government collaboration for manufacturing in Shiojiri" in the evening. Many people from companies in Shiojiri attended the meeting and listened to reports on projects materialized through collaboration between the three sectors. Some projects participated in by MDU research staff were also reported, attracting the attention of people present.