Shimane University

Shimane University (島根大学, Shimane Daigaku?) - colloquially known as Shima-dai (島大) - is a national university in Japan. Although formally established as a university in 1949, Shima-dai's origins date back to the late 19th century. In 2003 the university merged with the Shimane Medical University (established in 1975). The university is a multi-disciplinary university, with faculties in law & literature, education, medicine, science & engineering, and life & environmental science. The university also has graduate schools in humanities & social sciences, education, medical research, science & engineering, life & environmental science, and law. The university has approximately 6,000 students (including over 750 post-graduate and doctoral students), more than 750 academic staff and over 400 support staff. The university was the first public university in Japan to establish an interdisciplinary department integrating natural sciences and engineering. The university's motto is 'Shimane University - growing with people and with the region' (人とともに　地域とともに　島根大学).