The third decade of the twenty-first century started and rapid change of circumstances surrounding drug and the medical treatment can expected by the technologies in science (biotechnology, AI, robotics, fine processing, etc.) and information and communication (5G, IoT, big-data, etc.). But in fact, it started under new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 deeply affected not only world economy but also our life style such as human exchange and education. We have to overcome the pandemic to acquire new normal. In the field of pharmaceutical development, innovative drug research and development against refractory diseases including cancer and major neurocognitive disorder should be pursued. You are going to study or studying at Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Chiba University under the circumstances as mentioned above.

The pharmaceutical sciences are a division of the natural sciences that seek to comprehensively study life and health through drugs. We offer a six-year program at the Department of Pharmacy that qualifies students as candidates for a national examination for pharmacists and a four-year program at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences that prepares students for research positions. With their research abilities and pharmacist’s qualification, graduates from the Department of Pharmacy program can assume a leadership role as practicing pharmacists or as pharmaceutical professionals in education, research, governance, drug development, and other fields. The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences program trains students to become drug discovery specialists and life scientists. Most of them go to graduate school and finally can actively serve on the front lines of the global stage at corporations, public research institutions, and universities.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Chiba University has cultivated a long history and tradition since its foundation 130 years ago, and to this day, continues to be one of the preeminent schools of pharmacy in Japan. In the course of our long history, both the undergraduate and graduate programs have played major roles in advancing pharmaceutical sciences in Japan and have engaged in extremely high-level education and research, even compared with international standards. Many graduates of both programs have gone on to become leaders in corporations, health care establishments, universities, and government agencies, both in Japan and overseas.

Enhanced Network for Global Innovative Education (ENGINE) program starts from fiscal 2020. Please enjoy the cultural exchange and research programs by regarding the program not as duty but as way to grow yourself. At the lower class, please gain basic academic knowledge and skills such as logical thinking and reading comprehension by learning languages, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. After that, please study specialized subjects and grow the research mind for what you are interested in and the ethics. Positive attitude by yourself opens the way even if the failure. I hope you to become a human resource that contributes to society by solving the problems of drug and the medical treatment based on the knowledge of the pharmaceutical sciences.