[Mission]

The NU-VBL is one of the 11 VBLs that were founded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 1995.  In 2004 it was reorganized as one of the institutes that consist the “Ecotopia Science Institute at Nagoya University”.  VBLs aim at lying the foundation and becoming a source of new, innovative, high technology based venture businesses in Japan by offering a unique type of education to its students.  Among 45 VBLs in activity in Japan as of 2004, the Nagoya University VBL has been specifically set up to focus on nanoprocess technology for highly multi-functional materials and devices as its central research topic.

[Objectives]

1. Research and development of nanoprocess technology that provides the basis for future innovations in the area of semiconductors,  micromachining, multimedia applications, computers and functional materials.
2. Multilevel education that enables the students to become creative scientists, talented engineers, as well as successful venture business entrepreneurs.
3. Excellent and state-of-the-art educational and research facilities that enable the students and teachers to reach the above mentioned objectives.

[VBL Principles]

Research and education at the Nagoya University VBL

1. fosters novel technological ideas and concepts that may initiate new venture businesses (technology-orientation)
2. is original, cross-disciplinary, and seeks excellence (creativity)
3. is open to novel ideas, developments, and fields (generality)
4. is open to researchers from within as well as from outside the campus and the country (openness).

To meet these principles, many exchange programs between Japan and foreign countries as well as international research collaborations have been set up.