Asahikawa Medical University was founded at the behest of the national government in November 1973 as the first national medical university to improve regional medical services and welfare and reduce urban-rural medical care differences.
Since it was founded, Asahikawa Medical University has produced 4,031 graduates from the Medical Course and 1,201 graduates from the Nursing Course, many of whom are employed at the vanguard of community medicine, research institutes, and administrative bodies.
To nurture individuals who can contribute to medical care in Hokkaido, we set aside approximately half the quota for the Medical Course for the selective medical school admission policy, which is open to prospective students from Hokkaido. As a result, 60% of newly registered students are from this prefecture. At the same time, medical education in Japan, like other educational branches, is becoming globalized and must meet international educational accreditation standards, so we designed a new curriculum, which began to be used with students enrolled in AY 2015.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) announced the new definitions of national universities' missions specializing in medical science on December 18, 2013, and health science (nursing science, medical technology, interdisciplinary and restricted) on April 21, 2014. The process of redefining missions was conducted based on the discussions between MEXT and each national university, taking objective data concerning levels of research, educational achievement, and university-industry collaboration. Through these discussions, each national university's strengths, characteristics, and social roles were clarified. Based on the redefined missions, we aim to fulfill our social responsibilities by strengthening our unique characteristics, developing education, research, medicine, and fostering motivated medical professionals.
To nurture medical care professionals and researchers who have a real sense of compassion and broad academic perspectives, uphold the dignity of life, have high ethical standards, and strive to acquire a high level of knowledge and techniques. To educate medical care professionals who contribute to the improvement of health and welfare in the local community. To train medical and nursing students to fulfill a constructive role in the international community through education, research, and health-care activities.
Asahikawa Medical University Hospital is an advanced treatment hospital with sophisticated and diverse medical functions. For example, we are equipped with a heliport for an air ambulance covering the northern area of Hokkaido, and we are a cooperative base hospital for the Air Ambulance Project. Asahikawa Medical University Emergency and Critical Care Center is also available 24 hours a day for emergency medical needs. We have also started the full-scale operation of emergency response vehicles to save the lives of local people and offer junior residents opportunities to develop as medical professionals.
As a critical regional hospital, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital includes a regional cancer care coordination core hospital, a hepatic disease care liaison hospital, and a perinatal medical center. We are noted as being an advanced medical center in Hokkaido.
Ever-progressing medical science and medical care, as well as advances in computer and robotic technology, make it possible to develop new diagnoses and treatments. These techniques are expected to improve drastically in the future. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine will soon be taken for granted. Japan's population has been aging at the fastest pace in the world. People over the age of 65 accounts for 25 percent of all citizens, and the nature of medical care required changes. It is predicted that medical care and medical systems will differ drastically from what they are today.
We are determined to nurture exceptional research-minded medical individuals who can think flexibly and consider multiple perspectives to deal with the full gamut of medical needs required by regional communities. As a think tank in the local community, we aspire to solve various problems around us, applying our strengths and expertise. Looking ahead to the next decade, we are optimistic that we can fulfill our goals of giving hope to our care's precious lives.
