Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School

Foundation, Location and Development

The School of Medicine was founded in October 1978, and accepted its first year students of 100 in April 1980. The number of enrollment as of April 2009 has risen to 560. In October 1983, the University Hospital started its medical services. In 1986, the Graduate School started with an enrollment 29 students, as and has come to an enrollment of 105 students as of April 2009. Kagawa Medical University became Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine on October 2003.

The campus is located on a low hill to the southeast of Takamatsu City, capital of Kagawa prefecture. On clear days，the central part of the City and the Seto Inland Sea can be seen in the distance from the campus. The campus is surrounded with ponds and greenery rich with bird and insect life. The weather is warm throughout a year. Thus the campus offers a quiet and favorable environment for education and research.

Behind the Medical School's foundation lies a basic idea to develop a unique school of medicine where research and services are conducted in a way to bring about great effects for humanity. Concurrently, the School should keep abreast of medical progress at large as well as varied social developments by rendering its services to surrounding communities.

Objectives of Education

1. Learning and training of fundamental knowledge and techniques required to understand and solve individual as well as communal, health problems.
2. Acquiring an attitude for self-training and evaluation in medical science as a medical doctor.
3. Learning medicine as a whole; not limited to physical or mental treatment only, but inclusive of social well being of individuals.

National Examination and Postgraduate Training

During the six school years, students fulfill credits necessary for the premedical as well as the medical courses. Upon graduation, they are qualified to sit for the National Examination as a License of Medical Practice. More than 90% of the graduates successfully pass the Examination. Graduates who intend to become medical practitioners after obtaining a license are required to take a postgraduate training course at the School Hospital or at other related ones. They have the liberty to choose one of their interests. Graduates who intend to become researchers in medical science areas are recommended to go on to graduate schools, either here in Kagawa or at other institutions elsewhere. The entrance examination here is held in February each year prior to the graduation from the Undergraduate School.

Some Characteristics of Curricula

1. Undergraduate Education

The courses help medical students lay a foundation of knowledge necessary to understand intricate human nature. There were several features in undergraduate education such as the lectures by the Department of Endocrinology and the Department of Maternal and Children's Medical Center with the Obstetric Unit and the Neonatal Care Unit, both of which were unique departments in Japan. Students are urged to develop further social awareness through a comprehensive course of lectures on humanities and social sciences.

2. Graduate School Education

Besides the basic idea mentioned earlier, the School's principal aims can be explained as follows:

1. To help developing skills to carry out original research in medical sciences.
2. To help to grow either academically or professionally so as to contribute to the advancement of medical sciences.

3. The University Hospital

1. Provision of medical training in practical primary care for both students and doctors through outpatient clinics of the medical and surgical systems.
2. Unique departments such as Anesthesiology & Emergency Medicine and Medical Systems Management.
3. A system of on-call night service. This aims at developing a spirit of autonomy, independence and cooperation in students through actual practice at the emergency and delivery rooms. It also helps them become aware of the fact that medicine is a 24 hour profession.