Future Value Creation through Informatics by Advancing Research and Operation in Tandem
As Japan's only general academic research institution seeking to create future value in the new discipline of informatics, the National Institute of Informatics (NII) seeks to advance integrated research and development activities in information-related fields, including networking, software, and content. These activities range from theoretical and methodological work to applications. As an inter-university research institute, NII promotes the creation of a state-of-the-art academic-information infrastructure (the Cyber Science Infrastructure, or CSI) that is essential to research and education within the broader academic community, with a focus on partnerships and other joint efforts with universities and research institutions throughout Japan, as well as industries and civilian organizations. Founded in April 2000, the NII marked its new beginning in April 2004 as a member of the Research Organization of Information and Systems.
Advancing integrated research and education in the field of informatics
Informatics is a new academic discipline based not just only on computer science and information technology, but on the human, social, and life sciences. The NII advances informatics research with the goals of creating future value; furthering social and public contributions; promoting interdisciplinary approaches to information processing; partnerships among industry, government, academic, and civilian organizations; and international research activities and operations. The NII has established four research divisions, seven research centers, the Organization for Management and Outside Collaboration on R&D, and the Collaborative Research Unit.
Promoting the Cyber Science Infrastructure (CSI)
The NII advances the formation and operation of the CSI, a state-of-the-art academic-information infrastructure. Through these efforts, the entire research organization - comprising the Organization for Scientific Network Operations and Coordination and the Organization for Scientific Resources Operations and Coordination, that which plan and manage partnerships and cooperation with universities and other institutions throughout Japan; the Cyber Science Infrastructure Development Department, that which handles development and operation of information systems; and the research centers that promotes researcher participation and incorporation of the results of research - contributes to the academics community.
Creating future value
Seeking to establish a new academic discipline through long-range promotion and systemization of a broad range of informatics research, ranging from the natural sciences through the human and social sciences, the NII contributes to informatics development by creating future value (ranging from theoretical and methodological work through applications) throughout the discipline.
Social and public contributions
The NII seeks to achieve harmony between society, culture, and social systems, in addition to creating platforms and portals that encourage the establishment, searching, and use of content to develop, and enliven, and disseminate academic, cultural, educational, publishing, and environmental activities, as well as the social and public activities of localities, nonprofit organizations, and other entities.
Interdisciplinary approach to information processing
The NII promotes cross-functional interdisciplinary research and promotes synergistic efforts between academic disciplines to enable progress in new and developing domains. Established in April 2005 at the Research Organization of Information and Systems, the Transdisciplinary Research Integration Center undertakes interdisciplinary research across a broad range of fields, seeking to elucidate issues in the life and earth system sciences.
Partnerships among industry, government, and academic sectors
The NII enjoys close ties to and works in close partnership with universities and public and private research institutions. Joint efforts include research projects and human resource development, as well as activities promoting the utilization of research results based on partnerships with civilian organizations, as represented by localities and nonprofit organizations.
International research activities
The NII strives to expand its informational reach to the international community through the sharing of academic information with overseas researchers and conducting joint research with overseas research institutions. Such efforts are based on memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on international exchange concluded with universities and research institutions from around the world. The NII also engages in the development of an infrastructure for international distribution of scientific information and international academic networks.
Graduate education and human resource development
At the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, the NII has established an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Informatics to achieve mid-to long-term growth -, both qualitative and quantitative -, in researchers and engineers in the field of informatics. The NII has established a base for development of developing strategic human resources and seeks to train engineers with the skills to link the spheres of industrial and academic research.
