Message from the Dean

The Graduate School of Health and Nutrition at the University of Niigata Prefecture was established in April 2023. This graduate school aims to nurture human resources who can contribute to the maintenance and promotion of people’s health through food in the local community. Education and research in this graduate school of consists of three main fields: health and nutrition, food development, and health and nutrition policy, and trains highly skilled professionals who can play a central role in each field. In the field of health and nutrition, we train professionals who can lead health management through nutrition management, nutrition education, and food service management at medical institutions, welfare facilities, schools, etc. In the field of food development, we train professionals who can develop food products with brand power utilizing regional characteristics at food companies and research institutes, and demonstrate and communicate the effectiveness of such products. In the field of health and nutrition policy, we train specialists who can formulate, evaluate, and improve effective systems and policies related to nutrition and food through understanding and analyzing the actual conditions of health and nutrition issues in local communities in Japan and abroad.

In Japan, the birthrate is declining and the population is aging rapidly. In addition, there is a mountain of issues related to health and food, such as shortages of agricultural products due to natural disasters and abnormal weather, price hikes, and epidemics of infectious diseases. How can we help people lead rich and healthy lives in such an environment? To address these challenges, we need people with advanced specialized knowledge and skills, the ability to analyze, propose, communicate, and practice based on scientific evidence. Not only new university graduates, but also dietitians and other professionals already active in the community, such as those working in medical institutions, government agencies, food companies, and overseas health support activities, are enrolled in our graduate school. Those who have enrolled in the program have done so in order to further develop their expertise and skills. This graduate school provides a learning environment that is easy for working students to study. The faculty and staff look forward to welcoming those who wish to contribute to the realization of a better society through food and to acquire new expertise.

Asako Tamura
Dean, Graduate School of Health and Nutrition
University of Niigata Prefecture