Message from the Dean

Nutrition is essential for sustaining human life and health, and food consumption is a fundamental part of this activity. Fortunately, our country is blessed with a wide variety of food items, and, for better or worse, we have unparalleled freedom in our food choices. Simultaneously, socio-economic factors and the increasing global demand for food have created significant food and nutrition disparities, both domestically and internationally. For individuals to maintain and improve their health in such an environment, they must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to maintain a good relationship between food and health. Additionally, the community must improve the food environment and innovate healthy food products. Furthermore, creating a society in which people can easily choose and enjoy healthy food as a matter of course, without any special awareness, could be an ultimate goal. Many food and nutrition professionals are actively working on these issues.

The Graduate School of Health and Nutrition at the University of Niigata Prefecture was established in April 2023 to cultivate human resources capable of playing central roles in this area. This graduate school is designed to accommodate not only new graduates seeking specialized knowledge and skills in various fields but also working professionals, such as registered dietitians, who are already active in their respective practice fields. We provide a learning environment that is accessible and convenient for working professionals.

Education and research at our graduate school are divided into three fields: “Health and Nutrition,” “Food Development,” and “Health and Nutrition Policy.” The program aims to nurture advanced professionals with the practical expertise to collaborate with relevant personnel. We believe that these professionals will be responsible for food and nutrition management, basic and applied research, innovation related to food and nutrition functions, and the planning and operation of administrative systems and policies to maintain and promote human health through food.

Naohito Tanabe
Dean, Graduate School of Health and Nutrition
University of Niigata Prefecture