August 8,2007
The Kobe University
The University of Hyogo
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Kobe University,University of Hyogo and JAMSTEC
Conclude Comprehensive Agreement on Educational Research

The Kobe University (Ph.D. Tomoyuki Nogami, President), the University of Hyogo (Dr. Nobuaki Kumagai, President) and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC: Mr. Yasuhiro Kato, President) have concluded comprehensive agreement on educational research on August 8.

In March this year, RIKEN announced that a next-generation supercomputer facility to be located in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Human resource development is a main pillar for use of the next-generation supercomputer which is currently under development; therefore, Kobe University and University of Hyogo are going to put emphasis on educational research.

JAMSTEC has been utilized the Earth Simulator for five years. As well as prediction of global environmental changes which is the initial primary objective, the Earth Simulator contributes to various studies which promote the development of industries, and made high-level and high-accuracy simulation possible in the wide range of fields. Along with that, JAMSTEC's performances of simulation study and human resource development have been proven through the use of the world advanced supercomputer.

In order to make best use of these performances and promote effective and efficient use of supercomputer, JAMSTEC concludes agreement with Kobe University and University of Hyogo to cooperate for mutual exploitation of R & D ability and human resources.

Description of the agreement

1.Title:

Comprehensive Agreement of the Kobe University, the University of Hyogo and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology on educational research

2.Concluded between:

Kobe University President, Ph.D. Tomoyuki Nogami
University of Hyogo President, Dr. Nobuaki Kumagai
JAMSTEC President, Mr. Yasuhiro Kato

3.Scope and details of cooperation

Cooperate in three major ways described below on educational research utilizing the next-generation supercomputer.
(1) Collaboration research
(2) Human resource development
(3) Human resource exchange
Further details will be discussed at a tripartite council, which is to be formed soon. For the starter, JAMSTEC considers to take in researchers and students from both universities and conduct educational research utilizing the Earth Simulator. Through this effort, it is expected that researchers who can utilize the Earth Simulator and the next-generation supercomputer effectively and efficiently increase.

"The Earth Simulator"(http://www.jamstec.go.jp/esc/)

The supercomputer developed by National Space Development Agency of Japan, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (names at the point of development), which can create a virtual Earth and simulate atmosphere, ocean and solid earth in high speed and high accuracy. It is developed and used for the forecast / solution of the medium- and long-term environmental changes and natural disaster. It is also used in the fields of advanced technology such as biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Contact:

(Kobe University)

Graduate School of Engineering Professor, Nobuyuki Kaya
*For publication Public Relation Manager, Tomoyuki Sugiyama

(University of Hyogo)

Vice-president, Yutaka Suzuki
*For publication Planning Department, Manager, Etsuo Ootsuka

(JAMSTEC)

Planning Department Tsuyoshi Ogawa
*For publication Planning Department, Press Office, Manager, Shinji Oshima
(mail to: press@jamstec.go.jp )