research function to contribute to the community, various measures were taken, such as: operation of academic research funding system for on-campus researches; promotion of the Five Major Project Researches; establishment of strategic community revitalization organization; support for application for scientific research subsidy funding; and establishing a code of research ethics.

Five Major Project Researches

Academic year 2007 was the final year in the three-year research plan, and efforts were made to achieve the project goals.

1. Terahertz Application Research Project

As a result of research system enhancement through employment of new researchers, terahertz spectrometry methods were established, for which two patent applications were submitted, two research papers were published, and three academic conference presentations were made.

2. Research Project on the Declining Birthrate and Aging Population

With Tono as the field for research, systems for child-rearing support, health enhancement support, end-of-life care support, and watching over the elderly, were developed, operated, and evaluated.

3. Research Project on the Environment

In collaboration with Oshu City, a symposium on coproductive communities was held. With "the environment" as a key word, researches on the ecosystem of the Kitakami River and the soil and water contamination were conducted.

4. Project for the Professional Advancement of Regional Specialists

Distance education materials on "genetic nursing" and "human service occupations such as social welfare work" have been developed, and distance education courses and experiments were conducted. E-learning materials for the embedded system software engineers training course were enhanced. Furthermore, for the operation of these systems, the Distance Education Support System Promotion Room was established.

5. Common Creation Media Research Project

The IPU Community FM Radio Station Preparation Meeting was held, and the "plan for the establishment of community broadcasting led by IPU" was decided upon. In addition, business plans were made for the establishment of a community FM broadcasting station by an NPO, and experimental broadcasting was conducted by the IPU FM Establishment Promotion Committee.

Strategic Community Revitalization Organization (Project Laboratory)

In academic year 2007, 3 new laboratories were established, for a total of 8 laboratories. In addition, 22 outside researchers such as visiting professors were hired.

1. Terahertz Application Laboratory

As a result of research system enhancement through employment of new researchers, terahertz spectrometry methods were established, for which two patent applications were submitted, two research papers were published, three international academic conference presentations, and one academic conference lecture were made. In addition, Terahertz Application Study Meeting was held 3 times and research results were exchanged.

2. Embedded System Technology Laboratory

A joint research with a new private company was conducted on the testing of embedded system software.  Furthermore, there were many efforts such as promotion of embedded system education, giving technical advice to local companies using embedded system technologies, and exchanging information at embedded system study meetings with local companies and researchers.  Outside research funding of 6,640,000 yen for joint research with 2 private companies, and 6,568,000 yen from Iwate Industry Promotion Center for commissioned projects, for a total of 13,208,000 yen, was received.

3. Advanced Research Institute of Software Strategies

Many researches were conducted, such as: "Research on User-Oriented Development Methods," "Research on Maintenance-Free, Flexible/Adjustable Software Development Methods," and "Research on Bug-Free Software Development Technologies for PPM Order." In addition, the ARISES Meeting in Rome was held to discuss the researches.

4. Community Disaster Prevention Information Laboratory

Many researches were conducted, such as: "Development of a Large-Scale Decentralized Disaster Prevention and Disaster Information Network, Using JGN2," "Research and Development of Hot-Air Balloon Wireless Network," and "Realization of a Real-Time Communication for Image and Sound Transmission over the Disaster Prevention and Disaster Information Network." Outside research funding of 1,050,000 yen for commissioned researches from private companies; 7,650,000 yen in government subsidies for scientific research, and 1,989,000 yen from JST Technological Seeds Discovery, for a total of 10,689,000 yen, was received.

5. Advanced Data Transmission Laboratory

Many researches were conducted, such as: "Instant Infrared Communications Distribution System," "Hybrid Communication System with Infrared Broadcasting and Radio Wireless Communication," "Infrared Security System," and "New Watching-Over System."  Outside research funding of 5,000,000 yen, for joint research with 2 private companies, was received.

6. Industrial Media Laboratory

To examine new broadcast media contents, research was conducted on special technologies at factories in Iwate and abroad. In addition, for preservation of media contents, video recordings of Iwate's manufacturing technologies were collected and preserved.

7. Advanced Visualization Laboratory

Research and development of artificial joint compatibility simulation was conducted, and a system for pre-operational plan for artificial joints that includes this simulation function is being developed. In addition, 3-D image visualization system software has been developed and is marketed as a commercial product. Outside research funding of 41,184,000 yen, from JST University Venture Creation Promotion Project, was received.

8. Community Planning Institute

This institute was established in February 2008, to improve the ability of those in charge of policy planning, and to support specific policy planning, by cooperating with local authorities. Main activities include: research and proposals on community planning (think-tank function), support for improvement of problem-solving and policy-making abilities of local authorities and those involved in community planning (educational function), etc. In April 2008, the Morioka City Community Planning Institute was established within the Community Planning Institute; it was joined by two researchers from Morioka City, and municipal administration issues and new policy making of Morioka are being studied.