About Arid Land Research Center
Message from the Director
The Arid Land Research Center (ALRC) was established in Tottori University on June 8, 1990, as a facility for joint nationwide usage. ALRC's predecessor was the Sand Dune Research Institute, which was affiliated with the university's Faculty of Agriculture and traces its roots back to 1923, very soon after the Faculty of Agriculture's predecessor, the Agricultural College of Tottori, was founded. ALRC thus started out as a facility for studying agricultural uses for the Tottori sand dunes and other similar dune areas in Japan. Now, however, ALRC serves as a core research and education facility for joint usage by researchers in the field of arid land science and pursues research that contributes to maintaining and enhancing the sustainability of natural and social systems of arid lands by addressing issues such as desertification and drought.
ALRC is the only research facility in Japan to focus systematically on arid land research, and has to date been selected for the 21st Century Centers of Excellence (COE) and Global COE Program. It was recognized as a Joint Usage / Research Center (Arid Land Sciences) by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2009, and has served in this official capacity since 2010.
ALRC's goals as a Joint Usage / Research Center for arid land sciences are as follows:
We will continue to work for the sustainable development of the world's arid lands and also conduct basic research aimed at elucidating the mysteries of arid lands. We look forward to receiving your continued support.
ALRC is the only research facility in Japan to focus systematically on arid land research, and has to date been selected for the 21st Century Centers of Excellence (COE) and Global COE Program. It was recognized as a Joint Usage / Research Center (Arid Land Sciences) by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2009, and has served in this official capacity since 2010.
ALRC's goals as a Joint Usage / Research Center for arid land sciences are as follows:
- Promotion of joint research by Japanese and overseas researchers
- Joint usage of ALRC research facilities and equipment
- Nurturing of young researchers
- Creation of an international network of researchers and promotion of discourse and interchange among researchers
- Promotion of activities that make a contribution to society
We will continue to work for the sustainable development of the world's arid lands and also conduct basic research aimed at elucidating the mysteries of arid lands. We look forward to receiving your continued support.
February 2011
Atushi Tsunekawa
Director, Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University
