Open Campus Day at the Brand New Dinosaur Studies Department!

Campus next to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

Fukui is famous for dinosaur fossils, and dinosaur-related news always catches my eye. Recently, I heard the news about the open campus at Fukui Prefectural University. Various media covered the event, with the spotlight on Japan's first "Department of Dinosaur Studies" scheduled to open next year.

The Department of Dinosaur Studies is expected to offer two curriculums: the "Dinosaur and Paleontology Course" and the "Geology and Paleoenvironment Course." The department will have 30 students across both courses. The open campus was so popular with participants from all over the country. Due to the overwhelming interest, an online information session without a participant limit will be held on Saturday, September 21st, at 10 AM.

Learning about Ancient Times, Applying the Knowledge to the  Modern World

In the Dinosaur Studies Department, students will study various aspects related to dinosaurs, including the climate, flora, fauna, and geological conditions of the era. The knowledge gained in the department could be applied to various fields. For example, it is said that the CO2 levels during the time of the dinosaurs were higher than today. Understanding the world with high CO2 levels can help in addressing current environmental issues. Additionally, this knowledge could be applied to expand educational tourism resources, similar to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Graduates from the Dinosaur Studies Department are expected to excel in various fields.

How Did Fukui Become Famous for Dinosaurs?

Fukui’s fame for dinosaur fossils dates back to 1982 when a local middle school student found a fossil. A few years later it was identified as a dinosaur fossil, and persistent excavation, research, and collection of specimens since then made Fukui a leading site for the fossil discovery and research. Today, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Dinosaur Research Institute affiliated to Fukui Prefectural University work closely in research and education. Last year, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum became one of the "world's three great dinosaur museums,"  attracting 800,000 visitors.