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Nagoya University

Coordinates: 35°09′17″N 136°58′01″E / 35.15472°N 136.96694°E / 35.15472; 136.96694
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Nagoya City University.
Nagoya University
名古屋大学
Motto勇気ある知識人 (courageous intellectual)
TypePublic (national)
Established1871; 153 years ago (1871)
(Chartered 1939)
PresidentNaoshi Sugiyama
Academic staff
3,847 (2020)
Undergraduates9,585 (2020)
Postgraduates6,187 (2020)
Location
Nagoya
,
Aichi
,
Japan

35°09′17″N 136°58′01″E / 35.15472°N 136.96694°E / 35.15472; 136.96694
CampusUrban,
3.2 km²
ColorsPine Green  
Websiteen.nagoya-u.ac.jp Edit this at Wikidata

Nagoya University (名古屋大学, Nagoya daigaku), abbreviated to Meidai (名大) or NU,[1] is a Japanese national research university located in Chikusa-ku, Nagoya.

It was established in 1939 as the last of the nine Imperial Universities in the then Empire of Japan, and is now a Designated National University.

The university is the birthplace of the Sakata School of physics and the Hirata School of chemistry. As of 2021, seven Nobel Prize winners have been associated with Nagoya University, the third most in Japan and Asia behind Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo.[2][3]

History

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Nagoya Imperial University, one of the representative universities of the Japanese Empire.
Toyoda Auditorium, the landmark of Nagoya University, designed by Fumihiko Maki.
Nagoya University Higashiyama Campus. The university has produced seven Nobel Prize laureates in science.

Nagoya Imperial University was established as the last of the Imperial Universities in 1939 and was later renamed Nagoya University in 1947. Although relatively new as a university, it can trace its roots back to a Temporary Medical School/Public Hospital opened in 1871. Renowned for its contributions in physics and chemistry, the university has been the birthplace of notable scientific advancements such as the Sakata model, the PMNS matrix, the Okazaki fragment, Noyori asymmetric hydrogenation, and the Blue LED.

In March 2018, Nagoya University was chosen as one of the first five Designated National Universities. The Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, which became Japan's largest national higher education corporation, was formed by Nagoya University and Gifu University in April 2020. Both universities are prominent institutions in the Tōkai region.

The Nobel Prizes

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Nearly half of the Japanese Nobel laureates in Natural Sciences in the 21st century have ties to Nagoya University, either as alumni or researchers. Among the seven Nobel laureates associated with the university, four served as professors and three as alumni. The 2021 Nobel laureate in Physics, Syukuro Manabe, was a specially invited professor at Nagoya University from December 2007 to March 2014.[4]

Overview

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Ideals

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Nagoya University's Academic Charter emphasises nurturing courageous intellectuals through an education that values independent thought. The university is known for its 'freedom, openness, and enterprising' academic style. From its early days as Nagoya Imperial University, the principle of 'Harmony is to be valued' from the Seventeen-article constitution, championed by its first president, has been a guiding ethos.[5]

Student population

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While the majority of its students come from Tōkai region, Nagoya University has a good portion of students from all over Japan.

The school also has many students from abroad. As of 2021, the total student enrolment is 15,771, with a total of over 1,900 international students from more than 110 countries.[6]

Faculties and graduate schools

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Faculties

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Nagoya University name monument
  • Humanities
  • Education
  • Law and political science
  • Economics
  • Informatics
  • Science
  • Medicine
  • Engineering
  • Agriculture

Graduate schools

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Nagoya University Hospital
  • Humanities
  • Education and Human Development
  • Law and political science
  • Economics
  • Informatics
  • Science
  • Medicine
  • Engineering
  • Bioagricultural Sciences
  • International Development (GSID)
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Studies
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences

Research Institutes

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Nagoya University houses many research institutes, such as Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research (ISEE), Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability (IMaSS), and Kobayashi-Masakawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe (KMI). The university's Earthquake and Volcano Research Center is represented on the national Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction.[7]

Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM)

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ITbM was officially launched in April 2013, and is located in the Higashiyama campus of the university. It consists of a team of 14 principal investigators from within Nagoya University and other countries including Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and US.[8] ITbM has five research fields: 'Parasitic plants', 'Chemistry-enabled plant adaptation', 'Clock diseases', 'Chemistry-enabled bioimaging', and 'Nanocarbon chemistry and biology'.[9] Features of ITbM include having mix lab and offices, well-furnished with many high-quality instruments, and having English-speaking staff in the administration to facilitate the internationalization of the institute.[10] ITbM also conducts the International Symposium on Transformative Bio-molecules (ISTbM) yearly in Nagoya, and presents awards such as the Hirata Award and Tsuneko & Reiji Okazaki Award to promising scientists in the fields of organic chemistry and biology.[11]

Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research (ISEE)

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ISEE was established in October 2015, via the integration of the Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, the Hydrospheric Atmospheric Research Center, and the Center for Chronological Research,[12] and is recognised by MEXT as a "Joint Usage/Research Center".[13] ISEE consists of seven research divisions and three research centers, with interdisciplinary research (termed as 'fusion research') projects undergoing.[14] The institute aims to contribute to solving global environmental issues and the space-related advancement of mankind and society, while also furthering the cooperation between academia and industry.[12] International cooperation and collaborative research are key features of ISEE, including a yearly international symposium, the ISEE Summer Internship which accepts students from domestic and foreign universities, several ongoing international programs and projects, among many more.[15]

Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability (IMaSS)

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In 2004, the EcoTopia Science Institute was established through the restructuring and integration of several research centers, and was reorganized to NU's IMaSS in 2015.[16] Its aim is to contribute to achieving an ecological and sustainable society via research on energy conservation, ranging from topics of materials and device technologies to system technologies, and is also recognised by MEXT as a "Joint Usage/Research Center".[17] IMaSS consists of the Center for Integrated Research of Future Electronics (CIRFE), Advanced Measurement Technology Center (AMTC), Division of Materials Research (DM), Division of Systems Research (DS), two funded research divisions by Chubu Electric Power and Toyota Motor Corporation, and 10 industry–academia collaborative chairs.[17] IMaSS also actively promotes international collaboration and joint research, and has research agreements with institutes and universities from many countries across the world including China, Korea, US, France, Thailand, and many more.[18]

Kobayashi-Masakawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe (KMI)

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KMI was established in 2010 as an international research hub for interdisciplinary particle physics and astrophysics, and was named after 2008 Nobel Prize winners Makoto Kobayashi and Toshihide Masakawa.[19] It consists of two divisions, Division of Experimental Studies and Division of Theoretical Studies, and a new Internal Research Center for Flavor Physics was established in April 2023.[20] It has several international partner institutions such as Tel Aviv University and Yonsei University,[21] and also runs a JSPS Core-to-Core program 'DMNet' which focuses on dark matter research.[22] Many KMI members belong to laboratories from the university's Graduate School of Science, Graduate School of Mathematics and ISEE, and although the institute does not directly accept students, graduate students can work with KMI members and be involved in the research.[23]

Campus life

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Federation of Liberal Arts Circles

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The federation was founded in 1961, and aims to help facilitate "better communications between circles, increase in literacy of students, encourage better understanding of each other and enhance friendship, as well as promoting and developing cultural activities."[24] Some examples of circles in Nagoya University include tea ceremony, art, volunteering activities, music and dance, and literature, among the wide range of more than 60 circles officially registered.

Athletic Association

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The athletic association was founded in 1956, and currently has more than 50 member athletic clubs.[24]

Nagoya University and Osaka University hold regular Athletics Competition every year (名古屋大学・大阪大学対抗競技大会). In addition, the Seven Universities Athletic Meet (国立七大学総合体育大会, kokuritsu nana-daigaku sōgō taiiku-taikai)[25][26] has been held since 1962. The competition is commonly called the Competition of the Seven Imperial Universities (七帝戦, shichi-tei sen) or the national athletic meet of the seven former imperial universities (七大戦, Nanadai-sen).[27]

Nagoya University Festival "Meidai-sai"

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The university festival "Meidai-sai" is held every year in June since 1960, at the Higashiyama campus.[28] Each year, the festival boasts a wide variety of approximately 100 events and activities, including laboratory tours, presentations, and hands-on activities organised by clubs and circles.[24] Clubs and circles also set up food stalls selling various foods such as yakisoba (Japanese fried noodle dish) and kakigōri (shaved ice dessert).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Meidai-sai was held online for both years 2020 and 2021.[29]

Academic rankings

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University rankings
THE National[30] General 8
T. Reuters National[31] Research 5
WE [ja] National[32] Employment 38
NBP Hokuriku/Tokai[33] Reputation 1
Shimano National[34] Selectivity SA
QS Asia
(Asia version)[35]		 General 32=
THE Asia
(Asia version)[36]		 General 41
THE World[37] General 201–250
QS World[38] General 152=
ARWU World[39] Research 101–150
Program rankings
Social Sciences & Humanities
LAW
Asahi National[40] Research 4
Natural Sciences & Technology
Engineering
Kawaijuku [ja] National[41] General 6~7
QS World[42] General 96
PHYSICS
T.Reuters National[43] Research 6
T.Reuters World[43] Research 61
CHEMISTRY
T.Reuters National[43] Research 7
T.Reuters World[43] Research 43
BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
T.Reuters National[43] Research 5
T.Reuters World[43] Research 97
* T. Reuters World rankings include non-educational institutions

Nagoya University is recognised as a prestigious institution of education and learning in Japan.

General rankings

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The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) for 2021 ranks Nagoya University as third in Japan and 84th worldwide.[46] Nagoya University is ranked 118th globally by the QS World University Rankings for 2022, and 28th by the 2022 QS Asian University Rankings.[47] The Times Higher Education World University Rankings rank Nagoya University as seventh in Japan and 351-400th globally.[48]

Research performance

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Nagoya University is one of the top research institutions in Japan. It has obtained the 6th place in general rankings for scientific research in Japan, with 1.3% of publications being highly cited.[49] Furthermore, Nagoya had the 5th highest number of patents accepted (111) in 2019 among Japanese universities.[50] According to a ranking released by Thomson Reuters in 2011, Nagoya is the 5th best research university in Japan.[31] Its research standard is especially high in Physics (6th in Japan, 61st in the world), Chemistry (7th in Japan, 43rd in the world), and Biology & Biochemistry (5th in Japan, 97th in the world).[51]

Alumni rankings

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According to Toyo Keizai's "Ranking of the 200 Best Universities with Graduates Employed at Major Companies" in 2020, graduates from Nagoya University have the 12th best employment rate in 400 major companies in Japan,[52] compared to the 2010's rankings where Nagoya University was ranked 38th.[53]

International education

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Global 30 Project

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Nagoya University, recognised for its global academic excellence, is a Type A university in the Top Global University Project by MEXT and has been offering the Global 30 (G30) International Programs since 2011.[54] These programmes, conducted entirely in English, span various majors across undergraduate and graduate levels in fields such as humanities, law, economics, science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine,[55][56] with yearly matriculation in October.[57] The programme emphasises language proficiency by requiring international undergraduates to take Japanese classes, provides small class sizes, and encourages intensive research. Undergraduate students complete a thesis or lab work, while graduate programmes are research-focused, requiring applicants to align with professors' research interests.

Exchange programmes

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Nagoya University offers several exchange programmes for international students, including the Nagoya University Program for Academic Exchange (NUPACE), established in 1996. NUPACE, a short-term exchange program lasting four to twelve months, has welcomed over 2,300 students from 155 institutions, offering a range of courses in English and Japanese.[58] These courses cover Japanese language, intercultural studies, and major-specific topics, with some exclusive to NUPACE and others, such as G30 courses, open to regular students. Participants also have the option to engage in research under faculty guidance and enjoy benefits like student insurance counseling and accommodation in international dormitories. Other exchange programmes include Campus Asia for discussions on East Asian law and political science, JUACEP for engineering research in Japan, the US, and Canada, NUSIP focusing on automobile technology, and NUSTEP for intensive Japanese language learning.[59]

For Nagoya University students, there are opportunities to study abroad at partner universities under inter-university and inter-school agreements, covering 161 and 306 universities respectively.[60] These programmes offer financial aid, including travel expense coverage and stipends or loans. Engineering students can also participate in JUACEP, enabling them to conduct research and experience the research environment in North American institutions.[61] These exchange opportunities reflect Nagoya University's commitment to fostering international academic collaboration and cultural exchange.

International Student Organisations

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Nagoya University supports a vibrant community of international student organisations. These include the Nagoya University International Student Group (NUISG), which focuses on integrating G30 program students through various activities and information sharing since 2011; the Nagoya University International Student Association (NUFSA), established in 1976 to enhance cultural diversity and interaction among students; and the Co-op Foreign Student Association (COFSA), formed in 2015 to facilitate cross-cultural exchange and community building. Additionally, the Nagoya University HeForShe Club, started in 2017, promotes gender equality awareness through various events and activities.

Notable alumni and affiliates

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Full list can be found in the Japanese Wikipedia article: List of Nagoya University people (in Japanese)

Physics and Materials

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Chemistry and Biology

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Mathematics

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  • Shigefumi Mori (森 重文), one of the 1990 Fields Medalists, spent most of his academic career at the university until he won the Fields Medal in 1990.
    Shigefumi Mori (森 重文), one of the 1990 Fields Medalists, spent most of his academic career at the university until he won the Fields Medal in 1990.

More notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ Tokyo's Meiji University's 明大 is pronounced identically
  2. ^ "Nagoya University World Class Researchers". en.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
  3. ^ "The Nobel Prize in Physics 2014". NobelPrize.org.
  4. ^ "真鍋 淑郎 元名古屋大学特別招へい教授が、2021年ノーベル物理学賞を受賞しました". Nagoya University. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  5. ^ 名大史ブックレット6 草創期の名古屋大学と初代総長渋沢元治
  6. ^ "Nagoya University Profile 2021" (PDF). Nagoya University. Retrieved 9 Dec 2021.
  7. ^ "CCEP | Organizations". cais.gsi.go.jp. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  8. ^ "About ITbM | トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所（ITbM）". About ITbM | トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所（ITbM）. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  9. ^ "Research Fields | トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所（ITbM）". Research Fields | トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所（ITbM）. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  10. ^ "Research Environment | トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所（ITbM）". Research Environment | トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所（ITbM）. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  11. ^ "ISTbM-8". ISTbM-8 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  12. ^ a b "About ISEE | ISEE Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University". Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  13. ^ "Joint Reserch | ISEE Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University". Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  14. ^ "Research | ISEE Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University". Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  15. ^ "International activities | ISEE Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University". Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  16. ^ "Greeting/History - IMaSS Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University". IMaSS Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University - 名古屋大学 未来材料・システム研究所(IMaSS)では，地球規模での資源制約および環境制約の下，自然と調和する豊かで安全な人間社会の持続的発展を支えるため，材料からシステムに至る領域の研究課題に取り組みます。未来エレクトロニクス集積研究センター(CIRFE)では，主にエネルギー消費の削減が期待できるパワーデバイスの開発に取り組みます。高度計測技術実践センター(AMTC)では，これまで培ってきた電子顕微鏡技術などを駆使し基礎科学の発展を推し進めます。. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  17. ^ a b "About IMaSS - IMaSS Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University". IMaSS Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University - 名古屋大学 未来材料・システム研究所(IMaSS)では，地球規模での資源制約および環境制約の下，自然と調和する豊かで安全な人間社会の持続的発展を支えるため，材料からシステムに至る領域の研究課題に取り組みます。未来エレクトロニクス集積研究センター(CIRFE)では，主にエネルギー消費の削減が期待できるパワーデバイスの開発に取り組みます。高度計測技術実践センター(AMTC)では，これまで培ってきた電子顕微鏡技術などを駆使し基礎科学の発展を推し進めます。. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  18. ^ "Research Collaboration - IMaSS Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University". IMaSS Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University - 名古屋大学 未来材料・システム研究所(IMaSS)では，地球規模での資源制約および環境制約の下，自然と調和する豊かで安全な人間社会の持続的発展を支えるため，材料からシステムに至る領域の研究課題に取り組みます。未来エレクトロニクス集積研究センター(CIRFE)では，主にエネルギー消費の削減が期待できるパワーデバイスの開発に取り組みます。高度計測技術実践センター(AMTC)では，これまで培ってきた電子顕微鏡技術などを駆使し基礎科学の発展を推し進めます。. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  19. ^ "About Us". KMI - Nagoya University. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  20. ^ "Research Divisions アーカイブ". KMI - Nagoya University. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  21. ^ "Organization". KMI - Nagoya University. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  22. ^ "目的・概要 | DMNet". JSPS (in Japanese). 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  23. ^ "For Students". KMI - Nagoya University. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  24. ^ a b c "Nagoya University Academics / Campus Life". en.nagoya-u.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  25. ^ 51st Seven Universities Athletic Meet Opening Ceremony (July 7, 2012) (Kyoto University)
  26. ^ UTokyo's Ice Hockey Team Wins at the Seven Universities Athletic Meet for the First Time in 46 Years (Student Support Group) (University of Tokyo)
  27. ^ Long-awaited overall victory in Nanadai-sen (University of Tokyo)
  28. ^ "第62回名大祭". www.meidaisai.com. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  29. ^ "第６２回名大祭のオンライン開催について | 大学からのお知らせ". www.nagoya-u.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  30. ^ "Japan University Rankings 2023". Times Higher Education. 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Thomson Reuters 20 Top research institutions in Japan". Thomson Reuters. 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2022. (this ranking includes 5 non-educational institutions)
  32. ^ "Employment rate in 400 major companies rankings" (in Japanese). Weekly Economist. 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  33. ^ "Nikkei BP Brand rankings of Japanese universities" (in Japanese). Nikkei Business Publications. 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  34. ^ "GBUDU University Rankings" (in Japanese). YELL books. 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  35. ^ "QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025". QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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  37. ^ "THE World University Rankings". Times Higher Education. 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
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  54. ^ "Top Global University Project". tgu.mext.go.jp. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  55. ^ "Undergraduate program | Nagoya University Global 30 International Programs". admissions.g30.nagoya-u.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  56. ^ "Graduate Program | Nagoya University Global 30 International Programs". admissions.g30.nagoya-u.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  57. ^ "Admission | Nagoya University Global 30 International Programs". admissions.g30.nagoya-u.ac.jp. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
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  59. ^ "NUSTEP". NUSTEP. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  60. ^ "Inter-School Agreement". Nagoya University. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  61. ^ "About". Japan-US-Canada Advanced Collaboration Education Program. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  62. ^ "Sai Khaing Myo Tun".
  63. ^ "Tiểu Sử Phó Thủ tướng Chính phủ Lê Thành Long". Cổng Thông Tin Điện Tử Chính Phủ. 2024-06-08. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
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