The International Multidisciplinary Neuroscience Research Center (IMNRC asbl/vzw) is based in Flanders, Belgium. The IMNRC is working on the very foundations of Education, completely rethinking the basic structure of the Educational System (from school to University/College).

The IMNRC represents the Education of Tomorrow: integrated interdisciplinarity. It is therefore one level above the International University Network. Interface Theory and one of its applications, the Interface Assimilation Programme (IAP) demonstrate that unidisciplinarity (literature, politics, medicine, sciences, philosophy, religion, music, dancing, painting, sports, law, physics, linguistics, mathematics, human sciences, any form of artistic expression, etc…) ceases to « exist » as such. Unidisciplinarity has had its time: unidisciplinary education, and the degrees it confers, is doomed.

Actually the present IMNRC is in fact a proto-IMNRC or p-IMNRC with nonetheless enormous potential. The final completed design of the IMNRC as a futuristic Educational and Research Center (i.e. the IIRC, please see below) is going to be discussed during what was initially called the International Multidisciplinary Neuroscience Research Congress. The term "Neuroscience" however was often misunderstood and many could not understand how any field outside this "neuro...field" could possibly have anything to do with the Neurosciences. Similarly, many thought that Neurosciences was exclusively related to neurology and/or psychiatry.

The term "Neuroscience" is NOT to be considered as Neuroscience "Strictu Sensu" but rather as a way to introduce the notion of dynamic interactive INTERFACES in the Life Sciences. Indeed, the computer you are using now would never have been assembled from its constituent parts (= interfaces) - and you (= the human being = also a complex network of interacting interfaces) would not be understanding what you are doing in front of this screen - were it not for the Neurosciences...and the human being/computer interface.

"Neuroscience" was therefore replaced by a more appropriate word for our needs: "interface". This notion was already implicit in how we considered the International Multidisciplinary Neuroscience Research Congress. The latter was therefore changed to International Multidisciplinary Interface Research Congress or IMIRC.

The International Multidisciplinary Neuroscience Research Center's (IMNRC) objectives and philosophy are quite unique: not only do these have little in common with "conventional" (or traditional) Institutions/Universities but at the same time they seem to appeal to an increasing number of individual researchers in these establishments who feel it is maybe time to look elsewhere. Many aspire to work in an integrated interdisciplinary atmosphere and contribute to creating something completely new. The participants on our list are such people: highly determined, strong personality and not afraid of doing research between the conventions. IMNRC Affiliation to traditional unidisciplinary universities would not be very consistent. The IMNRC is thus independent and shall remain so.

The IMNRC's status is likely to change once the construction of this futuristic educational/research "institute" has been completed. The latter shall change its name to International Interface Research Center (IIRC).

The IMNRC's final design, conception and location shall be discussed and disclosed in detail during PART III of the International Multidisciplinary Interface Research Congress (IMIRC).

The IMNRC shall enable a direct application of the IMIRC's final conclusions and other fundamental issues like:

This implies creating:

This requires access to highly integrated and sophisticated interdisciplinary programmes that shall enable the human being to deal with just about any challenge that he/she may be faced with in the Life Sciences, on Earth or in Space. In record time.

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The IMNRC does not recognise conventional degrees (D.Sc., M.D., Ph.D., M.A., B.Sc., ...) because these credentials are simply too focussed and fragmented: they are quite inadequate to enable an integrated understanding of the Universe, and therefore Planet Earth's Society Well Being and Quality of Life. Please refer to the NewPOL Network Web Page for more information.

This is resented by many. But the resentment should be directed at the Educational System that has formatted the student in intellectual straitjackets making the human being unable to deal with everyday challenges that are all inherently interdisciplinarily integrated. In fact every human being has far more potential than just his/her conventional academic qualifications...!

Please also bear in mind that degree recognition is an international problem by no means restricted to the IMNRC. Some degrees in Country A are not recognised in Country B. In some cases, examinations are requested to obtain an equivalence in Country B. This is nothing new.

The trouble is that there is no real “equivalence examination” yet available to enter the IMNRC. This « examination » for the moment is essentially based on the originality of a candidate’s ideas, and on how he/she proposes to PRACTICALLY integrate these and his/her focussed training within a more global perspective and within the NewPOL Network's activities. In other words, selection is based on the candidate's integrated interdisciplinary potential.

This is why everyone at the IMNRC-NewPOL Network is on trial, including NC Teams. «Show me what you can do within the NewPOL Network.» This is why gaining entry to the NewPOL Network is no guarantee that a Member (Ordinary or NC Team) shall remain in the Organisation.

Sometimes CVs/Profiles are not requested immediately. If the applicant’s background and/or ideas have integrated interdisciplinary potential, the new Member is invited to show me what he/she can do.

From experience and generally speaking, it is NOT possible to work on integrated interdisciplinary issues with people who have a fragmented vision that in turn results from their fragmented education. There were 130 Belgian applications for the IMNRC-NewPOL Network. Only 5 succeeded, but only as Ordinary Members. No one made it to the NC Team level.

The fact that the IMNRC does not automatically recognise conventional degrees, does not mean that we do not recognise the focussed value of these degrees. However, please bear in mind that not all degrees are necessarily deserved... and even if a conventional degree is deserved we have by now clearly demonstrated that the fragmented training a graduate has received is not suited to tackle challenges that are all inherently interdisciplinarily integrated in nature.

Regarding existing conventional degrees in general, the above is also a warning: these shall become obsolete sooner or later. But since this is likely to have serious consequences regarding existing educational institutions, the transition shall have to be planned out through a CWIN on Education. Simple.

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The IMNRC prepares for only one degree: the Doctorate in Interfaces (D.I.). An Honorary D.I. is under discussion and may be awarded to any partner of exceptional integrated interdisciplinary potential and talent who has fully integrated the notion of interfaces.

The IMNRC shall first be considered as a Test (Pilot) Site in country/island XYZ. It has no wish to become exclusive on this Planet. If considered successful, a network of such Centers may certainly be considered to replace more conventional educational/research establishments.