The University of the Ryukyus (琉球大学, Ryūkyū Daigaku), abbreviated to Ryūdai (琉大), is a national university of Japan. It is located in the town of Nishihara on Okinawa Honto in Okinawa Prefecture. There are also campuses in Nakagusuku and Ginowan. It is the westernmost national university of Japan and the largest public university in Okinawa Prefecture. Since Ryūdai boasts a large-scale medical school and many distinguished faculty members, it is recognized as the most prestigious university in Okinawa. Under the auspices of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands, the University of the Ryukyus was founded, as a territorial university, on the site of the historic Shuri Castle in Naha on May 22, 1950. It was placed under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands in 1966. Ryūdai became a Japanese national university on May 15, 1972, upon Okinawa's return to Japan. The university had been situated on the site of the Shuri Castle in Naha, it had moved to its current locations during 1975 and 1984 in order for the revival of the castle.