International Marine Science and Technology Special Development Program

Transcription

1 Program No Selection for the 2013 International Priority Graduate Programs (PGP) Advanced Graduate Courses for International Students International Marine Science and Technology Special Development Program 1. Overview of Administering University National University Corporation University Tokyo University of Marine Science and President Dr. Nobuaki Okamoto Technology Graduate School of Marine Science and Head of Graduate Technology Course of Applied Marine graduate Dr. Akio Okayasu school/specialization Biosciences (9 courses) school Address Contact Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, , Japan Department/c ontact person Student Affairs Department, Student Support Division, International Student Section (Section Chief) TEL/FAX Collaborating universities, graduate schools, or courses (only if applicable) 2. Program Overview Field Main fields of research/career paths Characteristics/outsta nding features of the program Program format Enrollment quotas Natural sciences fisheries, oceanography, environmental sciences, marine policy studies, energy sciences Research positions at universities in one s home country at national research institutes and in the private sector. This program dedicated to education and research in the marine and fisheries field in which all classes are taught in English. Based on the keywords marine science and technology, the program provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and cutting-edge education, research, and instruction, and enables students to flexibly deal with historical and social changes from global perspectives. In particular, through practical research, the program aims to develop highly skilled researchers and professionals, who are able to work in an international capacity. It is a program that seeks to assist individuals in developing the competencies needed to work internationally at universities, research institutes, and government bodies that such as ministries concerned with fisheries and oceanography. Master s course (2 years) and Doctoral course (3 years) Master s course 5 International students: 3 (priority allocation: 3) Domestic students: 2 Doctoral program 15 International students: 12 (priority allocation: 7) Domestic students: 3-1 -

2 Enrollment period Annually in October Recruitment Number of teaching staff Target regions/countries Method of notification Period of commencement Administered through partner universities worldwide, mainly in Asia Through the program website (to be set up in the near future), by partner universities, and during overseas visits made by teaching staff Recruitment begins every year around October Total: 226 (full-time: 188; visiting: 11; part-time: 27) Program website Program manager To be set up in the near future Department of affiliation/job title: Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology/Professor Name: Dr. Ikuo Hirono -2 -

3 3. Program Details Aims of the Program Oceans make up 70% of the Earth s surface, and since ancient times, they have supplied the food resource that provides an important source of animal protein in many countries. Likewise, oceans play an important role in both domestic and international transportation activities. A maritime transportation that sustains daily life and other supporting industries is particularly important for Japan, because it is a trading nation that relies on other countries for the majority of its energy resources. Oceans regulate and maintain energy resources and environments needed for people to live in comfort. These issues have been subjects of particular attention in recent years, and the understanding of the oceans overall nature and establishment of conservation techniques are recognized as matters of utmost urgency. Furthermore, the globalization of ocean use has led to the need for international cooperation in, among other things, the sustainable development of life forms and energy resources in international waters as well as the maintenance of orderly maritime transportation. Because oceans are vital to the existence of humanity and its lasting prosperity, the development of educational programs, researchers, and technicians related to the field is essential. However, research on marine science or marine engineering cannot be conducted by our country alone; rather, international partnerships are needed to yield positive results and achieve goals. For Japan to exercise leadership in the development of international collaborative research, it needs to not only provide other countries with technological and material support but also make proactive contributions of knowledge by conducting joint research projects and education programs on a global scale. Thus, there is a pressing need for a special graduate school program that selects outstanding students from developing nations particularly those in Asia accepts them into the course, and provides them with educational guidance. Since we believe that ASEAN countries are particularly important for the education and research fields related to fisheries and oceans, government-funded sponsorships will be offered in the recruitment of outstanding ASEAN students. In addition, considering the heavy global competition for outstanding international students and the economic problems of developing nations, we believe that government sponsorships are unavoidable necessities. Moreover, recruitments of outstanding international students will be stimulating for the Japanese students, and thus will enliven the education and research environments and help the students develop into internationally minded educators and researchers. Ideal candidates, whether governmentally or privately funded, are highly motivated students who aim to work internationally in various fields of marine science and technology. Candidates may aim to work in their own country, in Japan, or in other countries. Such occupations include not only positions at research universities or institutes and government bodies but also in global businesses. We will accept students who desire to work in an international environment in the future, by merging their skills with the advanced skills and knowledge they attain in Japan through this course of study. Selection Methods The recruitment of government-funded international students for the special course is conducted mainly among universities and research institutes with which the university has exchange agreements. The selection process will be executed by a committee consisting of course heads and the graduate school head, and successful candidates will be chosen on the basis of a point system that accumulates the applicant s academic record, language skills, research background, research achievements, and educational background. The university has agreements with 85 universities and research institutes worldwide, with which it proactively engages in exchanging researchers, accepting students, and holding international seminars, among other things. In particular, the university has entered into short-term exchange agreements with many of these universities, thus enabling our undergraduate and graduate students to study abroad and our university to accept international students every year. With these partner universities as a base, we look for outstanding students from each country, sponsor overseas recruiting trips by the teaching staff, and personally meet with students who wish to study overseas. In addition to securing scholarships for 10 government-funded international students in the master s -3 -

4 and doctoral program, the SATREPS (JST JICA project) provides annual recommendations for international students. Furthermore, this framework gives priority acceptance to students who wish to study in this program through other governments scholarships and fellowships (for example, China s Project 985, Vietnam s Project 322, and Vietnam s Mekong 1000 Project). Curriculum, Teaching Content, Educational System, and Languages The university has created an internationally renowned education and research environment that utilizes the Field Science Center comprised of four stations and six training ships. This environment enables students to engage in a broad range of activities, from classroom and textbook study to actual experiments and field research. To help students learn new skills and ways of thinking, we regularly organize experiment-based seminars focused on cutting-edge technology. We provide education that helps students develop into versatile, competent professionals who are able to promote national progress. This program comprises all the specializations belonging to the Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology (seven master s and two doctoral courses). The master s courses require that students take 18 credits in certain specified subjects. Among these, eight credits may be acquired from other specializations, thus providing students with a broad-range education. Among the specified credits, Marine Science and Technology Special Lecture I and II, which are already offered as Internet lectures, are compulsory. In addition, students attend out-of-field lectures, with the aim of attaining a wide range of knowledge about oceans. Furthermore, students must participate in internships. After completing an internship, students are required to give a presentation in English, at a specified date, about what they learned during the internship. In addition, the master s courses offer a sub-specialization system that is solely in English, thus assisting students to develop into professionals with vast knowledge about marine science and technology and who are capable of flourishing on the international platform. In this program, doctoral courses require 10 credits in certain specified subjects; for each specialization, two credits are earned through joint seminars and four through special research. The advanced course requires students to obtain four credits from two subjects, thus allowing them to engage in wide-ranging interdisciplinary research within specializations. In the joint seminars, the students present the progress of their special research. The joint seminar also facilitates lectures by prominent researchers from Japan and overseas and organizes skill improvement seminars five times a year (five times at each campus = a total of 10 times) as part of the Career Path Development Program. In their joint seminar midterm presentations, all students (international and Japanese) must prepare their presentation slides in English, and after each student s presentation, other students are required to complete evaluation sheets (example below), which the presenters receive after the seminar. This process functions as a mutual evaluation system and is helpful when the students begin writing their doctoral theses. Please check and comment to help each presenter improve his/her research activities. No. Presenter s name 1) Background/Objectives Excellent Good Fair Poor 2) Methods Excellent Good Fair Poor 3) Results Excellent Good Fair Poor 4) Discussion & Conclusion Excellent Good Fair Poor 5) Future plan Excellent Good Fair Poor 6) Slide(s) are self-explanatory Excellent Good Fair Poor 7) Presentation skills Excellent Good Fair Poor Question/Comment: (For the student:, this is required to discern your participation) In addition to the academic requirements, the following special arrangements are made to help -4 -

5 international students in Japan. 1. Japanese language education: Instructors from the university s International Cultural Studies program conduct intermediate-level Japanese classes for international students. This arrangement aligns with the needs of Japan s private sector, which has voiced a desire for the development of international students who can speak Japanese and play a leading role in the international arena. Beginner-level Japanese classes are also provided for the students in the special course. Provided that these classes do not interfere with the students studies and research, they help students who do not speak Japanese to communicate on a practical level in Japan. 2. Tutor system: The tutor system helps international students to smoothly acclimatize to their new lives in Japan, so that they concentrate on their graduate school studies and research. The tutor system provides international students with assistance for a range of procedures, both on and off campus. It also provides Japanese language tutoring to help international students communicate in Japanese. In addition, the tutor system contributes to improving Japanese students international awareness. 3. Student accommodation: Regulations allow international students to live in student dormitories or at international houses, where government-funded international students are given priority. 4. Establishment of a committee: The international student committee is composed of the university teaching staff. The committee consults with international students and deals with a range of problems that they might encounter, allowing them to comfortably enjoy their student lives. 5. The Student Support Division, particularly the International Student Committee, provides support outside of the university procedures, including support for daily-life and follow-up support when international students return to their home countries. In addition, the university publishes and distributes a daily-life handbook in English and Japanese for international students. This program aims to develop not only international students but also Japanese students into individuals who are capable of functioning on the world stage. The university is in the process of examining ways to incorporate a certain level of English language ability within the requirements for undergraduate graduation and/or for progressing to graduate school. Moreover, in the next academic year, the graduate school will adopt a policy of annually changing 20% of the lecture content into English, aiming eventually to teach all courses in English. Teaching in English from the outset will assist Japanese students in mastering usable English skills. In addition, by engaging in discussion in English with international students, Japanese students will improve their English in the next 5 years, skills and facilitate their ability to function globally. Since all classes will be taught in English, we are expecting to use this course as a progressive model for constructing the special development course for international marine science and technology. This will include establishing double degrees and the extension of sandwich programs with overseas universities. Furthermore, the university has been selected to participate in the Career Path Development Program for Marine Professionals, and has thus instituted the three-month internships for doctoral degree students and researchers. This program is open to both Japanese and international students and aims to develop highly trained professionals who can function well in ocean-related businesses and other entities. Finally, by providing on-campus information through the international students alumni association networks and sponsoring talks by former international students, we aim to create new networks, in addition to continuing post-graduation follow-up. -5 -

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