PROSPECTUS 2014-2015 Master of Tropical Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University
Admission Policy Applicants for this school, designed to educate students who will lead the future of tropical medicine, are required to have basic, fundamental medical knowledge and experience, high aspirations and motivation, and international communication skills. The curriculum is implemented in English throughout the course, and students should have English comprehension and communication skills sufficient to undergo education in medicine and its related fields.
1. Essential information P.1 1-1 Background 1-2 Admission requirements 1-3 Contents of the course 2. Application procedures P.3 Registration Course duration Entrance requirements Note Application period Where to send your application 2-1 How to apply (for Japanese applicants) List of documents to submit for application 2-2 How to apply (for non-japanese applicants) List of documents to submit for application 2-3 Deadline for application (both Japanese and non-japanese applicants) 3. Selection process P.8 Examination methods 3-1 Telephone interview (for non-japanese applicants living overseas) 3-2 Schedule for examination (for applicants living in Japan) On the day of examination Venue Transportation Other points to note (ALL applicants) Notification of successful application (Offer of admission) Notification dates 4. Admission process: How to reply to the offer of admission P.11 Registration period Place of registration Tuition and fees Personal data protection policy 5. Contact information P.12
1. Essential information 1-1 Background Since the late twentieth century, we have renewed our recognition of the threat incurred by many emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that often originate in tropical and developing countries. The speed at which these infectious diseases spread from one country to another has been accelerating due to ever-expanding economic activities and international travel. This recognition has brought tropical medicine, the field of medicine with which we address these issues, back into the limelight. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Nagasaki University is the only school in Japan that offers a PhD course in emerging infectious diseases and tropical medicine. Within this graduate school, the Institute of Tropical Medicine has played a central role in medical research in the tropics and provided human resources for disease control programs abroad for nearly seventy years. In April 2006, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Nagasaki University launched the Master of Tropical Medicine course with the aim of (1) equipping medical doctors with practical knowledge and problem-solving skills that are directly relevant to clinical practice in the tropics, and (2) contributing to global efforts to reduce the impact of tropical and infectious diseases. 1-2 Admission requirements This course aims to provide students with the opportunity to learn a broad range of skills and knowledge relevant to practicing medicine, formulating disease control programs, and conducting medical research in tropical and developing countries. It also aims to provide students with the ability to solve practical problems they are likely to encounter in the tropics by applying the principles and methods of epidemiology and state-of-the-art molecular medicine. This program attracts students from a variety of countries and cultural backgrounds. Nagasaki University fosters an atmosphere of collaborative learning through discussion and group work across national and cultural boundaries. 1
It is specifically designed for medical doctors with basic clinical experience, a strong interest in infectious disease research in the tropics, and with future plans of working in tropical countries. The applicant to this course should: 1) be a medical doctor graduated and qualified by an accredited medical school 2) have at least two (2) years of professional clinical experience or become recognized by the School of Biomedical Sciences as having an equivalent level of ability. All non-japanese applicants must contact the course coordinator about eligibility for admission. (See P. 6) 1-3 Contents of the course 1-3-1 Course starting from October: This is the original course flow and for all foreign applicants who need student visa application to Japanese government. The course consists of three components: (A) Introductory lectures for research, (B) Research project and (C) lectures and practicums (laboratory practices) on tropical medicine. Students are required to fulfill all components and demonstrate mastery of learning objectives by passing formal examinations and by submitting a master thesis of a research project in order to qualify for the Master s degree in Tropical Medicine. (A) Introductory lectures for research (October and November) In order to prepare students for their individual research projects, lectures on basic immunology and molecular biology (including laboratory skills) will be given. Epidemiological skills including study design, data management, and medical statistics will also be taught. (B) Research project (from November to August) All students will be assigned a research project to be conducted under the supervision of senior professors and will be required to submit a Master thesis. Upon discussion and approval by the supervising professor, the students will be eligible to participate in research projects overseas for up to three months. Overseas research will be conducted at our research stations in Kenya or Vietnam, at affiliated infectious disease hospitals: Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam or San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, or at relevant institutes. 2
(C) Lectures and practicums (from April to July) Lectures and practicums aim to teach essential and advanced knowledge of clinical infectious diseases with reference to microbiology, virology, parasitology, and entomology. The course will hold a series of clinical case discussions presented at Bach Mai Hospital and San Lazaro Hospital through TV conferencing system. These will give students the opportunity to actively discuss diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control. 1-3-2 Course starting from April This is newly designed for some Japanese applicants who need to brush up communication skills in English gradually by taking (C) lectures and practicums from April. The overall flow of the course is the same as one starting from October, and the academic year will finish in March. 2. Application procedures The Application Forms (except for application fee forms) can be downloaded from our website (http://www.tm.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/mtm/index.html). The Forms are in Microsoft Word format. If you have any problems downloading the forms, please contact us. You 3
must file your application either as a Japanese applicant or a non-japanese applicant depending on your citizenship. If you have Japanese citizenship but live outside of Japan, you must still apply as a Japanese applicant. Registration Twelve students will be accepted into the program annually. There are two periods of recruitment: 6 places are available for February Examination recruitment. 6 places are available for May Examination. Recruitment Entry Places Available April 2014 Entry February Examination October 2014 Entry May Examination October 2014 Entry 6 6 Course duration Recruitment Entry Course duration April 2014 Entry 1 April 2014 31 March 2015 February Examination October 2014 Entry 1 October 2014 30 September 2015 May Examination October 2014 Entry 1 October 2014 30 September 2015 All the foreign applicants are advised to select October 2014 Entry as student visa arrangement takes at least three months after admission is offered. Entrance requirements: Applicants must have a degree in medicine from an accredited institution. In addition, he or she must have at least two years of clinical experience or recent professional experience in a relevant discipline. 4
Note: If you do not have two years of clinical experience but have recent professional experience in a relevant discipline, please contact the course coordinator to discuss eligibility at hi-sato@nagasaki-u.ac.jp prior to sending a full application. Application period Recruitment Entry Application Period February Examination April 2014 Entry October 2014 Entry 6 January 2014 20 January 2014 May Examination October 2014 Entry 31 March 2014 14 April 2014 Where to send your application Admissions Office Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki University 1-12-4 Sakamoto Nagasaki, JAPAN 852-8523 2-1 How to apply (for Japanese applicants) List of documents to submit for application (you must submit a complete set of documents by registered mail ) Documents Details Application Form Use Form 1 Use Form 2 Applicant Photo ID You should provide 2 portrait photographs. They Form must be 4cm x 3cm in size, showing your entire face with no hat, and taken from the front within 3 months of the application. Bank Receipt of Application Fee Use Form 2 Application Fee: Make sure that the bank stamp is on the transfer note(receipt) to verify payment of Application Fee. 検 定 料 納 付 証 明 書 貼 付 票 A photocopy of your medical degree certificate 検 定 料 納 付 証 明 書 貼 付 票 には 各 種 銀 行 の 取 扱 銀 行 収 納 印 が 押 印 された 検 定 料 納 付 証 明 書 を 貼 り 付 けること 医 学 部 又 は 医 科 大 学 の 卒 業 証 明 書 の 写 し 5
A photocopy of your doctor s license Reference Letter (as proof of clinical experience/employment) Personal Statement Application Fee ( 検 定 料 ) 医 師 免 許 証 の 写 し Reference letter(s) from your previous supervisor(s) who can confirm your two years of clinical experience. 業 務 歴 内 容 証 明 に 相 当 するもの Use Form 3 to state why you are applying to this course. A non-refundable payment of 30,000 should be made during the Application Period. Note the following: 1) Payment should be made using the specified form (please contact the administration office to request this form this form is not downloadable from the website). Do not use ATM. 2) The application fee shall not be returned for any reason once submitted. 3) Payment should be made to the University either through bank or post office transfer. 4) Money transferring fees are the responsibility of the applicant. 5) Proof of transfer by the bank or the post office should be included (this proof should have the bank or post office seal/stamp). Self-addressed Envelope 1) 所 定 の 振 込 用 紙 を 使 用 すること 振 込 用 紙 の 入 手 のため 必 ず 医 歯 薬 学 総 合 研 究 科 事 務 へ 募 集 要 項 を 請 求 すること ( 募 集 要 項 郵 送 料 : 普 通 200 円, 速 達 470 円 )ATM は 使 用 不 可 2) 既 納 の 検 定 料 は 出 願 書 が 受 理 された 後 はいかなる 理 由 があっても 返 還 しない 3) 各 種 銀 行 または 郵 便 局 の 受 付 窓 口 で 振 り 込 むこと 4) 振 込 手 数 料 は 入 学 志 願 者 本 人 の 負 担 となる 5) 郵 便 振 替 払 込 納 付 証 明 書 を 受 付 窓 口 から 受 け 取 る 際 は 必 ず 取 扱 銀 行 収 納 印 を 確 認 すること ( 押 印 がな い 場 合 は 出 願 を 受 理 しない ) Enclose an envelope with your name, address and postal code, and a 350 postage stamp attached (Express Mail). You will receive your Application ID form in this envelope. 6
2-2 How to apply (for non-japanese applicants) All non-japanese applicants must contact the course coordinator by E-mailing hi-sato@nagasaki-u.ac.jp before submitting the application. Eligibility for admission will be established through this process. Please call during office hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).the local time in Japan is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). List of documents to submit for application As a rule, all documents should be submitted by post and should reach us by the dates specified in Section 2-3. Documents Application Form Use Form 1 Applicant Photo ID Form A photocopy of your medical degree certificate A photocopy of your medical practitioner license/registration Details of your overall academic performance Reference letter (as proof of clinical experience/ employment) Personal Statement Application Fee Details Use Form 2 You should provide 2 portrait photographs. They must be 4cm x 3cm in size, showing your entire face with no hat, and taken from the front within 3 months of the application. If the documents are written in languages other than English, you must provide accurate English translation. This should be an official transcript issued by the institute of your medical education and endorsed or signed by the Dean of said institution. Reference letter(s) from your previous supervisor(s) who can confirm your two years of clinical experience. Use Form 3 to state why you are applying to this course. Payment of 30,000 must be made during the application period. If you are outside Japan, please make the payment by telegraphic transfer with the following data, and send the payment certificate along with the other documents. Money transferring fees are the responsibility of the payer. Please remind that any shortage of the payment is not acceptable. Name of the bank: THE EIGHTEENTH BANK, LTD 7
A photocopy of your Residence Card Branch: OHASHI BRANCH Address of the bank: 8-28 Ohashi-machi, Nagasaki-City, Nagasaki 852-8134, JAPAN Account number: 191-01-226702 Account holder: Nagasaki University SWIFT CODE (Mandatory ): EITNJPJT Purpose of Remittance: Application Fee Message to payee: Following should be mentioned. Applicant s name Nationality Master of Tropical Medicine If you have already acquired Residence Card in Japan, you should submit a copy. If you do not have the Residence Card and your stay in Japan does not exceed 90 days, you are to bring your passport at your interview. A photocopy of your passport A photocopy of your passport (page of your face) 2-3 Deadline for application Recruitment Entry Deadline for Application Submission February Examination April 2014 Entry October 2014 Entry 20 January 2014 May Examination October 2014 Entry 14 April 2014 3. Selection process All eligible applications will be processed. The submitted documents will be checked for authenticity and assessed using standardized selection criteria. All applicants will take an examination where questions relevant to the field of tropical medicine/infectious diseases will be asked and English communication skills will be evaluated. 8
Examination methods Non-Japanese applicants living overseas will be assessed by an interview over the telephone (see 3-1 below); the applicants will be provided with details on how the telephone interview will be conducted when they first contact the course staff for eligibility check. All Japanese applicants and non-japanese applicants living in Japan will be required to take a written examination and an interview (see 3-2 below). 3-1 Telephone interview (for applicants living overseas) Recruitment Entry Period February Examination April 2014 Entry October 2014 Entry 6 February 2014 May Examination October 2014 Entry 8 May 2014 3-2 Schedule for examination(for applicants living in Japan) Examination details Date Time Place Subject Content (February Examination) 7 February 2014 (May Examination) 9 May 2014 9:30~11:00 School of Medicine Nagasaki University Written Exam 13:00~ Interview Questions relevant to the field of tropical medicine and infectious diseases (in English) English communication skills Note: 1. You must enter the examination room by 9 a.m. on the day of examination. 2. DO NOT FORGET to bring your Application ID form. 3. You may bring non-electronic dictionaries to the examination room. 4. Failure to comply with the above may result in rejection of your application. On the day of examination Venue School of Medicine School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 9
Transportation <From Nagasaki JR station> 1. Take the tram car bound for Akasako ( 赤 迫 ), get off at Hamaguchi-machi( 浜 口 町 ) station, then walk for approximately 10 minutes. 2. Take the No. 8 Nagasaki bus for Shimo-oohashi ( 下 大 橋 ), then get off at Igakubu-mae ( 医 学 部 前 ) 3. Take a taxi to the School of Medicine (approximate fare: 1,000). <From Nagasaki Airport> Take the limousine bus for Nagasaki-city, get off at Matsuyama-machi ( 松 山 町 ), then walk for approximately 10 minutes. Other points to note (ALL applicants) (1) Admissions Office will not process any incomplete application. Make sure that all your documentation is complete. (2) You cannot make any changes to the documentation after submitting your application documents. (3) Admissions Office will not return your documentation once submitted. (4) Any false statement made or falsified documentation submitted will result in disqualification of applicant. Notification of successful application (Offer of admission) Following the examination and interview, the application ID numbers of successful applicants will be posted on the website of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University: URL: http://www.mdp.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/eng/index.html http://www.mdp.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/index.html Successful applicants will also receive an offer of admission by post. Please do not contact us regarding the outcome of your application before the notification dates. Notification dates Recruitment Entry Date April 2014 Entry February Examination October 2014 Entry 26 February 2014 (10:00am) May Examination October 2014 Entry 11 June 2014 (10:00 am) 10
4. Admission process: How to reply to the offer of admission You are requested to respond to the offer of admission by the following procedure: Registration period Recruitment Entry Registration Period February Examination* April 2014 Entry October 2014 Entry 5 March 2014 19 March 2014 (between the hours of 9:00 and 17:00, M-F, Japan time) May Examination October 2014 Entry 18 June 2014 2 July 2014 (between the hours of 9:00 and 17:00, M-F, Japan time) February Examination * Registration period is between 5 March 2014 and 19 March 2014 for both April 2014 Entry and October 2014 Entry. Place of registration Admissions Office, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University Tuition and fees (1) Admission fee 282,000 (Payment should be made during the registration period) (2) Annual tuition fee 535,800 (this can be paid in two installments) (3) Overseas clinical training expense (optional) All the students who plan to have overseas clinical training and research are required to have sufficient funds to cover the international travel fees and daily living expenses for the duration of this overseas training. If fund is available, some part of accommodation cost and insurance may be reimbursed by the university. Note: 1Admission fees are non-refundable. 2Prior to admission, Annual Tuition Fees (currently 535,800yen) for the academic year 2014-2015 is subject to change. If there is a change, notice will be given via the course website (http://www.tm.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/mtm/index.html), and admitted students will be expected to pay the revised fee. 3If the tuition fee or admission fee is revised during the academic year, the updated fee will be applied from the date of revision. Personal data protection policy: Personal information that you provide in your application pack shall be used only for the selection process and shall not be given to any third party. 11
5. Contact information <In writing> Admissions Office Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki University 1-12-4 Sakamoto Nagasaki 852-8523, JAPAN <By telephone> Course coordinator, Hikaru Sato Tel: +81-95-819-7834 (from overseas) Tel: 095-819-7834 (in Japan) <By e-mail> Course coordinator, Hikaru Sato hi-sato@nagasaki-u.ac.jp Admissions Office dai_med@ml.nagasaki-u.ac.jp List of Professors Master of Tropical Medicine Course Kenji Hirayama, M.D., Ph.D. [Course Director] Professor of Immunogenetics and Director, Master of Tropical Medicine course Koya Ariyoshi, M.D., DTM&H, Ph.D. [Deputy Course Director] Professor of Clinical Medicine and Deputy Director, Master of Tropical Medicine course Osamu Nakagomi, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Kouichi Morita, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Virology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Toshiya Hirayama, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology, Institute of Tropical Medicine 12
Osamu Kaneko, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Jiro Yasuda, D.V.M., Ph.D. Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine Masahiro Hashizume, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine Juntra Laothavorn, M.D., DTM&H, Ph.D. Professor of Clinical Product Development, Institute of Tropical Medicine Shinjiro Hamano, M.D., Ph.D. Professor of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine 13