Organized graduate education promotion program
Nurturing practical scientists and engineers with interdisciplinary skills
Organized graduate education promotion program
Nurturing practical scientists and engineers with interdisciplinary skills
*This initiative was carried out from 2008 to 2010, and has continued as an in-house initiative at our university since 2011.
Program Overview
Graduate School of Science and Engineering has the following educational and research objectives: "To cultivate character based on the university's educational foundation, which is based on Christian principles; to foster profound academic knowledge and research ability through specialized academic instruction and training; and to educate individuals who will be solid members of society, who can demonstrate international leadership, and who can contribute to the development and creation of culture as 'salt of the earth and light of the world.'" The school operates with one major, eight courses, and two programs.
In addition, the master's course offers two types of educational programs: the traditional Specialized Frontier Program (aimed at nurturing talent in advanced research and applications) and the Comprehensive Frontier Program (aimed at nurturing talent that can correctly evaluate science and technology from a broad perspective and disseminate that knowledge to society).
With this educational system as a backdrop, this program will establish a "Practical Application Skills Enhancement Program" and an "International Sexuality Education Program," and will develop e-learning and an "active graduate school portal site" to fully support the system.
Representative: Koichi Hayashi, Professor Graduate School of Science and Engineering
Program implementation report
Graduate School of Science and Engineering has already adopted a one-major, multiple-course system, which has made it easier to study interdisciplinary subjects by lowering the barriers between specialties, and provides an environment in which students can develop broad perspectives. Taking advantage of this distinctive educational environment, this project has implemented a "Practical Application Strengthening Program" to equip students with interdisciplinary skills and practical abilities, and an "International Education Program" to cultivate communication skills that allow students to explain their ideas in the international community and achieve mutual understanding. In order to create an environment in which these programs can be implemented smoothly, the "Development of an Active Graduate School Portal Site" has been carried out.
The "Practical Application Skills Enhancement Program" implemented four programs: "Practical Application Skills Enhancement Program/Internship," "Student-led Lectures/Research Projects," "Analytical Instruments Master Program," and "New Subjects in the Practical Application Skills Enhancement Program," and students worked with students from other courses to plan and manage research and programs. In addition, an internship system was introduced at companies and other institutions, and new subjects such as problem-solving exercises and research and development special courses were added, creating an organized and ongoing educational system.
In the "International Sexuality Education Program," we have developed e-learning materials and created a custom-made language education system. At the same time, we have established and improved an international exchange system through short-term overseas training for students (overseas internships, etc.), and have provided education to strengthen practical English skills.
And in supporting these efforts, the "Development of an Active Graduate School Portal Site" played an important role.
Program Outcomes
The establishment of new subjects, the development of international exchange, and student-led participation in education that have been realized through this initiative are sure to be extremely meaningful in promoting the realization of graduate school education. However, the results must be judged based on the evaluation by an external or internal evaluation committee.
In order to ensure that these three years of efforts produce meaningful results for the future education of Graduate School of Science and Engineering, we will thoroughly analyze and accept the points raised by each committee member, particularly at the final year's external evaluation committee meeting (Saturday, November 27, 2010). The comments made at that time were roughly as follows:
- 01. Since the last external evaluation committee meeting, the areas for improvement pointed out have been thoroughly reviewed and are evolving.
- 02. We look forward to continued consideration of ways to encourage students to become more involved in this initiative.
- 03. As an outcome of the program, it seems necessary to consider how to incorporate the "student perspective."
- 04. It is expected that the importance of this type of project will be disseminated to society, which will in turn lead to increased understanding among national and other government authorities.
- 05. Considering the above, it seems essential that industry and academia work together to "create students."
Keeping these points in mind, the Graduate School will continue to develop the following in order to "cultivate practical scientists and engineers with interdisciplinary skills": (1) a "Program for Strengthening Practical Application Skills" (to develop the ability to independently plan and carry out advanced academic research and the ability to apply academic research to practical matters); (2) an "International Education Program" (to develop presentation and communication skills in English, judgment based on a broad perspective and high ethical standards, and specialized application skills); and (3) an "Active Graduate School Portal Site" (to support the entire Graduate School, including the existing Complex Frontier Program).