Admission Information for Enrollment in April 2014

Program Objective

Ochanomizu University launched a program entitled “Fostering long-term creativity and innovation with science and technology disciplines based on Ochanomizu spirit ‘Migakazuba’ in the next generation of global leaders.” This program was selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology in 2013 as a “Program for Leading Graduate Schools.”
There are higher expectations for women in the fields of science and engineering. This degree program, aimed at female students with a fundamental knowledge of physics, mathematics, and computer science, will endow them with the knowledge and ability to respond to changing situations and varying needs of society while continuing to forge innovation. Collaboration between industry, educational institutions, and the administration allows Ochanomizu University to become the hub and proponent for this program.
This program has set forth the following educational goals: “achievement of reliable fundamental skills” and “innovation in research and development in the real world and fostering leadership in collaboration with different fields.” To realize the latter goal, this program introduces PBTS (Project Based Team Study) as the main method, which allows students to practice effective project management and team research.

This five-year program is provided through the “Minor Course of Science and Technology for Global Leaders,” established by a collaboration between the Division of Advanced Sciences and the Division of Life Sciences.

Skills acquired through this program

This program cultivates female postdoctoral students who have fundamental skills in science and engineering, the flexibility to create innovation, and the leadership skills to organize people from different fields and backgrounds. These students are preparing to play active roles in the fields of industry, educational institutions, and administration on a global level.

Number of students admitted

About 30 students per annual admission (about 15 students receive scholarships)

Eligibility

Those who will enroll in the following master’s programs in April 2014 or those who had enrolled in the first year of these master’s programs as of October 2013:
Division of Life Sciences
Division of Advanced Sciences

*To complete this Minor Course program, students must advance to the doctoral program.
*Those who apply for the February examination for the 2014 master’s program can apply to this Minor Course program.

Application procedure

Please see Application Guidelines for the 2014 Minor Course of Science and Technology for Global Leaders.

Selection Process

Contact

Ochanomizu University
Leading Graduate School Promotion Center
2-1-1 Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan
Phone/fax: 03-5978-5775
E-mail:

• Application guidelines for the 2014 Minor Course of Science and Technology for Global Leaders
• Application form
• Examination admission slip
• Scholarship guidelines for the Ochanomizu University Program of Leading Graduate Schools (Enacted on January 24, 2014)

About PBTS
PBTS, a team-focused study method, modeled after company’s project execution process, allows students from different fields to form a team and work on team-directed assignments. Teams must consist of members from different fields of research and with diverse cultural backgrounds (a cross-functional team), and they are expected to learn from one another while effectively demonstrating their own specialty and individuality. When deciding on assignments, students must consider what they can do as a team, beyond their own field of specialty. Even an assignment outside of their own field of research can be constructive and interesting with participation by members from different fields and cultural backgrounds. When working on assignments, students are encouraged to seek the involvement of collaborators outside the team, including students and faculty members, researchers from companies, and foreign organizations, and to use the facilities available to them.

For details of the program, please refer to the document prepared for the brief information sessions on enrollment in the 2014 academic year course “Minor Course of Science and Technology for Global Leaders,” held on November 25 and 28, 2013.

Features of this degree program

• Five-year combined master’s and doctoral program
  ⇒ A master’s thesis can be substituted with Minor Course coursework and research (for students who enroll from the first year of the master’s program).
• PBTS (Project Based Team Study), which allows students to work on team-directed assignments in cooperation with team members
  ⇒ Students will develop skills in planning, leadership, and project management.
  ⇒ Students use English in research and discussion under the guidance of foreign faculty members.
• Compulsory “global training,” in which students conduct research abroad
  ⇒ Students are required to participate in overseas activities while in school.
• “Innovation creation fundamental courses” (science fundamental courses) offered in English by foreign faculty members
  ⇒ Students will conduct research in an English-language environment while in Japan.
• A variety of subjects on career development/female leadership training
  ⇒ Subjects are developed in cooperation with female executives from companies and global NGOs.
• The doctoral program LA (liberal arts) is required to learn philosophy, history, and culture in English.
  ⇒ Students will acquire knowledge necessary in a global society.
• The doctoral degree (science global leader) or other degrees granted to students who complete the program
  ⇒ Degree titles vary according to student’s field of study: science, engineering, or academic.
• Exit strategy for students is planned in collaboration with industry.
  ⇒ This program develops career plans including employment at companies and research institutes.
• A scholarship (about 200,000 yen/month) will be provided to students who apply for and pass the selection process.
  (The selection of scholarship students will be made after those who passed the February examination for master’s program are announced.)