Announcement of Selection Results for the
“Establishment of Hub Institutions for
Fundamental Research and Human
Resource Development Program” under
MEXT Promotion of “Science of Science,
Technology and Innovation Policy”
17 January 2012
This notice announces the recent selection decision by the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on applications for the
“Establishment of Institutions for Fundamental Research and
Human Resource
Development Program” under MEXT promotion of “Science of Science,
Technology and
Innovation Policy”.
1. Outline of the Program
MEXT has started to implement the Establishment of Hub Institutions for
Fundamental Research and
Human Resource Development Program (the
Program), as part of its efforts launched in 2011 to promote the Science of
Science, Technology and
Innovation Policy.
The aims of the Program are to support universities (“hub institutions”)
involved in developing research personnel to advance the Science of
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and human resources (HR) to
facilitate its social implementation, and to establish a network structure
joining these hub institutions in order to enable nationwide, systematic HR
development
.
2. Application and Selection Process
(1)
Application
Eligible institutions: national, public and private universities with
postgraduate program(s)
Types of hub institutions subject to application:
x
A “
Hub of Institutions
” will take a leading role to advance the Science
of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and will establish HR
development programs incorporating multidisciplinary curricula to
foster HR capable of enhancing the Science and demonstrating
initiative in global society. This Hub of Institutions will assume a
leadership role in coordinating all other hub institutions
.
x
x
“
Field Pioneering Hub Institutions
” will establish HR development
programs independent of existing programs and leverage strengths
in their respective fields of expertise to enhance the Science of
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. These Field Pioneering
Hub Institutions will foster HR capable of enhancing the Science and
demonstrating initiative in global society. They will facilitate inter-hub
coordination by assisting the
Hub of Institutions
.
Application Period: 30 August to 7 October 2011
Application Briefing Session: 6 September 2011
Three Hub of Institutions proposals and 13 Field Pioneering Hub
Institutions proposals were submitted in response to the call for
applications.
(2)
Selection
The Steering Committee, which is responsible for overseeing MEXT’s
overall promotion of Science of Science, Technology and Innovation
Policy (see attachment), selected the following institutions after
conducting a review of submitted proposals and interviews.
3. Selected Institutions
(1) Hub of Institutions: 1
Name of Institution Representative
<Director of Institution> Concept Outline
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
President Takashi Shiraishi <Vice President Tatsuo Oyama>
We will establish a master's program and doctoral program in the Science of Science, Technology and
Innovation Policy with the aim of fostering HR capable of planning, implementing, evaluating and
improving science, technology and innovation policy by leveraging competencies in identifying and understanding social issues and scientific methodologies.
We will guide inter-hub collaboration and promote education and
research while providing impetus for development of the academic discipline and community of the Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.
(2) Field Pioneering Hub Institutions: 4
Name of Institution (Joint Submitter (JS)) Representative (Representative of JS) < Director of Institution > Concept Outline
The University of Tokyo
President Junichi Hamada <Prof. Hideaki Shiroyama, Graduate School of Public
Policy>
We will establish an interdepartmental education program within existing postgraduate programs with the aim of developing HR to undertake
policymaking and science, technology and innovation research focusing on the fields of public policy and engineering. We will establish an education program leveraging the university's
multidisciplinary strength, and promote interdisciplinary education and research in the humanities and sciences with the aim of fostering HR competent in both policymaking processes and building evidence-based platforms.
Hitotsubashi University
President Susumu Yamauchi <Assoc. Prof. Yaichi Aoshima,
Institute of Innovation Research>
We will seek to develop people who can undertake interdisciplinary innovation research with a foundation in social sciences that includes management and economics as well as incorporates knowledge in natural sciences and engineering. We will also seek to develop highly skilled people who can effectively implement R&D management. To achieve these objectives, we will newly establish a doctoral-level certificate course.
Osaka University (Kyoto University)
President Toshio Hirano (President Hiroshi
We will establish a minor specialization as a part of existing master's programs
Matsumoto) <Prof. Tadashi Kobayashi,
Center for the Study of Communication-Design>
with the aim of developing HR to establish intermediates between
academic disciplines as well as between academics, policy and society with a focus on ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) in science and technology. We will promote education and research incorporating the needs and
characteristics of the Kansai region through cooperation between both universities based on multidisciplinary strength.
Kyushu University
President Setsuo Arikawa <Prof. Akiya Nagata,
Graduate School of Economics>
We will establish a specialized course consisting of interdisciplinary
postgraduate subjects with the aim of developing HR to bring together relevant fields of expertise and the Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy with a focus on East Asian and regional innovation, and to ultimately develop this course into an academic major.
We will establish the “East Asian Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Education and Research Center” leveraging the strengths of the university's
multidisciplinary education and research resources, and to promote education and research characterized by a regional focus.
4. Program Period
Fifteen years unless otherwise stipulated.
5. Future Schedule
x
The Program will commence upon entering into agreements with the
selected institutions.
x
Upon being established, the “Preparatory Sub-Committee for Organizing
Institutions”, which comprises the representatives of each of the selected
institutions and the members of the Steering Committee, will formulate a
draft outlining the hub institution network to enable nationwide, systematic
HR development. A final decision on the overall structure of the hub
institution network will then be made by the Steering Committee.
x
Each hub institution will start accepting student applications during fiscal
year 2012.
x
Each institution will commence their respective HR development
programs during fiscal year 2013.
Attachment: List of Members of the Steering Committee for the
Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
