International outreach initiatives in agriculture science and international development were the main focus of the presentations of Prof. Satoru Tsuchikawa, Dean of the Nagoya University Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences (GSBS), and Prof. Wataru Kusaka of the Graduate School of International Development (GSID) during the Nagoya University Entrance Ceremony for 2019 held on 22 October 2019 at the Umali Auditorium of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna.

   
           Prof. Satoru Tsuchikawa                            Prof. Wataru Kusaka

Dean Tsuchikawa reported that Nagoya University is among the few universities selected by the Japanese Government to offer international programs designed for international students with the objective of strengthening international competitiveness of Japanese higher education.

The university’s Program for Leading Graduate Schools works to advance the development of the university’s graduate schools by supporting dramatic reforms of their education programs towards providing top quality education around the world. One of the key components of this program is an overseas training program in cooperation with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The multi-disciplinary G30 International Programs, which are full-degree programs taught entirely in English, aim to cultivate excellent leaders and productive members of the global society who are able to develop innovative solutions through inquiry and analysis.

Another core component of Nagoya University's international outreach initiative is the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) which established satellite campuses in six countries, namely: Cambodia, Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Laos and the Philippines. In close collaboration with five graduate schools at Nagoya University, the ASCI coordinates the delivery of the Transnational Doctoral Programs for Leading Professionals in Asian Countries, a research-based hybrid doctoral program that provides opportunities for individuals, who already have a master's degree, to deepen their knowledge and experience and work towards a doctoral degree at Nagoya University without having to take time out from their career to do a full-time three-year study outside the country. In cooperation with the Graduate School of Law, the Graduate School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, the Graduate School of International Development and the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, this special doctoral program primarily targets professionals in government positions from the six countries that host its satellite campus facilities (visit asci.nagoya-u.ac.jp for more information).

For the satellite campus in the Philippines, NU focuses on programs offered by two Graduate Schools—the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science (GSBS) , and the Graduate School of International Development (GSID).

Under the transnational program, highly-qualified applicants for admission to GSBS may choose any specific fields in the areas of: Forest and Environmental Resources Sciences, Plant Production Sciences, Animal Sciences, and Applied Biosciences (for details, visit https://www.agr.nagoya-u.ac.jp/english/academics/academics-menu01.html).

Meanwhile, Dr. Kusaka Wataru shared that the GSID programs cater to the following individuals: 1) those who have a strong desire to conduct empirical research on the development problems that the international community, states, and civil society organizations tackle by using social science theories and methods, and to contribute to policy-making and implementation from a global perspective; 2) those who have the will to contribute to state- and community-building in cooperation with the international community and with a full understanding of national and local realities; and 3) those who are eager to realize sustainable development and just societies at the global level while establishing a worldwide network of governments, universities, international organizations, private companies, nongovernmental organizations, and individual citizens. Interested applicants for admission to GSID programs may choose any of the following areas of study: Economic Development Policy and Management, Peace and Governance, Inclusive Society and State, Program in Education and Human Resources Development, and Program in Poverty and Social Policy (for details, visit http://www.gsid.nagoya-u.ac.jp/global/index-en.html.)

(contributed by E. Cedicol)