Applications in October 2024 enrollment have been closed.
Thank you for the many applications!
Please refer to the following information for the next call.
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) WISE program (Program name: Excellent Leader Development for Super Smart Society by New Industry Creation and Diversity) is making a call for student applications. Applicants must be enrolling in Master course at TUAT in October 2024 and/or April 2024, and Doctoral course at TUAT in October 2024. Students in any areas and majors at TUAT are eligible.
With the goal of “Globally recognized research university”, we have been promoting education and research as a science-based research university that focuses on developing innovation leaders responsible for creating new industries through advanced graduate education in agriculture and engineering fields.
This program is based on agricultural science and engineering, and is defined as “creation of new industries = creation of new fields through advanced research capabilities.
We provide an integrated five-year education from the master’s (first semester of doctoral) to the doctoral (second semester of doctoral) level in order to foster outstanding doctoral candidates with the “ability to boldly conceive of the future and steadily execute step-by-step,” who can carry out the program.
The first stage of the curriculum aims to improve research conceptualization skills, form teams that transcend gender, nationality, and field of specialization, understand diversity for leadership acquisition, and improve international understanding and English debate skills. In the second stage, we aim to launch projects and establish collaborative research systems. In the third stage, students will develop an action plan to demonstrate the uniqueness of their own research in society.
All students who understand the purpose of this program and have interests in going on to a doctoral course are welcomed to apply.
Vision of Human Resources:
- Those who will offer solutions for the social challenges by cutting-edge technologies and knowledges in collaboration of agricultural and engineering sciences
- Those who will encourage diversity (e.g., gender, nationality, social experience, ways of thinking) for promoting innovation
- Excellent leaders who have the holistic perspectives, creativity, the appreciation and understanding of diversity, international competitiveness and high-level expertise
Qualification Requirements
Students who enrolled in the first year of the Master courses (including the first year of Professional Degree Course and the first year of the five-year integrated Doctoral course in BASE) at TUAT in October 2024 and/or April 2024, who have the intention to go on to the Doctoral courses at TUAT after obtaining Master degrees, and who have goals that match with the educational and research philosophies of the WISE Program.
Students who enrolled in the first year of the Doctoral courses (including the first year of Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences and the third year of the five-year integrated Doctoral course in BASE) at TUAT in October 2024 and who have goals that match with the educational and research philosophies of the WISE Program.
Applicants will be widely recruited, and there are no restrictions in regard to majors, area of research, nationality, gender, or working status (i.e., working adults are included).
* Before making your application to this program, you have to receive an approval of your primary supervisor. If you are admitted as a student of this program, contact each of your supervisors and confer on your future research plan.
* Students who pass the final selection and are formally admitted as the WISE-Program students shall take prescribed subjects. After obtaining required credits and passing the QE2, the student shall have “WISE Program completed” in the Diploma. The Master or Doctorate degree will be obtained from the graduate school of affiliation.
Selection / Admission Criteria for the Program
Initial Selection: Document Screening
A comprehensive assessment will be made based on of the reason for application and an academic record in the undergraduate course for master students or Master course for Ph.D. students.
Please read the following application guidelines carefully and submit the application form by the deadline.
Secondary Selection: Interview
A comprehensive assessment will be made of academic and research capabilities as well as the understanding of and enthusiasm for this Program through an 8-minute presentation on the following topics as well as a 7-minute Q&A session (total of 15 minutes for the interview).
For master students, please include the following topic during the presentation.
- Reasons why you are applying for the WISE Program
- Summary of the research carried out up to now and the future research plan
- Research prospect based on the expected learning experience in this program
- Future vision after completing this program and acquiring the degree
For doctoral students. please include the following topic during the presentation.
- Reasons why you are applying for the WISE Program
- Your opinion on the issues in “Understanding Diversity”
- Summary of the research carried out up to now and the future research plan
- Research prospect based on the expected learning experience in this program
- Future vision after completing this program and acquiring the degree
Total number of students admitted to the Program: M1 – Around 5 students; D1 – A few students
Application and Selection Schedule
Online Explanatory Sessions
Online explanatory sessions: 12:10-12:50 (both days) on September 11 (Wed) and 12 (Thu), 2024.
The contents will be the same on both days.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://tuat-jp.zoom.us/j/89803454818?pwd=YkNMekVwR3VKay8xZ1Uvc3VoZnY1UT09
Meeting ID: 898 0345 4818
Password: 648015
Application Period
From September 12 (Thu) to Noon of September 24 (Tue) 2024
Selection Period
Primary Selection (Document Screening): Successful applicants announced around in in the afternoon of October 3 (Thu).
Secondary Selection (Interviews): The interview will be held on-line on October 8 (Tue) (AM or PM).
* The details such as venue, time and way for presentation will be announced to successful applicants of the primary selection individually.
Final Results: Successful applicants will be announced by e-mail around in the afternoon of October 11 (Fri).
Orientation for WISE Program will be held from 15:00 to 17:00 on October 15 (Tue).
Documents to be submitted
Apply via Google Form (https://forms.gle/JdwyumaoLPqmQu1q9). Fill in your name, department, contact, and name and contact of the supervisor. Describe the following items in an application document (indicate your name in the file name and in the body of the text) and upload it after converting into PDF format.
For master students. please submit the PDF files including the following.
– Reasons why you are applying for the WISE Program (approx. 300 words)
– Summary of the research carried out up to now and the future research plan (approx. 300 -500 words)
– Research prospect based on the expected learning experience in this program (approx. 300 words)
– Future vision after completing this program and acquiring the degree (approx. 300 words)
For doctoral students. please submit the PDF files including the following.
– Reasons why you are applying for the WISE Program (approx. 300 words)
– Your opinion on the issues in “Understanding Diversity” (approx. 200 words)
– Summary of the research carried out up to now and the future research plan (approx. 300 -500 words)
– Research prospect based on the expected learning experience in this program (approx. 300 words)
– Future vision after completing this program and acquiring the degree (approx. 300 words)
Applicants who completed Master Course in other university should ask the university for your transcript of the academic record, scan and upload to the above Google Form (https://forms.gle/JdwyumaoLPqmQu1q9).
If you cannot receive your transcript by the application due date, please submit an alternative (e.g., a screenshot of the record display screen) if available, and indicate this in the remarks section. After the transcript is delivered, upload it to another Google Form (https://forms.gle/NrcPKZ4gDBDMWBWf7).
Applicants who completed Master Course in TUAT need not submit the transcript as the administrative section will check the score result.
For details about application procedures, please refer to the application guidelines.
Download the application guidelines
募集説明会の一部動画 A part of the explanatory session for 2024 Autumn
FAQ
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◆About application
Q1. I entered TUAT in April 2024. Am I eligible to apply for WISE Program?
A1. Master’s course students are eligible to apply. Doctoral students will be admitted only in October 2024.
Q2. Should I pay any tuition fee to enter the WISE Program?
A2. No, you don’t have to pay any extra fee.
Q3. I’m still not sure whether I will continue to doctoral course or get a job after completion of master’s course. Should I decide to enter a doctoral course before application?
A3. Basically WISE students will proceed to the doctoral course. However, it is natural that students think about various career options. Previously, there was a WISE student who proceeded to a doctoral course in another university after completion of a master’s course in TUAT. If possible, please continue your studies in the doctoral program, but we respect your choice. After you enter the WISE Program, you will have a chance to discuss with doctoral students, and international students beyond the boundaries of your field. You will learn not only your own research but also other students’ research, as well as known issues in society from engineers or farmers in the field. WISE Program is strongly recommended as you will have a broader perspective.
Q4. Is the application for WISE Program completed by attending the the explanation session?
A4. No. You need to submit the application form which you can obtain from our website. After that, document screening and interviews will be carried out. Please check the application guidelines carefully and submit your application documents before the deadline.
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◆About the class
Q1. I would like to ask how to manage normal classes in the graduate school or study abroad program with WISE Program. What will happen if those activities coincide with the courses of the WISE Program?
A1. Since WISE Program is an add-on program to be taken in addition to the classes and research at your graduate school, you should give priority to the courses and required activities at your graduate school. On the other hand, since there are some required courses for WISE students, we try to coordinate the schedule with students as much as possible, depending on the number of students. However, there are some students for whom it is difficult to make such arrangements. In such cases, we try to make it as flexible as possible by asking students to reconsider their courses, or to respond with make-up classes or alternative reports.
Q2. Can courses taken in the WISE program count toward completion requirements for the regular graduate major?
A2. Basically, each of these courses will be counted separately from the regular major. However, some courses are transferable to the requirements of the WISE Program. In addition to the regular major, completion of the WISE Program will be noted on the degree certificate.
Q3. For those who take this curriculum from the first semester (Master’s), they take various courses for 2 years from P1 to P2, and then move on to the next stage after the examination called QE1. However, for those who transfer from the Doctoral Program, will they have to take P1-P2 courses after entering the program?
A3. Those who transfer from the Doctoral Program will be admitted at the level of passing the QE1 examination. In order to obtain the necessary credits, you will take some courses together with the master’s students. Basically, you will take some courses to obtain the required number of credits during the three years from P3 to P5.
Q4. Is it possible to take some courses in P1 – P2 after transferring?
A4. Off course, it’s possible. We also have a system in place to recognize your voluntary activities as credits.
Q5. I plan to complete my degree early in my regular major. If so, how will I be able to complete the WISE Program?
A5. If you are going to complete your doctoral degree in 4 years, please do your best to complete the WISE Program within 4 years as well.
Q6. I will be a D1 (1st year PhD student) in October 2024. I would like to study abroad for a year after entering the PhD program. If I enter the WISE program now, is it possible for me to complete the program?
A6. Yes, it is possible. Even while you are studying abroad, we will make every possible effort to help you submit reports and attend some classes online.
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◆About WISE Program
Q1. There is no Ph.D. program in the Department of Industrial Technology and Innovation. Can I enter WISE Program?
A1. Currently, some students from the department belong to WISE Program. You will proceed to the doctoral course where your supervisor belongs to.
Q2. What kind of financial support is available for research activities?
A2. For the academic year 2024 only, master’s course students will be eligible for research assistant fees after screening.
Other information on internal and external financial support will be provided as it becomes available.
The WISE Program is strongly linked with the Institute for Fostering Leadership to create future value through Outstanding Research, Innovation and Sustainable Higher education (FLOuRISH Institute) for doctoral students, and the Institute also provides financial support. In addition, TUAT has a system to support students to be selected as Special Researchers of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and the WISE Program is actively involved in this system.