From university research centers to international research hubs?
by Charles Jannuzi
In the post-bubble Japan of the 1990s, the private sector's ability to finance scientific research and development went into stagnation and then decline. So from 1995 on the government has pursued an expanded role in the management and funding of scientific R&D at annual levels that equal or exceed 1% of GDP. In great part this has been through the dominant role of its super-ministry, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and its five-year 'Science and Technology Basic Plans'.
In order to increase public subsidy of scientific research-- while at the same time forcing research universities and research institutes to compete for funds--MEXT established a 'Centers of Excellence' program. However, this turned out to be a fairly diffuse program, paying for the construction of dozens of new research facilities all over the country at the former national universities and a handful of elite private ones. While this did a lot to help refurbish the appearance of the visibly deteriorated national universities, its actual boost to important scientific results is questionable.
It seems that the ministry was betting on being able 'to seed' indiscriminately a rather large number of projects in many different fields. Critics pointed out that in the process there had been a lack from the top down of any selectivity or a sense of priorities. The MEXT's even-handed beneficence (at least towards its former national universities and some top private institutions, such as Keio U. and Waseda U.) led to the scatter-shot construction of dozens of relatively small-scale facilities hosted by second-tier institutions.
The subsequent dilution of focus and, more importantly, the total amounts of funding did not impress the greater world community of Big Science. Most of the money went into the physical construction of the facilities as opposed actually to funding research. Moreover, it has been difficult for the colleges of science and technology at many universities to staff the new research centers appropriately because they lack long track records of achievement in research. This lack of a history combined with contractual employment seem to be too risky and potentially unstable for many junior careerists.
Under the prerogatives of its third Science and Technology Basic Plan (begun 2006), the MEXT sought to address the issues of a lack of priorities and inadequacy of scale. Most significantly it announced a long-term, deep-pocketed but highly selective program it calls the 'World Premier International Research Center Initiative' (WPIRCI). The WPIRCI was to be a contest that rewarded only FIVE institutions in fiscal year 2007. But the winners will get at least ten years of support (with five year renewals based on documented results). And the funding totals could approach a figure close to USD $60 million. Most importantly, since some support has to come from the host institutions, much of the new funding may actually go towards high-priority research and not be completely exhausted on the construction of new facilities.
The results of the competition were announced and explained in late 2007, with some updates appearing last month (Feb. 2008) . For those who follow scientific research at the (former) national universities and (the former) national research institutes in Japan, the results were quite predictable. Japan's top-ranked research universities, whose establishment goes back to the old imperial system, are the winners. They are Tokyo University, Kyoto University, Tohoku University and Osaka University. The former national research institute, The National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), will also host a new center. NIMS's work in nano-technology and nano-architechtonics is done in partnership with still yet another former national university, University of Tsukuba (a new science university that does not have imperial system roots).
Although the new centers will be hosted by long-established research institutions, they are supposed to break from tradition in at least two ways. First, research and operations will have English as their official language (even if this proves to be impossible in Japan). And they must hire at least 20% foreign nationals. Most likely many of these will be chosen from the foreign nationals already at the institutions doing doctoral or post-doctoral work. Presumably even some Japanese nationals will be forced into a contractual personnel system, with contracts being 5 or 7 years.
According to updated information recently posted at the website of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) <http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/index.html>
the results are:
1. Tohoku University - WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research
2. The University of Tokyo - Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe
3. Kyoto University - Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences
4. Osaka University - Immunology Frontier Research Center
5. National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) - International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics
Showing posts with label World Premier International Research Center Initiative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Premier International Research Center Initiative. Show all posts
03 February 2008
Japan aims for 'world class' universities
Japan aims for 'world class' universities
by Charles Jannuzi
Introduction
The government of Japan is pushing for a consolidation and revitalization of the university system, formulating specific targets. Of the hundreds of universities here, 30 are supposed to emerge competitively as truly 'world-class' institutions. From amongst this group of 30, a very select group of five are supposed to attain a top 30 global ranking. And at the top of this super group of five, one of these must make it into the global top 10.
The elite among the masses
Japan has a total of over 1250 universities, junior colleges, and technical colleges. This higher education sector is only exceeded in size and scope in the developed world by the US system (although developing China is gaining fast on both). In terms of its impact on society and the workplace, the system is unsurpassed in the non-Anglophone world. However, despite the enormous size, this system can only boast of one university in the top 20 of major global rankings--University of Tokyo or 'Toudai' for short.
Toudai is joined on an expanded list of the top 100 by only a handful of universities, such as the University of Kyoto, the University of Osaka, the University of Tohoku, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. All but one of these dominant institutions have their roots in the former imperial university system of the pre-war period, and all are former national universities in the post-war period, with denationalization taking effect in spring 2004.
The population of high school graduates has declined drastically since the mid-1990s. Because of the decline, advisers to the government have said that a drastic reduction in the number of institutions is necessary. For example, some have said that the number of four-year universities ought to be halved by 2020 through consolidations, mergers and campus closures.
Thirty makes a nice round figure
Along with the goal to consolidate and eliminate over-capacity in the higher education sector, the government has pushed for a thorough revitalization of the university system. It has formulated specific targets to indicate how success will be measured. Of the hundreds of universities, 30 are supposed to emerge competitively as truly 'world-class' institutions. From amongst this group of 30, a very select group of five are supposed to attain a top 30 global ranking. And at the top of this super group of five, one of these must make it into the global top 10.
Reformers are pushing for a down-sized system that can compete globally in terms of (1) taught programs beyond the undergraduate level, (2) quantity and quality of basic and applied research, and (3) independence and diversity in financial resources, such as endowments and investment trusts. These ambitious goals far from being realized system wide, though a well-positioned core of around 50 universities and institutes has emerged as historically and geographically set to flourish in the newly liberalized, competitive environment.
If five universities in Japan could get into the top 30 of major global rankings in the very near future, the most likely candidates would have to be the following: University of Tokyo, University of Kyoto, University of Osaka, University of Tohoku, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and possibly the University of Tsukuba. It is no coincidence that four are former imperial universities, and all are former national universities.
What factors are vital to universities in Japan if they hope to get into or stay in the domestic top 30 of 'world-class' institutions? Here is what to look for when trying to determine their chances. The contenders (whether former national, public, or private) must have all of the following:
--a college of science, engineering and technology,
--graduate schools to the doctoral level,
--a college of medicine or pharmacology,
--at least one subsidized, government-designated' Centre of Excellence',
--a subsidized, government-designated 'Venture Business Laboratory',
--a subsidized, government-designated 'International Headquarters'.
Centres of Excellence
The national government has tried hard to help institutions attain world-class status. For example, there is the nationwide establishment of research-oriented 'Centres of Excellence' (COEs), mostly at the former national universities and a few elite private ones. Any university or institute that hoped for future top-30 ranking might have helped its case by winning the right to host one or more of the COEs.
The COEs now in place across the nation are supposed to focus their activities on doctoral and post-doctoral research and scholarship. Their impact in improving universities may take longer than the government hopes. Capable researchers already at work in the relative safety of existing 'laboratories' (co-operating research and teaching groups) have been reluctant to join the new centres. In part, this is because the COEs have no long record of results and often lack a 'sempai' (older mentor) for a younger researcher to work under. Meanwhile, post-doctoral researchers from abroad with only survival level Japanese, such as those on EU stipends, have found many of the centers unable to function with English as a common language for communication.
To encourage further competition amongst elite institutions for research money, in fiscal year 2007 the Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) also established a new program, the 'World Premier International Research Center Initiative' (WPI). So far, only the most predictable former national universities going back to the old imperial system (and some national research laboratories) have been rewarded; namely, Tokyo University, Kyoto University, Tohoku University and Osaka University.
Venture Business Laboratories
Only universities and institutes that can conduct research and scholarship at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels can host a COE. So universities of all types are now trying a more bottom-up strategy to raise funds and earn sustainable income: venture businesses (VBs).
By 2004 close to a thousand VBs (most at research institutes and universities) were in operation, with a record 179 created in 2003 alone. Clusters of VBs have sprung up in the urban areas, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. Unwilling to leave things to geographic chance, the national government has also funded 45 'venture business laboratories' (VBLs) nationwide, with many at regional second- and third-tier universities and institutes with faculties of science and technology.
Under the auspices of the VBLs, many of the VBs are joint ventures between a university and a group of investors or a company. Up until recently co-operation between universities and private enterprise usually put a top university in Japan into a tie-up with a top company in Japan. However, the climate of university reform in Japan has not gone unnoticed abroad. Most notably, in mid-2005, the US software giant, Microsoft, announced it would set up and finance a 'collaboration network', signing up a group of top universities and academics for joint research in IT as well as other areas of science. This adds a significant presence of Japanese universities in Microsoft's multi-billion dollar efforts to do overseas research.
Raising international profiles
One aspect a university being able to call itself 'world-class university' is whether or not its activities have an international profile. Japan's university system and its approach to academic endeavors outside of science and technology are often seen as insular and peculiarly Japanese.
In 2005 in order to promote 'internationalization' and 'globalization', the Japanese government created a fund to aid universities in setting up 'international headquarters'. Up until now, international exchange has most often meant Japanese institutions sponsoring and hosting scholars and scientists from overseas. Japanese universities had very little presence overseas.
Sixty-eight universities, both public and private, applied for the funds and an elite 20 were selected. This list of 20 deemed ready for exchange and research abroad is also representative of the very same universities that aspire for world-class status and global ranking.
As completely expected, at the top of the list of the 20 chosen for sanction and subsidy to expand overseas is University of Tokyo. Toudai, the 'Harvard of the East', was quick to sign a deal with a top university in the US--not Harvard, but rather its Ivy League rival, Yale. On November 2 last year, the two universities officially began the 'Initiative for Japanese Studies' as part of a much broader agreement for collaboration and exchange.
Venture Business Laboratory (VBL) on Univ. of Fukui NUC campus.
New high rise building that houses Univ. of Fukui's Center of Excellence
by Charles Jannuzi
Introduction
The government of Japan is pushing for a consolidation and revitalization of the university system, formulating specific targets. Of the hundreds of universities here, 30 are supposed to emerge competitively as truly 'world-class' institutions. From amongst this group of 30, a very select group of five are supposed to attain a top 30 global ranking. And at the top of this super group of five, one of these must make it into the global top 10.
The elite among the masses
Japan has a total of over 1250 universities, junior colleges, and technical colleges. This higher education sector is only exceeded in size and scope in the developed world by the US system (although developing China is gaining fast on both). In terms of its impact on society and the workplace, the system is unsurpassed in the non-Anglophone world. However, despite the enormous size, this system can only boast of one university in the top 20 of major global rankings--University of Tokyo or 'Toudai' for short.
Toudai is joined on an expanded list of the top 100 by only a handful of universities, such as the University of Kyoto, the University of Osaka, the University of Tohoku, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. All but one of these dominant institutions have their roots in the former imperial university system of the pre-war period, and all are former national universities in the post-war period, with denationalization taking effect in spring 2004.
The population of high school graduates has declined drastically since the mid-1990s. Because of the decline, advisers to the government have said that a drastic reduction in the number of institutions is necessary. For example, some have said that the number of four-year universities ought to be halved by 2020 through consolidations, mergers and campus closures.
Thirty makes a nice round figure
Along with the goal to consolidate and eliminate over-capacity in the higher education sector, the government has pushed for a thorough revitalization of the university system. It has formulated specific targets to indicate how success will be measured. Of the hundreds of universities, 30 are supposed to emerge competitively as truly 'world-class' institutions. From amongst this group of 30, a very select group of five are supposed to attain a top 30 global ranking. And at the top of this super group of five, one of these must make it into the global top 10.
Reformers are pushing for a down-sized system that can compete globally in terms of (1) taught programs beyond the undergraduate level, (2) quantity and quality of basic and applied research, and (3) independence and diversity in financial resources, such as endowments and investment trusts. These ambitious goals far from being realized system wide, though a well-positioned core of around 50 universities and institutes has emerged as historically and geographically set to flourish in the newly liberalized, competitive environment.
If five universities in Japan could get into the top 30 of major global rankings in the very near future, the most likely candidates would have to be the following: University of Tokyo, University of Kyoto, University of Osaka, University of Tohoku, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and possibly the University of Tsukuba. It is no coincidence that four are former imperial universities, and all are former national universities.
What factors are vital to universities in Japan if they hope to get into or stay in the domestic top 30 of 'world-class' institutions? Here is what to look for when trying to determine their chances. The contenders (whether former national, public, or private) must have all of the following:
--a college of science, engineering and technology,
--graduate schools to the doctoral level,
--a college of medicine or pharmacology,
--at least one subsidized, government-designated' Centre of Excellence',
--a subsidized, government-designated 'Venture Business Laboratory',
--a subsidized, government-designated 'International Headquarters'.
Centres of Excellence
The national government has tried hard to help institutions attain world-class status. For example, there is the nationwide establishment of research-oriented 'Centres of Excellence' (COEs), mostly at the former national universities and a few elite private ones. Any university or institute that hoped for future top-30 ranking might have helped its case by winning the right to host one or more of the COEs.
The COEs now in place across the nation are supposed to focus their activities on doctoral and post-doctoral research and scholarship. Their impact in improving universities may take longer than the government hopes. Capable researchers already at work in the relative safety of existing 'laboratories' (co-operating research and teaching groups) have been reluctant to join the new centres. In part, this is because the COEs have no long record of results and often lack a 'sempai' (older mentor) for a younger researcher to work under. Meanwhile, post-doctoral researchers from abroad with only survival level Japanese, such as those on EU stipends, have found many of the centers unable to function with English as a common language for communication.
To encourage further competition amongst elite institutions for research money, in fiscal year 2007 the Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) also established a new program, the 'World Premier International Research Center Initiative' (WPI). So far, only the most predictable former national universities going back to the old imperial system (and some national research laboratories) have been rewarded; namely, Tokyo University, Kyoto University, Tohoku University and Osaka University.
Venture Business Laboratories
Only universities and institutes that can conduct research and scholarship at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels can host a COE. So universities of all types are now trying a more bottom-up strategy to raise funds and earn sustainable income: venture businesses (VBs).
By 2004 close to a thousand VBs (most at research institutes and universities) were in operation, with a record 179 created in 2003 alone. Clusters of VBs have sprung up in the urban areas, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. Unwilling to leave things to geographic chance, the national government has also funded 45 'venture business laboratories' (VBLs) nationwide, with many at regional second- and third-tier universities and institutes with faculties of science and technology.
Under the auspices of the VBLs, many of the VBs are joint ventures between a university and a group of investors or a company. Up until recently co-operation between universities and private enterprise usually put a top university in Japan into a tie-up with a top company in Japan. However, the climate of university reform in Japan has not gone unnoticed abroad. Most notably, in mid-2005, the US software giant, Microsoft, announced it would set up and finance a 'collaboration network', signing up a group of top universities and academics for joint research in IT as well as other areas of science. This adds a significant presence of Japanese universities in Microsoft's multi-billion dollar efforts to do overseas research.
Raising international profiles
One aspect a university being able to call itself 'world-class university' is whether or not its activities have an international profile. Japan's university system and its approach to academic endeavors outside of science and technology are often seen as insular and peculiarly Japanese.
In 2005 in order to promote 'internationalization' and 'globalization', the Japanese government created a fund to aid universities in setting up 'international headquarters'. Up until now, international exchange has most often meant Japanese institutions sponsoring and hosting scholars and scientists from overseas. Japanese universities had very little presence overseas.
Sixty-eight universities, both public and private, applied for the funds and an elite 20 were selected. This list of 20 deemed ready for exchange and research abroad is also representative of the very same universities that aspire for world-class status and global ranking.
As completely expected, at the top of the list of the 20 chosen for sanction and subsidy to expand overseas is University of Tokyo. Toudai, the 'Harvard of the East', was quick to sign a deal with a top university in the US--not Harvard, but rather its Ivy League rival, Yale. On November 2 last year, the two universities officially began the 'Initiative for Japanese Studies' as part of a much broader agreement for collaboration and exchange.
Venture Business Laboratory (VBL) on Univ. of Fukui NUC campus.
New high rise building that houses Univ. of Fukui's Center of Excellence
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