Class of 2019 Program , Comprehensive Academy

Special Event: Getting to know Prof. Ohsumi

Time and Date: 16:00-18:00, July 31, 2019　(a networking session follows the event)
Place:Meeting Rooms 1 & 2, Building S2, Suzukakedai Campus

1. Orientation (1.5 hours)Explanation of course program and Q&A session.

First-term members may attend either of two sessions:
■June 13, at Ookayama Campus, or June 14, at Suzukakedai Campus

Second-term members may attend either of two sessions:
■September 26, at Suzukakedai Campus or September 27, at Ookayama Campus

2. Interview (30 minutes per person)

Individual interviews of all participants. Interviews will be held:
2Q: June 17, 19 or 21 (first-term members)
3Q: September 30, October 2 and 4 (second-term members)

3. Participant introduction session (15 minutes/person)

Participants introduce themselves and briefly summarize their research.
2Q: July 1 and 5
3Q: October 15 and 21

4. Group Discussion Project (3.5 hours)

Participants form groups and discuss the link between their research and society.

2Q: July 18, at Ookayama Campus (first-term members)
3Q: October 23, at Suzukakedai Campus (second-term members)
Both sessions are followed by a networking event.

5.　Research Plan Presentation Session (20 minutes/person)

Participants outline their research plans developed during the comprehensive research academy program.

2Q: August 5 and 9 (first-term members)
3Q: November 25 and 29 (second-term members)

6. Final Poster Presentation (2 hours with an additional reception)

Specialized and Comprehensive Academy Scholars present posters outlining the year’s results in an open atmosphere encouraging discussion.
January 24 at Suzukakedai Campus (all academy scholars)

Additional Events

Special Lecture:

Time and Date:January 24, 2020
Place: S8 Bldg 1F Lecture Hall, Suzukakedai Campus
"Intellectual Property"　　　Prof. Yuko Hayashi, Tokyo Tech
"Interdisciplinary Fusion"　　　Prof. Amane Koizumi, National Institutes for Natural Sciences

Post-training questionnaire (for all members of Comprehensive Academy in 2019)

After the three-month program, first-term (16) and second-term (13) 2019 Comprehensive Academy Scholars were asked to complete a questionnaire.
The survey aimed to determine the effectiveness of the program by asking participants to report on their experiences. The survey asked for feedback on (1) the usefulness of the training program to the participant, (2) how much time each participant was able to devote to research, (3) networking among participants during the program and (4) participant impressions on program events. In addition, participants were given the opportunity to provide open feedback. The overall response rate was 93%.
Participants generally evaluated the program favorably. In particular, many reported that the program provided them with a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers in different fields, and that the different perspectives of many participants stimulated them to think about their work in new ways. The survey identified a desire to further build and maintain long-term relationships within the 2019 program network, to facilitate further discussion with successive program members, and to include additional research communities from different backgrounds. Participants reported significant differences in how much time they could devote to research, ranging from 20% to 90%, but on the whole, most respondents said that it was difficult to coordinate their efforts during the training. According to the questionnaire, the most impressive event was the Getting to Know Prof. Ohsumi Special Event. In the open feedback section, many participants explained that the experiences of top researchers described in the program were very valuable, prompting many to reflect on their past work and adding a further dimension to their future research directions. We are carefully reviewing all of the feedback, which will allow us to further improve the Academy in subsequent years.

2019 Comprehensive Academy "New Research Challenge Incentive Grant"

16 first-term and 13 second-term academy scholars participated in the 2019 Comprehensive Academy. During the three months of the program, participants expanded their research horizons beyond their own expertise by collaborating with participants from diverse backgrounds, allowing all to better contextualize their work within social trends and needs. Unlike the members of the Specialized Academies, however, participants did not receive any dedicated funding to conduct this research upon completion of the short-term program. In October 2019, we established the "New Research Challenge Incentive Grant" that is funded through the National University Reform Initiative and Strengthening Grant with the enthusiastic support of the executive office and administrative staff. The aim of this grant is to encourage the realization of challenging new research projects developed by Comprehensive Academy participants. We feel that this funding will help support young researchers and improve the long-term research capabilities of the university.
We invited participants in the 2019 Comprehensive Academy to submit research proposals and received 25 applications, even though the application deadline was only two weeks due to the rapid deployment of the funding program. Six proposals were made by interdisciplinary teams incorporating participants from different fields. The funding is generally used to purchase experimental goods and other research equipment. Although this specific support will be provided for one year, we intend to continue supporting these participants throughout their long-term journey as growing researchers, thereby making the most of the exciting research proposals devised throughout our program.
We would like to express our gratitude to all those associated with this program for their support, efforts and encouragement in what can be a challenging time for young faculty members.

Participants :

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