On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, the first annual meeting was held online at the Interuniversity JDP Council of Japan, where Gifu University serves as the chair, and 109 people in total from 29 universities and 1 institution attended.
The Council was established in April 2022, with 12 member universities and 24 observer universities participating. The purpose of this Council is to improve issues in the operation of the Joint Degree Program (JDP), share information, consider measures to utilize the JDP and future prospects, summarize opinions and requests regarding the JDP, make proposals to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), as well as advice for universities that are launching new JDPs.
After opening address by MATSUO Seiichi, chancellor of Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS) and UEMATSU Yoshihiko, chairman of the Interuniversity JDP Council of Japan, TAKEDA Kuniko, senior specialist of International Affairs Division, Higher Education Bureau of the MEXT gave a lecture entitled "Joint Degree 101" on the overview of the JDP system, the status of its establishment, and general contents of revisions.
The discussion then proceeded to the agenda, which included issues related to the operation of the JDP and proposals to the MEXT, the number of full-time faculty members for international cooperative majors, and a survey on the career paths of JDP graduates. Afterwards, presentations were made by Nagoya University, University of Tsukuba, Ritsumeikan University, Hiroshima University, Yamaguchi University, and Tokyo Medical and Dental University on their respective efforts in implementing the JDP, and the participating institutions shared information on the current status, issues, future efforts, and proposals to the MEXT.
Finally, YOSHIDA Kazuhiro, vice president and vice chancellor of THERS, and president of Gifu University, delivered a closing address.
The Council will continue to hold general meetings on a regular basis to share the results and know-how of the JDP, aiming to develop more effective JDP nationwide, and to work on meaningful cooperation.
Opening address by MATSUO Seiich, chancellor of THERS
Lecture by TAKEDA Kuniko, senior specialist of International Affairs Division,
Higher Education Bureau of the MEXT
