Signing Ceremony for the Basic Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Graduate School of Sustainable Development
As part of a project called the Waseda University - Peking University Joint Center for Instruction and Research, which was established in 2003 by Waseda University and Peking University, a ceremony was held to mark the signing of the Basic Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Graduate School of Sustainable Development. This new graduate school will have as its mission the collaborative nurturing of learned minds capable of tackling the many pressing issues facing our world today.
A tentative schedule has been set that will lay the groundwork for the actual opening of the joint graduate school. In September 2008, research work on sustainable development will commence sponsored by a consortium of industry, government, and academia In April 2009, a double degree program called "Environment & Sustainable Development" will become available at both the Waseda and Peking University campuses. Subsequently, as soon as final details between Japan and China are agreed upon, the Waseda University – Peking University Joint Graduate School will then open its doors for business.
The graduate school is founded on the following principles.
Apply the principals agreed upon at the Japan-China Summit of 2007
On December 28, 2007 at Peking University, Prime Minister Fukuda made the following important statement. "Through cooperation between Japan and China, together we will seek to nurture learned minds who have a truly global perspective, and produce talented graduates capable of contributing to resolve the many regional, and global issues affecting our society."
His counterpart, President Hu Jintao advocated the following position. "Development should be based on scientific advancement, and have as its objective, the achievement of a sustainable equilibrium throughout society-at-large from a human perspective." Based on this position, and with the combined intellectual talent of both countries, efforts can be made to lay a framework leading towards the collaborative exchanges of young minds between Japan and China, as well as the mutual nurturing of learned minds who will work to resolve the myriad of global problems confronting contemporary society.
Make a contribution to Japan's security and world peace
By communicating the experiences of policies and measures taken, as well as the problems faced by Japan during what was termed the "Period of Rapid Economic Growth, both countries can jointly work towards solving the pressing problems currently faced by China. Collaboration will have a positive impact not only on Japan's security, but also contribute to the enhancement of stability in the Asian region, and by default, global stability.
Create a new collaboration model among governments, industry, and academia
With the backing of the national and local governments of both countries, joint research based on a new framework of cooperation between governments, industry, and academia, will be undertaken, employing with full advantage, the technical skills and "know-how" of Japan's industrial sector. Moreover, by fostering a program where learned minds conduct collaborate research with the Graduate Student Educational Development Program, a framework for a new social contribution model aimed at development assistance for developing countries can be established.
Contact:
Waseda University, International Affairs Division, International Office,
PH: +81-3-3203-7747.
