“SETOUCHI - Its Natural Environment and Society”
Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Okayama University
The SETOUCHI region, where Okayama University is located, is in the central part of western Japan, facing the Seto Inland Sea, which has about three thousand islands. The inhabitants of the region have led their own way of life since ancient times. Thanks to its rich natural resources, beautiful nature, and convenient location on shipping routes, this region used to be economically flourishing and a unique culture developed. However, urbanization and industrialization have polluted the sea and islands. Younger people have also been giving up an inconvenient life style and moving to cities for better opportunities. Thus, Setouchi is confronted by serious environmental and social issues, such as sea and river pollution, and the difficulties concerned with a super-aged society living in old mountain villages, etc.
This two-week summer program aims to provide students from all around the world with opportunities to learn about the Setouchi region and to advance the SDGs with a clear picture of Setouchi’s past, present and future through a lecture series, concerning topics such as the revitalization of mountain villages, tourism in a small island, community involvement in the historical town, Kurashiki, the Setouchi Art Festival, and its influence on local people’s lifestyles.
In addition to actively participating in special lectures (in English), participants will be expected to do a weekend of independent field work in Kurashiki, where they will stay on July 7th and will visit Naoshima island for the final fieldwork on July 11. Japanese Language classes are also available. After fieldwork students will prepare presentations on selected topics to be presented at the Summer Student Forum in 2018.
2.About Okayama University
Okayama University is a top-class national research university with over 140 years of history. We have 11 faculties, 7 graduate schools, and offer a variety of stimulating programs for students interested in all fields of study. At Okayama University, you can gain a unique learning experience which will positively impact the future success of your academic and professional career.
Not only the Okayama ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) project, a multi-stake holder platform including Okayama City and Okayama University, was awarded the UNESCO-Japan Prize for ESD in 2016 but Okayama City received also the UNESCO Learning city Award in 2017.
Furthermore, Okayama University has had the special honor of being one of the few higher education institutions selected by the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as a Super Global University.
3.About Okayama
Okayama, is known as the “Land of Sunshine” because of its good weather. It has a reputation for being safe from natural disasters and the crime rate is low. The terrain within the city is flat so it is easy to get around by bicycle. The university is conveniently located near to Okayama station, which is a central hub. You can get to Kyoto in 60 minutes and to Tokyo in three and a half hours by bullet train.
4.Details about Okayama University Summer Program 2018
●Period: July 1, 2018 (Sunday) – July 14, 2018 (Saturday)
●Certificate & Credit:
Those who successfully complete the program will be awarded a certificate and 3
credits from the Center for Global Partners and Education, Okayama University.
●Total number of participants: 45 maximum (Minimum number 20)
If the total number of applicants who qualify to take the course does not meet
the minimum required number, this summer program may be cancelled. The
decision about whether or not this program will be carried out will be made and
announced by May 25, 2018 (Friday).
●Program Contents:
This program offers many opportunities to learn about the natural environment
and society from the point of view of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
and to conduct field work in Kurashiki city and on Naoshima Island.
A) Lecture Topics: SDGs, Setouchi’s natural environment, Satoyama
conservation, Social issues in Setouchi, Community learning center,
Living with cultural heritage, Sustainable tourism development,
Naoshima’s contemporary art and architecture, etc.
B) Japanese Language Program (Novice-Intermediate)
C) Field Work: Historical areas in Kurashiki city & Naoshima Island.
D) Optional excursions (A visit to a hot spring (Onsen), Hiroshima, or Himeji)
NOTE: Fees for the optional excursions are not included in our
calculation of tuition fees.
5.Eligibility of Application
Undergraduate students who are studying in universities with which Okayama University has an agreement for academic or student exchange will be given priority. Undergraduate students from other overseas higher education institutions are also encouraged to apply. However, such candidates cannot be considered as candidates for the JASSO scholarship.
6.Language Requirements
Since English is the medium language of instruction in this program, students are required to be proficient in English. Students who are non-native speaker of English must submit one of the following documents as proof of English proficiency,
TOEFL iBT 61 or above
IELTS 5.5 with an equivalent mark of the CEFR B2 level or above
Other English test scores which can be considered as equivalent to the CEFR
B2 level or above.
NOTE: CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages.
* If you have any questions regarding this English proficiency requirement,
please contact our program coordinator (see #13).
7.Summer Program tuition and fees
● Tuition & Fees 108,000 JPY
● Accommodation (Options available – Prices vary)
48,000 (twin room) – 50,400 (single room) JPY
NOTE: The above costs exclude the cost of air tickets, transportation fees from the
airport to Okayama University, as well as all personal expenses such as
travel insurance, food, etc.
8.Scholarship Opportunity for Students from Partner Institutions:
Students who are applying from one of our partner institutions and have an academic record of good standing are encouraged to apply for our scholarship program (80,000 JPY).
The official transcript from our partner institutions submitted with students’ applications for this Summer Program will be referred to when consideration is given to which students satisfy the criteria for the scholarship. The award decision will be made on June 1, 2018 (Friday).
9.IMPORTANT: Travel Insurance Requirements:
All participants are required to arrange travel insurance in their home countries before departing to Japan.
Students who arrive at Okayama University without proper insurance, are required to purchase Okayama university co-op insurance before attending the summer program. (Approximately 5,000 JPY for premium and 4,000JPY for membership deposit. Cash only).
10.How to Apply:
The application deadlines are:
First deadline: Feb 14, 2018 (Wednesday)
Second deadline: March 7, 2018 (Wednesday)
NOTE: Depending on the number of successful course applicants, an additional
deadline will be announced in the middle of March.
** The application for JASSO scholarships will be closed as soon as the required
number of recipients has been reached.
The following two documents are required. Please scan them and attach PDF files
with your application.
1. Current Enrollment Certificate
2. Academic Transcript
11.Application Acceptance Result
The application acceptance results will be announced as follows:
First period: March 1, 2018 (Thursday)
Second period: March 22, 2018 (Thursday)
Note: an additional application period may be announced in the middle of March.
** We will also inform students of their nomination for JASSO scholarship
candidacy if they are found to be eligible and qualified. Prompt application
is highly recommended since the total number of scholarship recipients is
limited.
12.VISAS
An entry visa to Japan is needed for students from certain countries. As soon as selection results are determined, related visa documents will be sent to the person-in-charge at your university. Students should apply for their visas at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.
13.Inquiries:
Should you have any questions, please contact the following person:
Contact : Mike Kitatsugi (NTA Business Support)
Email: okayama_summerschool@nta.co.jp
Nippon Travel Agency Co., Ltd
Okayama Branch, Chu-shikoku Convention Group
2-1-7, Ekimae-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0023 Japan
Direct : +81-90-8129-7623 FAX : +81-6-4796-3737
Regarding academic matters:
Summer Program Office
Mariko Uzuka, professor
Email:inquiry₋academic@okayama₋u.ac.jp
Okayama University
Center for Global Partnerships and Education
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/eng/prospective_students/Summer_Program.html