Hiroshima University (HU) was established by combining eight existing institutions in May 1949 under the National School Establishment Law. Later in 1953, the Hiroshima Prefectural Medical College was also added to the new HU. Some of these higher educational institutions already had brilliant traditions and histories of their own. Although these educational institutions suffered a great deal of damage due to the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, they were reconstructed and combined to become the new HU. In addition, Graduate Schools were established in 1953. The new HU has risen from the ruins of war like a phoenix, which is in fact the University's symbol.
HU has a long history of accepting international students. This commenced before World War II. As of May 2019, HU has over 15,000 students including nearly 1,900 international students from different 72 countries.

In the education and research area of humanities and social sciences which is socially required to be re-considered, it is required not only to promote knowledge of exploration studies that have been traditionally conducted in various fields but also to create new social values and methods for solving problems in a rapidly-changing society. To address such a requirement, this graduate school integrates faculties who are engaged in education and research in various graduate schools into one graduate school to establish an education and research organization in which the wall between fields is eliminated. This organization aims to develop human resources who are capable of sharing values with specialists of other fields and being engaged in cooperation for realizing such values by cultivating interest for other fields than their specialties in addition to the existing academic field. To conduct the education and research to achieve the aim described above, this graduate school introduces the degree program system that specifically indicates the image of human resources to be developed, diploma policy, and curriculum policy for the students who want to earn a degree and clearly describes the purpose and method of cooperation with the education course within and outside of the major course. It is expected that students will be allowed to expand their vision and develop their will and capability for communicating with each other beyond the differences in their specialty fields and nationality while studying in the same place as students of various fields that are not limited within the framework of the existing graduate school, students of various degree programs with different characteristics, and foreign and Japanese students who are engaged different issues and have different cultural and religious backgrounds. In response to the introduction of the degree program system, the name of the degree program is indicated in the diploma certification in addition to the major course name and the name of the specialty field to allow students to easily explain their specialties.

Key Features of Education
(1) Education Programs in English
We believe it is important to develop international professionals capable of writing academic articles and reports, communicating and conversing in English. Therefore, almost all lectures and seminars are provided in English.

(2) Systematic and Interdisciplinary Curriculum
We offers a systematic and interdisciplinary curriculum to produce specialists who can contribute to international development and cooperation in ways that cut across established academic disciplines. We offers integrated education and research programs in economic development, international affairs, cultural dynamics, engineering, biology, peace studies, educational development, regional studies, Asian cultures and interdisciplinary programs to develop global perspectives.

Special Education Programs
We offers special education programs designed to improve the qualifications and skills of students who plan to work in the field of international cooperation. The main features of these programs are as follows.

(1) Global Environmental Leaders Special

Education Program
GELs special education program has been implemented to foster young leaders who are capable of identifying problems and formulating strategic solutions at the national or local level through interdisciplinary and international perspectives. The needs for global environmental leader are increasing against recent complex environmental issues. The GELs program has two core courses: International Environmental Cooperation Studies for expanding interdisciplinary view and Practical Seminar on International Cooperation Project for developing communication skills with experts in different field. We also provide several trainings such as summer course where students can acquire practical technology and knowledge so that they can swiftly respond to the needs and trend of international society. Certificate of completion is conferred upon satisfying the requirements of the program.
To date, more than 100 students have joined this program. They are now taking a leading role in government, academia and research institutions and private companies all over the world.
For more details, go to
https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/idec/education/special_education/courses/gels

(2) Formation of a Strategic Center for Global Internship (G.ecbo)

From 2010 the "Global Internship Program Office" was placed under the authority of the International Center as a university-wide organization, and We are continuing to promote the G.ecbo Educational Program. G.ecbo is a practical education program that includes pre- and post-internship training designed to achieve viable outcomes from student internships. The following types of internships are available:

• (1) overseas internships, in which students go to a university or organization outside Japan.
• (2) domestic internships, in which foreign students go to a Japanese company or organization.
• (3) third-country internships, in which students from developing countries go to institutions in other developing countries.
• (4) follow-up research internships, in which students in doctoral programs go back to countries where they have previously worked.

Master’s program offers a wide range of courses and seminars of education research in Asia and African regions, in pursuit of its ultimate goal of realizing quality lifelong learning society and sustainable educational development in developing countries. Research areas covered in the program include Education Policy, Education Planning, Programme Evaluation, Human Resource Development for Education, Basic Education, Early Childhood Care and Education, Local Curriculum Development, Global Citizenship Education, Science and Mathematics Education, Higher Education, Inclusive Education, Language Education, and Sports Pedagogy.

Doctoral program aims to further develop the research, and lead the edge of teaching and research activities in educational development with due respect to the local contexts of the country. Moreover, the program aims to cultivate ability to conduct collaborative problem solving through international cooperation with global perspectives.

The medium of instruction of the program is basically English.

To obtain a Master’s degree, JDS Fellows need to satisfy the following requirements:

Minimum of 30 credits through program work;
Submission of a master’s thesis.

All students need to decide research topic and supervisors (one head-supervisor and two sub-supervisors) at the beginning of the first semester. Under the head-supervisor’s advice, students will choose subjects to enroll and start preparations for a master’s thesis.

List of subjects offered in 2020 academic year is attached. Students will choose subjects mainly from “International Education Development Program”.
(URL: https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/system/files/138319/e24_14.pdf)

Students need to decide their research topic and supervisors (one head-supervisor and two sub-supervisors) at the beginning of the first semester. Under the head-supervisor’s advice, students will choose subjects to enroll and start preparations for their master’s thesis.

（Reference）

Fall Semester (October 1 - March 31)

October 1

Entrance Ceremony, Orientation

October 1 - February 15

Classes

Early October

International Student Orientation (University-wide)

Mid October

Deadline of Class Registration

November 5

University Anniversary Day

December 26 - January 5

Winter Vacation

February 16 - March 31

End-of- Academic-Year Holidays

Spring Semester (April 1 - September 30)

April 1 - April 7

Spring Vacation

April 8 - August 10

Classes

Mid April

Deadline of Class Registration

End of July

Thesis Submission

Mid-August

Thesis Defense

August 11 - September 30

Summer Vacation

September 20

Graduation Ceremony

Dormitories
“Ikenoue Dormitory” (approx. 180 rooms for international students) and “International House” (60 single, 10 family units) located on the Higashi-Hiroshima campus are available for international students. The majority of students, however, live in privately-owned apartments.

Library
Our library has nearly a collection of 30,000 titles of books and journals. Our collection is mainly focused on economics of development, education development, international relations and Asia regional culture development.
"World Bank Information Kiosk" is placed for the purpose of introducing active discussions in academic area about the policy and actions of the World Bank. Students can access to "World Development Indicators Online" in our library. Flag ship publications, project reports, brochures and publications from the World Bank Tokyo Office are also available.
JDS fellows have full access to 5 other libraries on campus which has approximately 3,300,000 materials in its collection. Holding a huge collection of books and electronic journals, with a total combined area of 29,000 square meters, Hiroshima University Library System comprised of 5 libraries is one of the largest in the country.

Other facilities
Within the campus, we have welfare facilities such as various cafeteria, a travel agency office, stores, book shops, a drug store and a barber shop. Hiroshima University also has a post office, a university health service center, and a dental clinic in the campus. The International Center provides mental counseling service to international students in English.

From University:

We provide with broad interdisciplinary courses and develop high problem solving skills on the practical problem. Firstly, the faculty members have been involved many international cooperation projects for educational development. It allows for us to accumulate a lot of experiences and knowledge and to identify the practical needs of the developing countries. Some professors have been involved for the mathematics and science education project in Bangladesh since 2004. Since 2008, three of the faculty members were involved another science education project (STEPSAM 2) for Cambodia as consultants. In some other science and mathematics projects, such as SMASSE in Kenya, several professors were worked as consultants. Professors from Center for the Study of International Cooperation in Education (CICE) are also conducting some cooperation projects and research projects. Therefore, We have a lot of experiences and knowledge to how to develop the education in developing countries.

The educational development course has been accepted many Myanmar students from upper secondary school, teacher training college, and ministries. The successful applicants are as follows:
1) High English language proficiency
2) Clear reason for study in Hiroshima, or Japan. (We strongly suggest previous investigation about research theme in our program, and the applicants can explain why they cannot study in any other places).
3) Logical and empirical thinking.