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 2018, HU has over 15,000 students including nearly 1,600 international students from different 73 countries.

The Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC) was established in April 1994. Our goal is to train experts who can address various pivotal issues for the international society. In particular, IDEC has worked on various challenging issues faced by developing countries through international environmental cooperation, international educational cooperation, and international peace cooperation. These three areas are mutually interrelated, and complement each other.
To achieve our goal, IDEC has been accepting many international students. Most of them come from Asian and African countries. As of March 2018, IDEC has 2,062 alumni from 69 countries.

I. Key Features of Education at IDEC

(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
IDEC 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. IDEC 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.

II. Special Education Programs

IDEC 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
One of our aims is to establish a center for training environmental leaders capable of identifying problems and formulating strategic solutions at national or local levels through interdisciplinary and international perspectives. The global issue of reducing carbon emissions is an example of such a problem and the need for solutions. Another aim is to provide a platform for collaboration between industry, government and academia to promote cutting-edge environmental research and create coherent practical solutions for environmental issues on a global scale that is not limited to developing countries. We seek to provide value-added knowledge to those engaged in international cooperation. Achieving these aims requires addressing five areas: urban system design to prevent global warming, wise use of biomass resources, environmental impact assessment, policy and institutional design and environmental education. Our intention is for developing countries to work hand in hand with Japan to develop international environmental leaders, a task that we will undertake in an effective and practical manner.
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)
HU is currently promoting the “Formation of a Strategic Center for Global Internship” (commonly known as the “G.ecbo program”) following the 2007 adoption of the Support Program for Improvement of Graduate School Education. 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.

For more details, refer to
http://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/en-gecbo/.

Developing countries today are facing various difficulties, including rapid population growth, regional conflicts, deteriorating standard of living and environmental problems. Insufficient social infrastructure, particularly in education and medical conditions and technological level, impedes socioeconomic development in developing countries.

Therefore, it is of the utmost urgency that we nurture young researchers and planners who are experts in their specialized areas and have willingness to contribute to international cooperation. Through its innovative educational program, IDEC aims to provide educational opportunities for students to learn about the interdisciplinary and practical subjects necessary for international development and cooperation, including economics, environmental science, engineering, ecology, agricultural science, pedagogy, sociology, international politics and peace science. The school as a gathering with international characters offers a special place where the students with different expertise from various countries with different cultural, social, educational, political, and economical backgrounds are able to foster closer ties each other and share the common agenda and goals in international development and cooperation.

JDS Fellows will belong to Development Policy Course in the Division of Development Science. The aim of the Division is to nurture specialists who contribute to creating sustainable society in developing countries in social, economic and environmental aspects, namely professionals for international institutions and aid-providing organizations, administrators and academic researchers. The division offers courses on various issues on economic development, socio-political and peace studies, environmental management, infrastructure planning and design, and biological resources development. The courses are designed to provide a systematic and efficient teaching and research by utilizing an integrated approach to the social and natural sciences and methodologies.

Key Features of Education in the Development Policy Course
JDS Fellows will belong to the Development Policy Course. The Course provides the program that consists of three phases: preliminary education (phase I), practical education and research (phase II), follow-up training (phase III). The usual program (for all students including non-JDS Fellows) is also implemented in phase II.

(1) Usual Program in Phase II

(2) JDS Special Program

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

Minimum of 30 credits through course 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 2018 academic year is attached. Students will choose subjects mainly from “Development Policy Course” but also can select some subjects offered by other 4 courses (Development Technology Course, Peace and Coexistence Course, Educational Development Course, and Cultural and Regional Studies Course) as free electives.
(URL:https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/idec/current_students/syllabus_timetable)

List of subjects offered in 2018 academic year (Reference)

[Common Subjects I]

[Common Subjects II]

[Common subjects for the Division of Development Science]

[Development Policy]

Acquiring Credits for Master’s Program

Notes:

• (1) Under the guidance of the supervisor, the student must take three subjects to be done as required electives. Students who take more than 6 credits as common subjects I･II must consult with their supervisor and include these subjects in categories ‘2’ (subjects specified by the supervisor) or ‘4’ (free electives outside of the subjects specified by the supervisor and may be subjects taken at another graduate school). As a rule, students are to consult with their supervisor on the 12 credits or more they are to take from the list of established specified courses.
• (1) Students are required to take one seminar as specified by the supervisor. Students are allowed to take a maximum of 8 credits for seminars. Those taking more than 4 credits for seminars must consult with their supervisor and include those credits in categories ‘2’ (subjects specified by the supervisor) or ‘4’ (free electives outside of the subjects specified by the supervisor and may be subjects taken at another graduate school).

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.

Professors who will cease regular teaching within the standard completion period of the thesis.

(Reference)

Fall Semester (October 1 - March 31)

October 1

Entrance Ceremony, Orientation

October 2 – February 14

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 15 - March 31

End-of- Academic-Year Holidays

Spring Semester (April 1 - September 30)

April 1 - April 7

Spring Vacation

April 8 – August 8

Classes

Mid April

Deadline of Class Registration

End of July

Thesis Submission (IDEC)

Mid-August

Thesis Defense (IDEC)

August 9 - 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
IDEC 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 IDEC 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:

The Development Policy Course started accepting JDS Fellows in 2002 and currently we have JDS Fellows from six countries (Bangladesh, Kyrgyz Republic, Ghana, Nepal, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka). We also have students dispatched from governments mainly in Asian countries, under MEXT, Japanese government, the World Bank, and other scholarships. During lectures, seminars, or in student research rooms, students are actively participating in the discussion, exchanging their views and stimulating one another.

HU is a research based university. In line with this policy, IDEC requires a thesis for the fulfillment of the master’s degree, which is different from the coursework-based curriculum typically found in professional schools. It is not a very easy task to compile a master’s thesis based on independent research. In fact, students need to spend significant time and resources. However, it is expected that this experience will enable you to acquire specialized academic and practical knowledge in your area of specialization. To ensure that you can pursue research of a high standard that achieves a good result, at the time of joining our course we require applicants to have a good command of English. Some knowledge of economics is also highly desirable.

In the campus surrounded by abundant nature in the suburbs of Hiroshima city, you can give your full attention to your study. Your each and every experience here will serve as an excellent base for your further steps as a professional government official. We welcome you to Hiroshima University.