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.

I. 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.

II. 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

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.

The International Economic Development Program fosters advanced professionals and researchers who can contribute creatively and collaboratively to development policy planning, implementations, evaluations and improvements towards promotion of sustainable development goals, through acquisition of global perspectives, and knowledge and skills necessary in evidence-based interdisciplinary social science.

The art and science of policy making is entering into a new era. The paradigm shift is upgrading the process of policy making and its impact evaluation from a personal-experience-based subjective approach to a more objective, evidence-based one.

Evidence-based decision making does not merely mean the utilization of data; rather, it explicitly prohibits doing so, by acknowledging the wisdom that what our data shows in front of our eyes is just the correlation, and not the causation that we need to base our decision. The fact that “people with higher education enjoy higher income” does not imply “promoting higher education promotes income growth.” The fact that “countries with higher child birth rates face higher poverty” does not imply “suppressing child birth reduces poverty.” The fact that “cities with better sewage have better child health” does not imply “better sewage improves child health.”
If we want to know the impact of the policy to tackle these problems, we must find the truth hidden behind the observed data. The art of science of finding the truth in this way is the evidence-based decision making that we offer.

In order to tackle various development issues such as economic development, environmental conservation, poverty alleviation, and urban/rural dynamics, The International Economic Development Program provides the systematic curriculum to cultivate abilities for identifying/targeting issues, applied analysis, policy proposals that can link advanced social science methods to practical problem solving. Additionally, this program offers learning and training opportunities to develop professional communication skills to work with diverse stakeholders and leadership in problem solving.

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 Development Economic Program”.
(URL:https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/system/files/138299/e17_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:

The International Economic Development Program 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, We 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 program 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.

From JDS Fellow:

Mr. Faisal Idrees
1st batch (2020 -)

It has now been almost one year in Hiroshima University as the 2nd semester comes to close in August and we are going to become senior students (Sempai). The time spent here in Japan has been very smooth so far despite the inconvenience caused by Covid-19 epidemic, as it has done in rest of the world. I was able to witness firsthand the coherence of Japanese system and society, which very successfully insulated us from the ensuing stress which most of the world had to experience. During these exceptional times, the efforts made by Hiroshima University are commendable to ensure the smooth sailing of academic life of the students.

My experience at Hiroshima University has been marvelous. It is among the top-ranking universities of Japan, third largest and no doubt one of the most serene campuses in Japan. The campus is covered in lush green vegetation and has two man-made lakes. One of these lakes even has the facility of bird watching. Autumn is the most splendid season at the campus with a blast of all kinds of autumn hues. The university is in rather rural settings but the university town, Saijo, is quite a sizeable town and if you are not satiated with it, Hiroshima city is just 40 minutes ride from Saijo railway station. Hence, the campus is located at the ideal confluence of rural serenity and hustle bustle of a big city. The university has a rich social life having a lot of clubs like archery club, riding club, swimming club, sports clubs and music club etc. Besides this the international student plaza at the campus not only helps international students by providing guidance but also arranges interaction between foreign and Japanese students.

The academic life is equally enthralling. The special focus on research is hallmark of this university and the students are organized into ‘labs’. Every student is provided a personal space along with a computer and internet connection. Each lab works under a Professor and constitutes a mix of PhD and graduate students. This provides a great opportunity of learning and exchange of ideas in an informal way with senior graduate students and PhD scholars. Lab becomes second home and lab mates as family members. Hence learning becomes fun and doing research an interesting affair.