Message from the Dean
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Message from the Dean As of 2020, the doctoral program at Nara Women's University comprises four majors, namely, Humanities, Life and Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Life Science and Engineering. Furthermore, the name of the graduate school was changed to the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences. This completes the series of reforms that followed the reorganization of the undergraduate school in 2014, the establishment of the joint major in Lifestyle Engineering (master's and doctoral programs) in 2016 in collaboration with Ochanomizu University, and the reorganization of the master's program in 2018, thus establishing a system of learning that leads from the undergraduate school to the master's and doctoral programs in the graduate school. Our graduate school is characterized by three general points, namely, 1) promotion of cutting-edge research backed by tradition, 2) a variety of generous educational and research support systems, and 3) the provision of a place where research can advance independently. Regarding the second feature, the university is constantly striving to enhance its educational and research environment. Examples include a long-term student system, a flexible educational guidance curriculum that includes evenings and holidays, programs for career development, and a childcare support system. Moreover, financial support measures for students include the SGC Fellowship and SGC+ programs for doctoral students, which began in 2021, and the SGC-NEXUS program, providing a research grant (equivalent to a salary) and research expenses, which was launched in 2024, thus allowing doctoral students to devote themselves to research without worrying about finances. In addition, we support the development of female researchers and specialists by introducing systems such as the Support System for Pre-Doctoral Master's Degree Completion and the Support System for Renewed Challenges for Young Female Researchers, offering support for those seeking admission to the doctoral program of the university by not charging admission fees and recognizing previously earned credits. The third characteristic of our graduate school is that the students play a leading role . We hope that all of you, who have a proactive and motivated awareness that you are the key people who will create a vibrant graduate school and build the future of Japan, will enroll in our graduate school and seek to improve yourselves through independent research activities under an appropriate research guidance system. To transform our society, which faces various problems, it is necessary for all of you with a high level of awareness to acquire a scientific viewpoint and grow by putting that perspective into practice. Our graduate school offers the best place for you to flourish as female researchers and professionals. Yoichi Yusa |
Regarding the first characteristic, Nara Women's University Graduate School
has a long tradition of producing female researchers and specialists. The
new graduate school, while drawing on this tradition, has established an
educational system that clarifies the principles and concepts of the basic
academic disciplines that form the foundation of students education and
allows for advanced and interdisciplinary research activities that transcend
the boundaries of disciplines. Distinctive, cutting-edge studies are being
conducted in each research area, and graduate students are encouraged to
pursue such research on their own.
