Graduate School Program
FASID/GRIPS Joint Graduate Program
Overview
Message from the Directors / History / Mission / Features
■ Message from the Directors
Keijiro OTSUKA
Director, International Development Studies Program
Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
Tetsushi SONOBE
Director, FASID Graduate Program
Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
In this world of rapid globalization, Japan, as one of the leading donor nations, must play a central role in the field of international development. To this end, the FASID/GRIPS joint graduate program aims to foster first-class professionals who are capable of taking leadership roles.
The program, which began in 2000, attracts students and faculty from around the world, with English as the medium of instruction. The curriculum integrates practice and theory combined with the skills required to succeed in international communication, thus equipping students with the tools to play a key role in the global community. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the transfer of the knowledge gained in the program to the real world, internships and practical training are offered.
With the aim of establishing a program that is internationally recognized, successful candidates have to pass a rigorous selection process. These candidates represent the brightest students from a wide variety of backgrounds, which results in a rich learning environment.
In addition to the world-renowned faculty members of FASID and GRIPS, we invite leading scholars in the international development field to serve as lecturers, thus enhancing the overall quality of the program.
Our graduates serve on the cutting edge of development practices in all corners of the world. We are proud of what we have established, and hope that those who share our vision of contributing to the improvement of the situation in developing countries begin their quest by joining the FASID/GRIPS joint graduate program.
■ History
Once the recipient of international Official Development Assistance (ODA) herself, Japan developed herself to become one of the major donors in the world in the 1980s. In due course of development, in order to make appropriate contributions to the world as a leading donor, Japan realized the need to make the utmost effort to improve her ODA both in terms of quality and quantity. Among the various types of ODA, the field of human resource development received special attention and there was consensus that an urgent need existed to develop our own Japanese human resources to produce competent development practitioners and to improve the system of inviting students from abroad.
With this background, the proposal to establish a graduate school for international development was submitted to Shintaro Abe, then Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1985. Subsequently, a conference was organized to discuss this proposal, and the basic concept of a graduate school for international development was submitted to Tadashi Kuranari, the subsequent Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1988, a committee composed of academics and practitioners compiled a detailed report on an advanced educational and research institute for development cooperation for Hiroshi Mitsuzuka, the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Along with the suggestions in these reports, the Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID) was established in 1990. Since then, FASID has expanded various activities, such as training courses, research activities and others to strengthen the human resources in the field of international development. Since April 2000, FASID and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) have jointly conducted the International Development Studies Program (FASID/GRIPS Joint Graduate Program), in order to foster the human resources who can play an active role in the International Development community. This program offers a Master’s Program by coursework, with a scholarship program provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The Joint Program provides quality education in International Development Studies to graduates and professionals mainly from developing countries, but also Japan, to strengthen their understanding of and capacities to handle development-related issues.
■ Mission
The mission is to offer an integrated graduate program of development economics for the purpose of nurturing professionals with a future in the field of international development.
■ Features
- Focus on core issues
Students study contemporary and practical issues central in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, such as poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, gender equity, and industrialization. - Case study based lectures
Our lectures in applied areas are heavily based on case studies of our own empirical research in developing countries. In particular, emphasis is placed on the transferability of successful development experience in East Asia to South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. - Focus on practice
Our program aims to nurture excellence in theoretical analysis of current development issues, creative and effective policy design, and the presentation of these in international forums. - Starting with the basics
As an invaluable introduction for beginners, or a review for the seasoned economist, coursework starts with basic Economics, Statistics, and Development Economics, before moving systematically to applied and advanced topics. - Lectures on Japanese ODA and Japan’s development experience
Students can learn about the history, evolution, and delivery of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) in lectures given by Japanese practitioners and experts. Students also have opportunities to learn about the development path of Japan, which was once a recipient of international ODA. - Internship
After the one-year intensive coursework, students participate in an internship at international organizations, NGOs, and Japanese Government within Japan from October for up to six months. - A diverse student body
Students, coming from Japan and around the world, have substantial experience in policy-making, managing development projects, and research. Students thus have opportunities to discuss practical issues on a daily basis among themselves. The network of friends will be a great asset for graduates in their future. - All lectures offered in English
For those students with insufficient proficiency in the English language, the Intensive English Program (IEP) is offered to prepare them for the graduate coursework. During the coursework, students can also obtain support through the Academic English Support Program (AESP) to improve their English skills.
