International Conference on Sustainability Science 2009 Graduate Program in Sustainability Science ONUKI Motoharu Project Associate Professor Graduate Program in Sustainability Science Graduate School of Frontier Sciences The University of Tokyo Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS) New International Master s Program at Division of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, (Kashiwa Campus), the University of Tokyo, established in October, 2007. Supported by Transdisciplinary Initiative for Global Sustainability (TIGS) under Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S) ICSS 2009 2 1
Organization of GPSS IR3S Dept. of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies Dept. of Natural Environmental Studies Dept. of International Studies Graduate Program in Division of Sustainability Science Environmental Studies (GPSS) Dept. of Socio-Cultural Environmental Studies Dept. of Environment Systems Graduate School of Frontier Sciences The University of Tokyo ICSS 2009 3 Kashiwa Campus Kashiwa Campus <Metropolitan Tokyo> Hongo Campus <Kashiwa City> Komaba Campus ICSS 2009 4 2
Degree Master of Sustainability Science degree Ph.D. Program is under construction. It is unique that Inter-departmental program as a virtual department offers a degree. ICSS 2009 5 Nationality of the Students As of October 2008 Azerbaijan: 1 Bangladesh: 2 Bolivia: 1 Chile: 1 China: 2 Ethiopia: 1 Indonesia: 3 Jamaica: 1 Japan: 5 Nepal: 1 Philippines: 2 Slovakia: 1 Sri Lanka: 1 USA: 1 =>14 Nationalities in 23 students ICSS 2009 6 3
Academic Background of Students Communication, literature Language Religion International Studies Global Studies Environmental Engineering Chemical Engineering Information Technology Biology Forestry Architecture Agriculture ICSS 2009 7 Aims of GPSS To train internationally-minded professionals who can help create a sustainable society as leaders. IR3S is emphasizing education for future leaders, while IR3S is expected to improve the definition of sustainability science. ICSS 2009 8 4
Today s Presentation This presentation will not focus on the detailed definition of sustainability science but focus on the core principle of sustainability education in postgraduate level. while conceptualization of sustainability science should be continued in GPSS and IR3S. ICSS 2009 9 Transdisciplinarity Phenomena surrounding human beings are diverse, complicated and dynamic in nature. In order to understand them, human beings have been divided them into small parts, which have become individual academic disciplines. This analytic approach has worked well for a long time. Target fields of each Individual discipline are getting bigger and started to overlap each other. This is why many disciplines emphasize transdisciplinarity nowadays. ICSS 2009 10 5
Building Sustainable Society Especially, building a sustainable society which aims at assuring human well-being in future on this planet earth is one of the most diverse, complicated and even dynamic issues. Understanding diverse disciplines, and complicated (even) dynamic interactions among them is essential. Holistic understanding, transdisciplinary approach and structuring knowledge ICSS 2009 11 But, Are diversity, complexity and dynamics obstacles against understanding and building a sustainable society? Capability to maintain diversity, complexity and dynamics of the society is also essential. Accepting diversity and respect for minorities ICSS 2009 12 6
Experimental Short Programs Intensive Program on Sustainability (IPoS) 2004 - Present Looking to Sustainability in Asia, collaboration with Asian Institute of Technology Financial support by Nissan Science Foundation Youth Encounter on Sustainability (YES) 1999 - Present) Initiative by Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ICSS 2009 13 Experimental Short Programs ICSS 2009 14 7
Core principles of Sustainability Education Capability to understand the diverse, complex and dynamic (sustainable) society Holistically Structured knowledge and concepts in transdisciplinary manner Capability to structure knowledge, holistic understanding Capability to maintain diversity, complexity and dynamics Accepting diversity and respecting for minorities ICSS 2009 15 Curriculum Core courses: Compulsory Electives Capability to structure knowledge, holistic understanding Accepting diversity and respecting for minorities Holistically Structured knowledge and concepts in transdisciplinary manner -Seminar Course on Sustainability Science I-IV(C) ICSS 2009 16 8
Core courses To give structured knowledge and concepts in transdisciplinary manner Main part is from Environment Management Program, which Division of Environmental Studies has established as a core diploma program of Environmental Studies through transdisciplinary struggle between national science and social sicience. The rest of the courses are from latest result of IR3S flagship projects ICSS 2009 17 Env. MOT Curriculum Core courses: Compulsory Electives Offered by TIGS Offered by five departments in IES -Seminar Course on Sustainability Science I-IV(C) ICSS 2009 18 9
Kashiwa Campus Interdisciplinary Approaches Transdisciplinary Approaches to develop new academic disciplines Center of this structure, Traditional discipline oriented Graduate School of Frontier Sciences Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences Division of Biosciences Division of Environmental Studies Research Institutes ICSS 2009 19 Division of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences 5-departments Dept. of Human Engineered Environmental Studies Dept. of Natural Environmental Studies Dept. of Environment Systems Dept. of Socio-Cultural Environmental Studies Dept. of International Studies ICSS 2009 20 10
Development of Education Program for Environment & Sustainability Division of Environmental Studies (1999) 5 Departments, 70 faculty members, 600 students Environmental Management Program (2004) Leading to title of Environmental Planner Integrated Environmental Design Program (2006) Designing urban, rural, natural, social or human environment Master s Program in Sustainability Science (2007) Collaboration with other Japanese universities Leading to Master s Degree in Sustainability Science ICSS 2009 21 Core courses Components dealing with sociology, ethics, human security, and poverty are still insufficient. The Steering Committee of GPSS continues to work on improving the structure of the core courses to offer a well-structured curriculum on sustainability. ICSS 2009 22 11
Experiential Learning and Skills Oriented Practical Courses Skills to understand holistically and to structure relevant knowldege and complicated and dynamic interactions Structurizing knowledge Bird s Eye View and Systems Thinking System dynamics indicators Drawing Visions, Scenario Analysis ICSS 2009 23 Experiential Learning and Skills Oriented Practical Courses Accepting diversity and respect for minorities Group works and group discussion on concrete cases among diverse students and faculty members Japan s experience of environmental pollution problem, Sustainable campus or community,,,etc. Communication Skill Language Ability Skill for Interpreting different academic field Presentation Skill Leadership Skill Facilitation Skill Consensus Building Skill ICSS 2009 24 12
For Accepting Diversity and respecting for minorities Accepting students from a wide variety of specializations, backgrounds, culture and country. All lectures are carried in English. Several Scholarship Programs are available. As a result More than half of the students are international students. (Quota is 20/year) ICSS 2009 25 Steering committee Members Coordinator: Prof. Mino Dr. Yarime Dr. Onuki Representatives of 5 departments in Division of Environmental Studies Representative of TIGS/IR3S Continues discussions to update the core courses of curriculum. Relevant lectures are there, structuring into integrated courses and limiting the number of courses are more necessary. ICSS 2009 26 13
Conclusion Capability to understand the diverse, complex and dynamic (sustainable) society Holistically Structured knowledge and concepts in transdisciplinary manner Capability to structure knowledge, holistic understanding Capability to maintain diversity, complexity and dynamics Accepting diversity and respecting for minorities ICSS 2009 27 Graduate Program in Sustainability Science, Division of Environmental Studies, The University of Tokyo http://www.sustainability.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp ONUKI, Motoharu (Ph. D.) onuki@k.u-tokyo.ac.jp 14