Global Asia Research Center
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Reconciliation and Sustainable Development
The Global Asia Research Center aims to conduct interdisciplinary research on the twin themes of reconciliation and sustainable development, and to disseminate the results of such research from Asia to the rest of the world. We aim to create new academic knowledge originating from Asia by systematically examining issues that arise multilaterally in the three dimensions of peace and security, economics and development, and society and culture from the two perspectives of global history (temporal axis) and global governance (spatial axis).
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1 World-class Instruction through the International Network
A total of 11 Joint Appointment (JA) and visiting faculty members were invited from 2018. By offering graduate school courses, thesis guidance, thesis writing seminars, field work, and more, we were able to provide international-level education to our students and strengthen our teaching system. JA faculty and visiting faculty members held public lectures face-to-face, online, and in hybrid formats to attract a wide range of participants from inside and outside of the University and realized exchanges and collaborations with world-class universities.
2 Establishing the International Association for Reconciliation Studies
Waseda University was the first university in the humanities and social sciences to win a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research in the New Area of Scientific Research for "The Creation of Reconciliation Studies" and held an event in collaboration with the JSPS Core-to-Core Program Project A titled "The EU and Japan in a Global Liberal Order in Flux". In 2020, the International Association for Reconciliation Studies headed by a member of the Center was established, and the first international conference was held in the new academic field. In 2022, we invited Professor Carol Gluck of Columbia University, a world-renowned professor, to host a symposium.
3 Publishing and Providing Open Access to Textbooks in English
In September 2022, Springer Link published the articles "Sustainable development disciplines for society: Breaking down the 5Ps - People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships" and "Sustainable development disciplines for humanity: Breaking down the People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships." Potential readers are international students from Asia and other countries (who will eventually become leaders in their home countries), and each faculty member approached development issues from the perspective of one of the SDGs from his/her own discipline. Publishing an English textbook based on the faculty's research results is a tangible achievement of the TGU Global Asia Research Center, which has education as one of its objectives. Future omnibus format lectures on development studies will be offered based on this book, and its use in the actual curricula of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Graduate School of Social Sciences will be promoted, thereby enhancing its compatibility with actual educational activities and curricula.
4 Concluding the Cotutelle and Double Degree Program
The Cotutelle Program between the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies started in 2019, and we received 1 student. The Cotutelle Program between ULB and the Graduate School of Political Science and Economics started in 2021 as well, and we sent 1 student. In 2019, the Double Degree Program between the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University and the Graduate School of Social Sciences at Waseda University started, and we sent 1 student while receiving 2 students. In addition, ULB and the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies at Waseda University started the Double Degree Program as well, and we sent 1 student while receiving 7 students. Students can obtain a degree from a top overseas university in addition to their degree from Waseda University, giving them an advantage in the job market and the possibility of future international collaborative research after completing the program.
5 Ranking in the Top 100 in Three QS Ranking Categories
Since the establishment of the Global Asia Research Center in 2017, the University has conducted diverse international education and research activities, including inviting JA and visiting faculty from universities around the world, such as Europe, the U.S., and Asia. It has also held various symposia and workshops and accepted and sent students through the Cotutelle and Double Degree programs. The University was ranked 46th in political science in 2018, 82nd in sociology in 2017 and 2019, and 70th in law in 2020. These achievements can be attributed to the various activities conducted by the Center, which also contributed significantly to the rankings.
GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS
OUR LAST SYMPOSIUM
In academic year 2023, the final year of MEXT support period, we held a series of symposia to highlight the successful outcomes to date in the unit. The following is a report of the symposium.
MOVING FORWARD
Providing a High-Quality International Education and Research Environment
The Global Asia Research Center will continue to provide a high-quality international education and research environment through the education and research activities of JA/visiting faculty members and international education programs such as the Double Degree Program and Cotutelle Program with overseas partner universities. We will also aim to further develop international education and research by inviting internationally renowned researchers and holding symposiums and providing research guidance to the graduate students.
Encouraging Graduate Students to Study at Overseas Partner Universities
Aiming to nurture and strengthen the international mindset of graduate students, the Global Asia Research Center will encourage students to take advantage of mid- to long-term overseas study abroad programs. In addition to educational programs such as the Double Degree Program and Cotutelle Program, we will also promote sending students as researchers and encourage them to create an international research network for their future careers as researchers.