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From left: President Aiji Tanaka, State Minister Soichiro Imaeda, Minister Masahito Moriyama, Vice President Shinji Wakao

On January 12, 2024, the Minister Masahito Moriyama of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), along with State Minister Soichiro Imaeda and several MEXT representatives, visited the Waseda University Research Innovation Center (Building 121), which stands as the University’s core research center specializing in industry-academia-government collaboration, to meet with University delegates. The high-profile gathering facilitated a fruitful exchange of opinions, reflecting a commitment to furthering academic and research initiatives for doctoral students.

The Delegates in Attendance: Reflecting the Shared Vision of MEXT and Waseda

                                                                                             Exchanging opinions

                                                                                         President Aiji Tanaka

MEXT established a task force to promote the active participation of doctoral personnel in society. By focusing on the strengths and appeal of doctoral candidates, MEXT seeks to encourage their active engagement not only within academia but also across diverse sectors of society. This visit to Waseda was marked by the notable participation of key University figures, including President Aiji Tanaka, Provost Koichi Suga, Vice Provost Takayuki Homma, Vice President for Research, and Industry-Academia Collaboration Shinji Wakao, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Tomoya Shibayama, Director of the Waseda Center for a Carbon Neutral Society (WCANS) Yasuhiro Hayashi, and Shigeki Sugano, Senior Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Additionally, the dialogue extended to five doctoral students from the University who contributed their perspectives on the Waseda doctoral support programs, of which they are also participants.

In his introductory address, President Tanaka extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and expressed the hope of a shared vision between Waseda University and MEXT for the future. President Tanaka not only acknowledged the vital support received from MEXT but also presented a heartfelt gesture of his thanks—a book authored by a student, chronicling the journey of their triumph over academic challenges.

                                                                                     Minister Masahito Moriyama

Following the president’s opening, Minister Moriyama took to the podium, emphasizing the pivotal role of doctoral programs in shaping individuals not just as thinkers but as contributors to societal advancement. His encouraging words reassured aspiring doctoral students that their pursuit is not a futile endeavor. Instead, he illuminated the bright prospects awaiting them in the professional realm, with companies eager to welcome the expertise cultivated through doctoral education. The minister also passionately advocated for elevating Japan’s knowledge quotient, ensuring it stands tall on the global stage.

Evolution of Support Programs for Doctoral Students at Waseda

The subsequent segments delved into the evolution of support programs for doctoral candidates. Vice Provost Homma unveiled the transformative journey of these initiatives from 2002 to the present, and also announced a new graduate program in carbon neutrality set to launch in 2024. Vice President Wakao and Director Hayashi showcased the Pioneering Research Program for a Waseda Open Innovation Ecosystem (W-SPRING) and the Power Energy Professionals program (PEP), shedding light on how these initiatives propel doctoral students into leadership roles by fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international exposure. Director Shibayama, rounded off the first set of presentations by highlighting the initiatives our university is conducting to support the research and career development of aspiring entrepreneurs. He went in-depth about the functions of the Center for Entrepreneurship, WASEDA-EDGE programs and showcased students who have successfully started businesses using the resources offered by Waseda University.

                                                                          Ms. Jitsuno responding to a question

Doctoral Student Testimonials: Insights from Real-life Experience

The focus then turned to Waseda’s doctoral students. In a straightforward series of presentations, these students highlighted how programs such as PEP, W-SPRING, and WASEDA-EDGE played a crucial role in shaping their research journeys.

First to present was Yujiro Tanno, a PEP 1st year doctoral student. Tanno eloquently introduced his research and credited the PEP program for facilitating direct access to actual data from an electric company, a resource instrumental in shaping the trajectory of his work, and also providing a unique opportunity to study under the guidance of a professor from a U.S. university. Tanno’s future aspirations resonated with ambition—to publish in a prestigious journal and carve a niche as a dedicated researcher.

Following suit was Kenshin Chishima, a PEP 2^nd year doctoral student, who shed some light on his research about renewable energy. Chishima underscored the invaluable support provided by PEP in his academic pursuits and outlined his future goals of exploring renewable energies beyond hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and biomass.

Changing the focus, Kana Jitsuno, a W-SPRING 3rd year doctoral student, discussed her research in marine biotechnology. She provided insights into the organisms inhabiting the depths of the Japan Sea. Her journey with W-SPRING was marked by two transformative months aboard a research ship, collaborating with peers from 23 different countries—a testament to the program’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and networking.

Hiroki Tanaka, a W-SPRING 1st year doctoral student presented next and unravelled his research in architecture and earthquake-proof construction. Having previously received support from the Gap Fund Project and WASEDA-EDGE, Tanaka ventured into entrepreneurship, founding his own company, Urth inc. W-SPRING provided him with the resources to utilize a 3D Printer owned by another university and visit Silicon Valley for a closer look at cutting-edge technology. Tanaka concluded with his vision of supporting the next generation of researchers.

Shiho Aoki, a WASEDA-EDGE 1st year doctoral student, explained her research on Alzheimer’s, expressing gratitude for the support received through GTIE (Greater Tokyo Innovation Ecosystem). Her journey extended to Israel, where she studied about entrepreneurship for two weeks, fuelled by a future goal to enact societal change through her research.

Q&A with the Participants

                                                                      State Minister Imaeda asking a question

After the presentations by the students, the MEXT representatives probed the doctoral students and the Waseda faculty in a Q&A session. They sought insights into supporting students who do not have connections with industry. Additionally, they inquired about Waseda’s post-graduation support for budding entrepreneurs.

Vice Provost Homma described Waseda’s efforts to encourage doctoral students from the humanities and the sciences to pursue connections to industry, while Director Shibayama  highlighted that the support system at the Center for Entrepreneurship is not confined to the student years but extends beyond graduation, reflecting an enduring commitment to fostering entrepreneurial endeavours.

                                               Mr. Tanaka responding to a question from State Minister Imaeda

MEXT then posed a question to doctoral student Tanaka, seeking an explanation for why he returned to academia after successfully launching his own business. Tanaka, addressing the question directed at him, drew from his experience in Silicon Valley, noting that a significant number of CEOs held doctorates. Recognizing the value of advanced education among industry leaders, he chose to return to school to enhance his competitiveness.

The second set of questions honed in on the transformative impact of support programs. A MEXT representative directed a question to all of the students asking where they would be without the support they received. Tanno candidly shared that, without the backing of PEP, the societal perception of prolonged university study might have posed challenges, but the program facilitated a more nuanced conversation about his dual role as a researcher and student.

President Tanaka chimed in, challenging the misconception that doctoral students are confined to hyper-specific topics. He emphasized that these students are adept at the broader skill of learning how to learn, making them exceptionally capable of tackling diverse challenges in the professional arena.

The exchange of opinions was followed by a video summarizing the November 2023 “Waseda Open Innovation Forum” and the achievements of our university’s industry-academia-government collaboration at the 1st floor gallery. With that, Waseda University’s dialogue with MEXT concluded, and remains a prime example of the institution’s commitment to furthering academic and research initiatives for its students through collaboration with the Government.

                                                                       The Research Innovation Center

*This article was written by the following Student Contributor: 
Yash Joshi
School of Creative Science and Engineering