Hitoshi Osaki, Director General of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Developments of Japan's University Reform

  • University Reform based on the University Council's Recommendations 1987–1996
  • Enactment of the Science and Technology Basic Law 1995
    Embodied in the Science and Technology Basic Plan (1996–2000) 1996
  • Monbusho's Inquiries to the University Council and the Science Council 1998, 1998
    - vision for the university in the 21st century and measures for realising it
    - Comprehensive promotion of research toward building a creative S&T-based nation
  • Enactment of the Governmental Organization Reform Law (under deliberation in the Diet)

University Reform Based on the University Council's Recommendations

  • Relaxing regulations on undergraduate curriculum in order to promote the integration of general and specialised education
  • Expanding and reinforcing postgraduate schools (courses)
  • Developing university interaction with society and industry
  • Promoting self-evaluation in universities
  • Strengthening the university president's leadership

Main Points of the Science and Technology Basic Plan and Its Implementation

  • Fostering young Scientists
    - Expanding and reinforcing graduate schools (courses)
    - A Plan for supporting 10.000 young scientists
  • Promoting Exchange and Cooperation across Institutes, Sectors and Countries
    - Enhancing scientists' mobility
    - Constructing Centers of Excellence and organising cooperative projects
  • Increasing competitive research funding and strengthening research evaluation
    - Launching new contracted research programs by investing in public corporations
    - Establishing government guidelines for evaluation government-funded R&D
  • Improving the R&D infrastructure
  • Promoting education in and public understanding of science and technology
  • Increasing the government's R&D investment

Main Items of Monbusho's Inquiries to the University Council and Science Council

1. University Council

- Vision for the university in the 21st century and measures for realising it

  • Appropiate scale of both undergraduate and postgraduate education
  • Reinforcement of postgraduate schools (courses) both in terms of quality and quantity
  • Improvement of undergraduate education corresponding to greater massification
  • Enhancement of university autonomy

2. Science Council

- Comprehensive promotion of research toward building a creative S&T-based nation

  • Vision of research in universities and related institutes
  • Concrete measures for the improvement of infrastructures such as systems, personnel, funding and facilities
  • Appropriate system for promoting research in priority fields
  • Reform of both the organisation and operation of science administration

Government Organisation Reform Related to Science and Technology

  1. Establishment of a Comprehensive Science and Technology Council
    - Deliberation of Government's basic S&T policy
    - Evaluation of S&T-related national projects
  2. Integration of the Monbusho and the Sscience and Technology Agenca
    - Reinforcement of a comprehensive and strategic S&T policy
  3. Reform of national universities organisations and administrations