Joint International Master's Programme

Goals and Objectives

The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University – University of Graz) is the first Joint Degree Program for Hiroshima University (HU) established with the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University – Leipzig University).

The Joint Degree program can provide distinctive intellectual training for students, through developing a curriculum shared by HU and the partner university, by means of academic supervision involving close collaboration with faculty members from both HU and partner university.

In addition, from following the two-year curriculum, including study abroad for one year, students can develop a broad perspective, multi-view thinking and skills, to cope with various issues, through joint collaboration with other students who have different cultures and various backgrounds.

Our program offers a two-year master's course in collaboration with the University of Graz (UG) and students study at both HU and UG for one year each. Graduates are awarded a Master’s degree (Master of Science), which is jointly awarded by both universities. The admission quota is two students, who chose HU and UG as their entrance (home) university, respectively.

Our program emphasizes Sustainable Development and aims to train the students, as follows.

Students who possess ability to conduct research and engage in practice based on the fundamental principles of international cooperation in development studies through social science approaches, in order to resolve the pressing regional and global issues related to the SDGs, especially the issues of poverty reduction, and those who have excellent collaboration and communication skills and exhibit competitive capability for employment in the international labor market of universities, research institutions, governments and international organizations, private sectors, and NGO, etc.

*The “entrance university” is defined as the university where students are enrolled as regular students, and where students start the program and spend at least the first semester and last semester.

 

Human Resource Development Goals

Students who possess ability to conduct research and engage in practice based on the fundamental principles of international cooperation in development studies through social science approaches, in order to resolve the pressing regional and global issues related to the SDGs, especially the issues of poverty reduction, and those who have excellent collaboration and communication skills and exhibit competitive capability for employment in the international labor market of universities, research institutions, governments and international organizations, private sectors, and NGO, etc.

3 Policies of Master’s Course

(1) Diploma Policy

This program will award the degree Master of Science to the student who has acquired the capabilities described below, has earned the required credits defined for the education course, and has passed the master's thesis examination and the final examination:

1. The ability to understand scientific way of thinking and methods required for the autonomous
    conduct of research activities and the capacity for decision making based on various types of
    evidence;

2. Skills required for active work in society, such as writing, discussion, conflict intervention,
    cooperation, planning, and management;


3. Communication skills required for cooperating with people of different backgrounds, with the aim
    of developing intercultural competency while fostering the understanding of differences in
    viewpoints between Europe and Asia;

4. The ability to select and use both appropriate knowledge and scientific approaches, as well as
    interdisciplinary research methods, to address complex issues;

5. The ability to understand the natural, social, and economic aspects of the concept of sustainable
    development and their complex interrelations;

6. Research and practical skills required for contributing to solving global problems and achieving
    SDGs, based on the fundamental principles of international cooperation in development studies.

(2) Curriculum Policy

To enable students to achieve the targets that are defined in the diploma policy, this course organizes and executes the education curriculum according to the following guidelines:

1. Basic Subjects are provided to allow students to develop capabilities required for studies
    regarding sustainable development, such as the capability for thinking based on a generalized
    viewpoint and fundamental ability to explore sustainable development from various points of
    view.

2. Specialization Subjects are provided to deepen understanding about theories regarding
    development economics and their application to global issues, sustainable business management,
    and the complex relations between economics and environmentally-friendly business
    management.

3. Bringing together the various scientific approaches studied up to now, Integration Subjects
    are provided to deepen students' understanding of sustainable development and to enhance
    practical skills, as well as to encourage students to explore their research field more deeply,
    develop their career after graduation and enhance their intellectual curiosity.

4. Master Thesis Classes are provided as a method to acquire the research capabilities and practical
    skills aimed at the achievement of the SDGs, based on the fundamental principles of international
    cooperation in development studies, in addition to conducting independent research.

 

(3) Admission Policy

Our program is seeking applicants who possess the following aspirations and motivations and essential academic abilities.

1. Persons who have a certain level of English proficiency and are interested in sustainable
    development issues, especially global sustainability issues.

2. Persons who are motivated to analyze and evaluate complex processes from an interdisciplinary
    viewpoint based on the fundamental principles of international cooperation in development
    studies.

In order to admit such individuals, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences selects applicants through a multifaceted and comprehensive evaluation process based on its own Diploma Policy and Curriculum Policy, using oral examination, the submitted documents, and external examinations.

Admission Information

For entry in October 2024, please refer here. 


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