In recent years, broader knowledge and analytical skills to cope with global environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity losses, desertification, pollution in developing countries, and so on that threaten the existence of humans have become necessary fundamental expertise for any areas related to global sustainability and international cooperation. In order to offer an additional educational opportunity for having such expertise, the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC) has been implementing the Global Environmental Leaders Special Education Program (GELs Program) since 2008. The GELs Program is to nurture global environmental leaders who are capable of identifying problems and formulating strategic solutions at the national and local level through interdisciplinary and international perspectives. Over 200 students have graduated with GELs program Certificate and are active in various environmental fields in the world.

GELs students can obtain necessary knowledge and skills to create a sustainable society based on students' individual specializations as well as interdisciplinary knowledge from experts in various fields.
GELs students can acquire communication skills by studying with peers with diverse backgrounds and areas of experience.
Certificate of completion is conferred upon satisfying the requirements of the program.

Students belonging to Graduate School of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society, International Peace and Co-existence Program / International Economic Development Program / International Education Development Program in Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, or Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering Program in Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering are welcome to register. Students who want to participate in GELs program is required to submit the registration form to IDEC office by the deadline. Please download the registration form by clicking the following.

Master students are required to take the following three classes (eight credits).

International Environmental Cooperation Studies (1st semester 1T): 2 credits
Environmental Management (1st semester 2T): 2 credits
Practical Seminar on International Cooperation Project (1st and 2nd semester): 2 credits/semester, 4 in total

Doctoral students are required to take the following one classes (four credits).

Practical Seminar on International Cooperation Project (1st and 2nd semester): 2 credits/semester, 4 in total

These classes cover a variety of issues concerning international environmental cooperation. Students acquire the basic and professional knowledge needed to apply social and natural scientific knowledge to the mitigation and adaptation of global environmental issues.

Interdisciplinary research teams conduct group work in order to acquire research project management expertise. Students develop research planning skills through the exploration of new fields and the tackling of complex environmental issues.

Support Office for the fields of International Development and Cooperation (IDEC)(GELs program)
koku-gaku {at} office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp (change {at} to appropriate mark)