Joint Doctoral Program for Sustainability Research

The Joint Doctoral Program for Sustainability Research is an integrated program jointly offered by Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) and the University of Electro-Communications (UEC). This program was established in 2019 based on the idea that the mission and significance of sustainability research is to work towards solving the global challenges facing humanity today, especially those related to development, environment and peace.
The term "Sustainable Development" was originally coined by the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) in 1987, when environmental issues were at the forefront of its global agenda. Conventional sustainability research has also placed environmental issues at its core.
On the other hand, the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" adopted at the United Nations Summit in September 2015 set forth the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are international goals for the period from 2016 to 2030. The SDGs cover a wide range of issues related to development, include not only environmental issues, but also poverty, health and hygiene, education, governance, and peace. Like the SDGs, this program takes a broad view of "sustainability".
The SDGs have been presented as principles by the United Nations, and this program considers the strengths of the three universities: “Language, liberal arts, and area studies" (TUFS), “Food, energy, and life sciences" (TUAT), "Information and communications (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and photonics” (UEC). Then we focus on practical issues from the perspective of collaboration between the humanities and science and engage in research that aims for practical solutions

Features

• This program develops human resources based on the results of various cooperative projects by the three universities to date.
• We will train strong human resources who are active both at home and abroad through the cooperation of a unique universities of arts and sciences.
• We aim to develop practical and effective education in the vicinity of the West Tokyo area.
• We will promote research in integrated new fields.

Image of human resources to be trained

We will develop interdisciplinary professionals who are able to generate innovation by understanding the global challenges of globalization as a cross-disciplinary problem and incorporating the results of research in other fields for the sustainable development of humanity in the future from a professional standpoint.

Specific abilities and learning

• International outlook and ethics based on universal and practical learning (international senses)
• Practical basic ethics and techniques that can be applied in a wide range of international settings.
• Advanced and specialized knowledge and research capabilities in such fields as politics and economics, food and life, energy, resources and environment, ICT and AI, medicine, welfare and health.
• Ability to understand the background and values of different cultures and disciplines, and the ability to apply and reconcile diverse views
• Ability to think logically and communicate effectively with international audiences.

Specific abilities and learning

• YOKOI Hiroshi
• HASHIYAMA Tomonori
• YAMAMOTO Kayoko
• ENOKI Koji