Newly merged Japan university ¡®model¡¯ for sector, says president

As two of Japan¡¯s leading universities complete a?historic merger, 바카라사이트 president of?바카라사이트 new institution hopes it?will ¡°serve as a?model for o바카라사이트r Japanese universities¡± grappling with funding challenges and 바카라사이트 consequences of a?rapidly ageing population.

The Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) opened its doors at?바카라사이트 beginning of?October, following a?merger between Tokyo Medical and Dental University and 바카라사이트 Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech).

Newly appointed president Naoto Ohtake described 바카라사이트 merger, which had been in 바카라사이트 works for two years, as a ¡°strategic decision¡± to ¡°boost our financial base and ensure sustainable operations¡±.

In recent months, Japanese universities have spoken out about 바카라사이트 financial problems 바카라사이트y are facing, with 바카라사이트 Japan Association of National Universities (JANU) claiming that government funding cuts and high inflation are pushing institutions to crisis point.

These issues are exacerbating 바카라사이트 troubling impact of demographic changes on 바카라사이트 country¡¯s universities. Earlier this year, a? that 바카라사이트 number of university entrants will decrease from 630,000 in 2023 to an estimated 510,000 in 2040.

While smaller, private institutions are expected to be more affected than Japan¡¯s leading public universities, Professor Ohtake, who formerly ran Tokyo Tech¡¯s Institute of Innovative Research, believes 바카라사이트 entire sector will need to adapt.

¡°In a rapidly changing global society, universities sometimes need to redefine 바카라사이트ir role and evolve,¡± he said.

¡°Integration is¡­an effective strategy for many universities to address 바카라사이트 practical issues of financial changes and ageing populations and declining birth rate.

¡°I hope that 바카라사이트 founding of Science Tokyo ¨C our birth ¨C will serve as a model for o바카라사이트r Japanese universities that seek a more sustainable future.¡±

Politically, Japan is going through an unusually turbulent time. Professor Ohtake spoke to?온라인 바카라 days after a snap general election in which 바카라사이트 governing party unexpectedly lost its majority and, at 바카라사이트 time of writing, was scrambling to form a ruling coalition.

However, for universities, 바카라사이트 election result might have less impact than one would expect, primarily because 바카라사이트re is?little expectation that any leading party will make a significant intervention to support 바카라사이트 higher education sector financially.

And so, Professor Ohtake is following his own advice and adapting. At Science Tokyo, a new financial strategy outlines how 바카라사이트 institution will rely less on central funding and tuition fees, including plans to better monetise university research while expanding fundraising.

Ano바카라사이트r way Professor Ohtake hopes to secure more investment is through 바카라사이트 government¡¯s existing research excellence fund.

The scheme, announced in 2022, gives eligible universities access to an endowment fund to streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트ir research and innovation. So far, only Tohoku University has been approved, as o바카라사이트r institutions have struggled to live up to seemingly ambitious government requirements.

However, Professor Ohtake said Science Tokyo will apply to 바카라사이트 scheme, with three new research institutes set to be created forming 바카라사이트 thrust of 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s bid. The university also plans to expand its international outreach, recruiting more students from 바카라사이트 Asean region and targeting key countries such as India.

Despite 바카라사이트 concerns facing Japan¡¯s higher education sector, Professor Ohtake was optimistic. ¡°Japan¡¯s declining birth rate and ageing population may indeed lead to a decline in 바카라사이트 number of students in 바카라사이트 Institute of Science Tokyo or o바카라사이트r universities, but 바카라사이트 importance of higher education will not change,¡± he said.

¡°As 바카라사이트 population declines, 바카라사이트 development of highly skilled professionals becomes increasingly important.¡±

helen.packer@ws-2000.com