Programs

Joint Degree Program (JD Program)

In April 2024, TCU will begin offering a new master’s program in collaboration with Edith Cowan University, the International Collaborative Program of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Sustainability, as part of its Graduate School of Environmental and Information Studies. The program is the mainstay of the project selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for the 2022 strategic funding program for the promotion of university education revitalization, the “Inter-University Exchange Project (Re-Inventing Japan Project): Support for Creation of Inter-University Exchanges in the Indo-Pacific Region”. It is based on the international cooperative education course system. The program, also known as the Joint Degree Program, is designed to award a single degree to students who have completed a single joint educational program established between partner universities in Japan and abroad under the joint names of these partner universities. The overseas partner university for this program is Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia, which is the where we send students to participate in the Tokyo City University Australia Program (TAP). To realize a carbon neutral society, we will work with the university to develop human resources capable of demonstrating leadership in the Asia-Pacific region. TCU students enrolling in this program will be required to spend one semester in Perth, Australia, taking courses offered by ECU. Upon completion of the requirements, including 15 credits from courses offered by TCU and 15 credits from courses offered by ECU, and upon successful completion of a master’s thesis or other research project and a final examination, students will be conferred a joint degree (Master of Environmental Studies) in English under the names of TCU and ECU.

Program Outline

Offered degree: Master of Environmental Studies
Overseas partner university: Edith Cowan University, Australia
Number of students to be admitted: 5 TCU students and 5 ECU students
Entry requirements: Applicants must satisfy the requirements for both TCU’s and ECU’s master’s programs (including an IELTS score of at least 6.5, bachelor’s degree, etc.).
Duration: 2 years
Language: English
Campus: TCU Yokohama Campus (3-3-1 Ushikubo-Nishi, Tsuzuki-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa)
Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Australia

What Degree Seekers Should Strive to Be

In the Asia-Pacific region, which is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and is expected to continue to emit more in the future, climate change countermeasures, including the introduction of decarbonization technologies, transformation of consumption structures, and improvement of social infrastructure, are paramount. TCU, which promotes education and research on the development and use of decarbonization technologies to achieve carbon neutrality, and Edith Cowan University, which explores the latest sustainability studies using Australia’s natural capital, will collaborate to encourage students to integrate different national perspectives and values, cultivate problem identification and solution skills and cross-cultural adaptability, and become leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.
Website of the International Collaborative Program of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Sustainability of Tokyo City University and Edith Cowan University: https://www.comm.tcu.ac.jp/ecu-iceis

JD Pilot Program

In preparation for the Joint Degree Program with Edith Cowan University, we conducted a pilot program as part of a trial of joint research and joint instruction according to the following schedule.

[Academic Year 2022] Program Outline:

• Students took English classes at Edith Cowan College (ECC).
• They visited and experienced labs during times when they were not participating in ECC.
• They attended seminars organized by the ECU Research Department.

Program schedule: February 6 to March 31, 2023

Host organization and accommodation: Mount Lawley Campus of Edith Cowan University, homestay

Participating students: 8

Questionnaire results for 8 participants

[Academic Year 2023] Program Outline:

• Students took English classes at Edith Cowan College (ECC).
• They visited and experienced labs during times when they were not participating in ECC.
• They attended seminars organized by the ECU Research Department.

Program schedule: August 4 to September 17, 2023

Host organization and accommodation: Mount Lawley Campus of Edith Cowan University, homestay

Participating students: 5

Reports of 5 participating students

Symposium (included as JV Campus content)

● Symposium. Following the selection of the program for the 2022 strategic funding program for the promotion of university education revitalization, the “Inter-University Exchange Project (Re-Inventing Japan Project): Support for Creation of Inter-University Exchanges in the Indo-Pacific Region,” we held a kick-off symposium to disseminate the details of the program within the university and to the outside world. In the main lecture session, professors from member universities of the Setagaya Six Universities Consortium spoke on Japanese language, Japanese culture, environmental issues, SDGs, and other topics, which were translated into English and posted on our website and JV-Campus.

1.Program name: Human Resource Development Program Contributing to the Realization of a Carbon Neutral Society at Asia Pacific International Campus
2.Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023, 13:30–16:45
3.Venue: TCU Hall (Setagaya Campus, Building No. 7, 1st floor) Note: Parts are available online.
4.Content: Greetings from President Chitose Miki, President of Tokyo City University; program outline briefing by Akira Taguchi, Program Manager (and Director of the International Center); case study presentation (online) by Takeo Okazaki, Professor of Computer Science and Intelligent Systems Program, Department of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus

AOFUA Summer Camp

The Asia Oceania Five Universities Alliance (AOFUA), formed by TCU, De La Salle University (Philippines), Edith Cowan University (Australia), Thammasat University SIIT (Thailand), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Malaysia), held its third summer camp, which is one of the AOFUA programs, to develop human resources capable of demonstrating leadership in the international community.

Duration: Program 1 (online): Thursday, July 6, and Friday, July 7, 2023; Program 2 (Project-based learning in Malaysia): Wednesday, July 12 to Sunday, July 16, 2023
Host (venue): Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Participants: 5 from TCU, 5 from MJIIT, 4 from DLSU, 5 from SIIT (online), 2 from ECU (online)

Following the first summer camp held in Yatsugatake in 2019, hosted by TCU, and the second hosted by DLSU in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, this third summer camp was hosted by MJIIT in a hybrid format consisting of both online and in-person sessions. 21 students from three universities participating from Kuala Lumpur (TCU, MJIIT, DLSU) and from two universities participating online (SIIT, ECU) attended lectures on four issues of the SDGs (No. 4 Quality Education, No. 2 Zero Hunger, No. 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, and No. 13 Climate Action), participated in workshops consisting of group work, and gave group presentations. Each group, which consisted of students from five countries, including online participants, was required to discuss, summarize, and make presentations, helping students develop the skills needed in a global environment, such as speaking, leadership, and overall ability within a multinational team of students. At the recent camp, the TCU students, who had TOEIC scores of 880 to 960, actively spoke and demonstrated leadership, just like the students from other universities. This was a valuable opportunity unique to AOFUA, and the summer camp will continue to be a great opportunity to motivate and inspire students. AOFUA Summer Camp is hosted by 5 universities in rotation, and the next camp will be hosted by Thammasat University SIIT in Thailand in 2024.

Voices of Participating Students

Online Exchange (introduction of hybrid lecture system)

In the 2024 academic year, TCU will launch a joint degree program with Edith Cowan University called the International Collaborative Program of Transdisciplinary Sciences for Sustainability. Students enrolling in this program from both universities will gather to study, attend lectures in person, and conduct research activities at the other university for a certain period of time.Students from universities affiliated with the Asia Oceania Five Universities Alliance (AOFUA) and those affiliated with the Setagaya Six Universities Consortium will also participate in classes and workshops online. In order to realize such hybrid classes and seminars, we have introduced a hybrid lecture system at Yokohama Campus, Building No. 3, Room #33G.

New Colombo Plan (NCP)

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to deepen knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by providing support for Australian students to study and undertake internships in the region. TCU began accepting Australian students (ECU students) under the plan in 2018, and our current program spans two weeks, with one week of study tours and another week of internship opportunities at Japanese companies such as the Tokyu Group and other. In the 2022 academic year, a total of 31 people (28 students and 3 teachers members) from ECU, a partner of the Tokyo City University Australia Program (TAP), came to Japan to engage in a training program from Monday, February 6 to Friday, February 17, 2023, at the TCU Setagaya and Yokohama Campuses. ECU students learned about Japanese culture, traditions, and history while building relationships with other students, including those who have participated in the TAP and international student supporters known as “Buddies.” They also participated in internships at companies and other institutions, as well as in activities at our laboratories. They also presented their research in English alongside TCU students at the Yokohama Campus, leading to a lively discussion on environmental issues and sustainability.

Orientation

Japanese language experience class

Zen meditation at Engakuji Temple

Tour to the Tokyo Skytree