Announcement
Four years after the establishment of the National University Corporation system, the situation of Japan's universities is still unstable. The total operational grants allocated to national universities in Japan amount to about 1.3 trillion yen, but it is a matter of debate whether these funds are being appropriately allocated and used in accordance with the mission of national universities. Amid increasing calls for visible results in research and education, some observers are stressing the importance of the sustainability and stability of the university system itself, particularly its educational role. With regard to research too, the importance of competitive funding has been increasing but the need for stable allocation of basic research expenses in line with education has been pointed out as well. This macro-level discussion is also reflected at the micro level. From methods of appointing university presidents to the work of faculty and staff, various aspects of national university management and administration cannot be considered separately from the institutional framework. The approaches adopted by national universities also influence those of public universities and private universities.
In such a situation, rather than rushing to conclusions, we should prepare the way for an evidence-based policy discussion. Since citizens have a deep interest in education, we should leave this discussion to the public in accordance with the principles of democracy. However, regardless of what policies are adopted as a result, the policy system must be consistent as a whole and policy choice must be transparent and based on rational arguments. This symposium, viewing the Japanese economy as on the verge of an important transition to a knowledge-based economy, aims to discuss thoroughly what kind of university is required in this context and to present examples of evidence-based policymaking.
Information
- Time and Date: 10:00-18:05; Friday, May 30, 2008
- Venue: U Thant International Conference Hall, United Nations University
53-70, Jingumae 5-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo - Japanese/English (with simultaneous interpretation)
- Charge: Free
- Host: Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)
- Contact: RIETI, (Ms.) Tomoko KASE
Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)
Tel: 03-3501-8398 Fax: 03-3501-8416
* Streaming video footage of and handouts pertaining to the symposium will be available for download from the RIETI website after the event.
* Purpose of Use of Images
Agenda (subject to change)
Symposium Chair: TANIMOTO Toko (Online Editorial Manager, RIETI)
10:00 - 10:05 Opening Remarks
FUJITA Masahisa (President and Chief Research Officer, RIETI / Professor, Konan University / Adjunct Professor, Institute of Economic Research, Kyoto University)
10:05 - 10:35 Keynote Speech "International Competitiveness of Japanese Universities"
YAKUSHIJI Taizo (Executive Member, Council for Science and Technology Policy, Cabinet Office)
10:35 - 12:05 Session 1 "The Role and Future Issues of National Universities"
Session Chair: TANAKA Hideaki (Associate Professor, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University)
10:35 - 11:05 Overview
TAMAI Katsuya (Faculty Fellow, RIETI / Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo)
11:05 - 11:35 Presentation "The Role and Future Issues of National Universities"
SHIMA Kazunori (Associate Professor, Research Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima University)
11:35 - 11:50 Discussant:
HATAKENAKA Sachi (Independent Consultant / Researcher)
11:50 - 12:05 Q&A
12:05 - 13:00 Lunch Break
13:00 - 14:45 Session 2 "Structure Analysis and Reform of Operating Grants"
Session Chair: SHIMA Kazunori (Associate Professor, Research Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima University)
13:00 - 13:30 Presentation "Analysis of the financial system of National University-Approach from Structure of University Operating Grants"
AKAI Nobuo (Faculty Fellow, RIETI / Associate Professor, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University)
13:30 - 14:00 Presentation "University Operating Grant Reform: Japan's Issues, Overseas Case Studies"
TANAKA Hideaki (Associate Professor, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University)
14:00 - 14:30 Presentation "Lessons from Management and Finance Reforms in the UK"
Quentin THOMPSON (Education Consultant)
14:30 - 14:45 Q&A
14:45 - 15:00 Coffee Break
15:00 - 16:15 Session 3 "Current Situation and Issues in University Governance"
Session Chair: AKAI Nobuo (Faculty Fellow, RIETI / Associate Professor, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University)
15:00 - 15:30 Presentation "American Universities in the Face of New Economic Realities: Financing Higher Education while Stimulating Economic Growth"
Michael K. YOUNG (President, the University of Utah)
15:30 - 16:00 Discussant:
HATA Takashi (Professor, Center for the Advancement of Higher Education, Tohoku University)
16:00 - 16:15 Q&A
16:15 - 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 - 18:00 Panel Discussion "Universities of the Future from Social and Economic Perspectives"
Session Chair: TAMAI Katsuya (Faculty Fellow, RIETI / Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo)
Panelists (in alphabetical order)
FUJISHIRO Makoto (Budget Examiner - Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology, Budget Bureau, Ministry of Finance)
HATA Takashi (Professor, Center for the Advancement of Higher Education, Tohoku University)
NAGAYAMA Yoshihisa (Director, National University Corporation Support Division, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
YAKUSHIJI Taizo (Executive Member, Council for Science and Technology Policy, Cabinet Office)
Michael K. YOUNG (President, the University of Utah)
17:30 - 18:00 Q&A
18:00 - 18:05 Closing Remarks
OIKAWA Kozo (Chairman, RIETI)
18:05 - Reception
* Agenda is subject to change.
