Through utilization of support for short-term domestic training, a total of 53 program participants participated in a corporate seminar held in conjunction with 9 leading companies in 2014. Pilot program participants visited Bridgestone Corporation and Teijin Limited in June, while first term program participants visited JFE Steel, Toshiba, Asahi Glass, Asahi Kasei Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemical, DIC, and Nippon Light Metal in September. The aim of this half-day program was to familiarize students with different research environments and to help them gain a better understanding of the ideal doctoral characteristics sought after by corporations through a series of institute/factory tours, management lectures, research presentations, and discussions with corporate researchers and human resources officers. Corporate representatives gave students their frank opinions and thoughts when asked “what is the difference between a new employee with a doctoral degree and a third-year employee with a master’s degree?” These comments painted a detailed picture of how a graduate with doctoral degree can be expected to contribute actively to a corporation. Discussions with members of corporate management and young researchers on topics such as “essential qualities for becoming a leader” and “the ideal doctor sought by corporations” also helped students define a learning path and research stance in their doctoral curriculum.
2016
03.23