Hitoshi Osaki

Director General of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Developments of Japan's University Reform

• University Reform based on the University Council's Recommendations 1987–1996
• Enactment of the Science and Technology Basic Law 1995
  Embodied in the Science and Technology Basic Plan (1996–2000) 1996
• Monbusho's Inquiries to the University Council and the Science Council 1998, 1998
  - vision for the university in the 21st century and measures for realising it
  - Comprehensive promotion of research toward building a creative S&T-based nation
• Enactment of the Governmental Organization Reform Law (under deliberation in the Diet)

University Reform Based on the University Council's Recommendations

• Relaxing regulations on undergraduate curriculum in order to promote the integration of general and specialised education
• Expanding and reinforcing postgraduate schools (courses)
• Developing university interaction with society and industry
• Promoting self-evaluation in universities
• Strengthening the university president's leadership

Main Points of the Science and Technology Basic Plan and Its Implementation

• Fostering young Scientists
  - Expanding and reinforcing graduate schools (courses)
  - A Plan for supporting 10.000 young scientists
• Promoting Exchange and Cooperation across Institutes, Sectors and Countries
  - Enhancing scientists' mobility
  - Constructing Centers of Excellence and organising cooperative projects
• Increasing competitive research funding and strengthening research evaluation
  - Launching new contracted research programs by investing in public corporations
  - Establishing government guidelines for evaluation government-funded R&D
• Improving the R&D infrastructure
• Promoting education in and public understanding of science and technology
• Increasing the government's R&D investment

Main Items of Monbusho's Inquiries to the University Council and Science Council

1. University Council

- Vision for the university in the 21st century and measures for realising it

• Appropiate scale of both undergraduate and postgraduate education
• Reinforcement of postgraduate schools (courses) both in terms of quality and quantity
• Improvement of undergraduate education corresponding to greater massification
• Enhancement of university autonomy

2. Science Council

- Comprehensive promotion of research toward building a creative S&T-based nation

• Vision of research in universities and related institutes
• Concrete measures for the improvement of infrastructures such as systems, personnel, funding and facilities
• Appropriate system for promoting research in priority fields
• Reform of both the organisation and operation of science administration

Government Organisation Reform Related to Science and Technology

1. Establishment of a Comprehensive Science and Technology Council
   - Deliberation of Government's basic S&T policy
   - Evaluation of S&T-related national projects
2. Integration of the Monbusho and the Sscience and Technology Agenca
   - Reinforcement of a comprehensive and strategic S&T policy
3. Reform of national universities organisations and administrations