The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, in cooperation with Saga University and University of the Ryukyus, conducts high quality doctoral course education through a professoriate composed of a variety of specialists, aiming at training leaders with a spirit of enterprise as researchers, educators, and technical experts. This graduate school sets the following three policies.
Educational Objectives
- Students acquire highly specialized expertise and advanced technical skills across a wide range of disciplines associated with agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the life sciences, along with the competencies and capabilities needed to address issues and challenges in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector.
- The course aims to cultivate a broad interdisciplinary outlook on agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the life sciences.
- Students develop advanced skills in cutting-edge data analytics and logical reasoning, together with the ability to articulate their ideas and an innate desire to take on challenging problems.
- Students cultivate a global perspective that enables them to make meaningful contributions to society at both the local and international level.
1. Diploma Policy
The Diploma Policy of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University is based on the respective diploma policies of Kagoshima University as a whole, as well as the educational objectives of the United Graduate School itself. A student who has demonstrated the required capabilities by producing a thesis that fulfils the submission requirements and that has been passed by the relevant screening committee, and who has achieved pass grades in their final exams, shall be granted a doctorate in agriculture, fisheries science or general scholarship.
- A doctorate holder occupies a dignified position in society and is expected to demonstrate highly specialized knowledge along with technical expertise, advanced data analysis skills, an interdisciplinary perspective and a flexible approach to logical reasoning, possessing the competencies, drive and autonomy to pro-actively identify and resolve issues and challenges in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector.
- Graduates will have the capabilities, leadership skills and motivation to contribute as researchers, technicians, educators and mentors at all levels of society from local to international.
2. Curriculum Policy
The educational course described below is provided by The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University with the aim of developing the skills and capabilities outlined in the Diploma Policy.
- Systematic course structure from commencement through to graduation
(1) Students acquire highly specialized expertise and advanced technical skills in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the life sciences and, through research instruction associated with the delivery of a doctoral thesis, develop the competencies, drive and autonomy to pro-actively identify and resolve issues and challenges in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector.
(2) The educational content is designed to cultivate a broad interdisciplinary perspective on agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the life sciences.
(3) Students develop advanced skills in cutting-edge data analytics and logical reasoning commensurate with doctoral level studies, along with the ability to articulate their ideas and an innate desire to take on challenging problems.
(4) The course is designed to equip students with a global outlook, a thorough understanding of public expectations of doctoral graduates, and the skills to make meaningful contributions to society at both the local and international level. - Educational methodologies tailored to specific targets and objectives
Educational content is tailored to the targets and objectives of each subject area in accordance with the skills and capabilities set out in the Diploma Policy. - Rigorous assessment process
Clearly articulated educational and learning objectives and associated assessment criteria in each subject area form the basis for the rigorous assessment process.
3. Admissions Policy
- Applicant skills and qualities
We are actively seeking students (including working professionals) from Japan and around the world who have an interest in and understanding of key issues in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the life sciences, particularly in relation to the ongoing utilization of biomass and environmentally sustainable models of agriculture, forestry and fisheries operations, and who demonstrate the skills and drive to acquire a doctorate degree as well as a willingness to address key issues and pursue theoretical studies. - Prior knowledge
Applicants will ideally have completed a master’s degree or equivalent studies providing general knowledge as well as
specialist expertise in agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the life sciences, and will also have a well-rounded international outlook and possess English language proficiency commensurate with doctoral level course content. International students will ideally be able to demonstrate a basic level of proficiency in the Japanese language. - Selection criteria-basic principles
The selection process for general admission applicants involves an oral presentation where the applicant describes their master’s thesis and outlines their intended research topic and research plan, then answers a series of questions. Application documents and external English-language examination results are also taken into account. The selection process for international and mature-age applicants involves an oral presentation where the applicant describes their master’s thesis and outlines their intended research topic and research proposal, then answers a series of questions. Application documents are also taken into account.
