Science Tokyo Expected to Be 2nd Univ. Eligible for Massive Aid

Tokyo, Dec. 19 (Jiji Press)–The Institute of Science Tokyo is expected to be the second university eligible to receive aid from a Japanese government-financed 10-trillion-yen fund to support universities, according to a report by a government panel released Friday. In the report, the expert panel set up by the education ministry recommended the Institute of Science Tokyo and Kyoto University as candidates for the University for International Research Excellence, to which such aid is granted. The education minister is expected to certify the Institute of Science Tokyo as a University for International Research Excellence by the end of fiscal 2025 through next March, and the institute is likely to be followed by Kyoto University. At present, Tohoku University is the only one with the status. The University of Tokyo, another applicant for the status, will continue to be examined. A judgment on the university is expected to be reached within a year. The ministry expects to provide over 10 billion yen in aid to the Institute of Science Tokyo in the first fiscal year. The institute will implement its plan to enhance its research and other activities from next April. “We’ll steadily advance the formation of world-class research universities through our support and strengthen the research capabilities of our country as a whole,” education minister Yohei Matsumoto told a news conference. The expert panel, which screens applications for the status, praised the Institute of Science Tokyo’s plan for fundamental reforms across research field boundaries, saying that its vision “is shared across the institute.” On Kyoto University, the panel said it is necessary to improve the university’s plan and check its transition to a new research organization system before starting to provide the aid. The panel highly evaluated the University of Tokyo’s reform plan, which includes the establishment of a new department, while showing concerns about its governance system and the feasibility of the reform plan. A series of scandals has occurred at the university, such as bribery. The examination process for the university would be terminated if any other scandal emerges. The panel compiled its report following the second round of screenings, for which eight universities applied. None of the remaining five applicants–the University of Osaka, Waseda University, Kyushu University, the University of Tsukuba and Nagoya University–were recommended. The panel will decide whether or not to conduct the third round after completing its examination of the University of Tokyo. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]