Global Expert Training Program (GLEP)
Global Expert Training Program (GLEP)
*Although the grant period has ended, this initiative continues as an internal project of Aoyama Gakuin University.
Program Overview
Human resources to be trained
The Global Experts (hereafter referred to as GEs) that GLEP trains are global leaders with policy-making capabilities who contribute to the peace and security of the international community and play a role in promoting sustainable development, and are one of the most needed human resources in today's increasingly complex international society. In particular, international civil servants, as international public policy makers, are expected to have an interdisciplinary and international perspective, advanced specialized knowledge, analytical and negotiating skills, and the ability to present and implement solutions to global issues such as the environment, human rights, peace, population, development, finance, and culture.
Basic Concept
The common philosophy of the three majors of International Politics, International Economics, and International Communication that make up this graduate school is to "understand international issues theoretically, analyze them empirically, and acquire problem-solving skills." This educational program places the basic discipline of interdisciplinary research in the three majors, cultivates theoretical analytical skills, and establishes a practical interdisciplinary program that is particularly specialized in training professional staff of international organizations, with the aim of training human resources with the ability to make policy proposals with theoretical justification. The significance of this practical program is to make students aware of the need for theoretical analytical skills, and by repeatedly providing feedback between theory and practice, to train excellent human resources with a balanced sense of both advanced theoretical analytical skills and practical sensibilities. In addition, by clarifying the ideal type of human resources, this program aims to sublimate the educational and research resources that have been cultivated so far and to systematically reform graduate school education.
Program Features
The basis is people. The problem is how to gather students with a clear mission and equip them with the above-mentioned capabilities while maintaining high motivation. In order to solve this problem, we will proceed with the development of the education and research system shown below. In addition, those who complete the program will be required to take the exam for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' JPO (Junior Professional Officer) system.
- 01. We will build a practical curriculum by increasing the number of training subjects and subjects taught by practitioners with experience in international organizations and policy-making. For the former training subjects, internship participation at UN organizations (UN Headquarters, UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNEP, ILO, UNESCO, etc.) and participation in activities of the United Nations Volunteer Programme (UNV), JICA, ODA implementing agencies, domestic and international NGOs, etc. will be mandatory. In addition, when the research theme is global issues, the perspective of people with practical experience is indispensable, so we will enhance the number of subjects taught by practitioners.
- 02. To attract talented students, we will link the graduate school and undergraduate programs. For undergraduate students who wish to participate in this program in the future, we will require them to take up to 10 graduate school courses in their fourth year under the special graduate school course system, and to use the "4+1" system, which allows them to complete graduate school in one year, in order to foster the necessary attitude for GE from the undergraduate level. We will provide financial support to students, just as we do for graduate students. We will also expand the functions of the "Diplomacy and International Public Affairs Guidance Office" attached to the undergraduate program to include graduate students, expanding the organization so that students can build their own learning system. Creating a system in which graduate students supervise undergraduate students is extremely effective in maintaining students' mutual motivation to learn. On the other hand, many working students have work experience and are fluent in languages. Since they are expected to obtain a master's degree and can apply for the JPO, we will provide specific guidance on how to prepare for the exam.
- 03. We will provide scholarships, research grants, and scholarships to students who select this program. We plan to provide tuition loans to students with excellent grades, and to exempt students who are accepted into the JPO program or who find employment at an international organization from having to repay the loans.
- 04. Establishment of a course to support writing skills. Since international organizations are document-based, it is essential to be able to write clear, concise, and persuasive English documents. To achieve this, native English speakers will provide correction guidance.
- 05.Through project management courses, students will develop competency, communication skills, presentation skills, and crisis management skills.
- 06. We will cooperate with external organizations to improve students' knowledge and build personal networks.
- 07. Actively accept international students and foster an international perspective among graduate students.
- 08. We will verify the program through questionnaire surveys and make continuous improvements, and hold research meetings and symposiums with related organizations to deepen teachers' understanding of the program. In addition to obtaining a master's degree, the employment requirements for international civil servants require a certain period of practical experience related to the job they wish to work in, so we will focus on the shortest possible master's degree program to ensure practical experience through internships.