21St Century COE Program, University of the Ryukyus

International Summer Program

The 21st Century COE Program, University of the Ryukyus, provides an international summer program to approximately ten international students for 1.5—2 months every year. Studies carried out during the program focus on the biodiversity of the coral reef and island ecosystem. Prominent researchers are invited to provide lectures on diverse approaches to biodiversity. The students can gain research experience through experiments and/or field investigations in cooperation with the lecturers.

Focus of the Summer Program in 2006:

We will provide two courses in this year. Students must choose one of them before coming to Japan. The aim of the summer program in this year is to promote better understandings of terrestrial biodiversity in the humid subtropics through collecting and analyzing data, and organizing discussions accordingly. The results deriving from these practices will finally be synthesized into a few papers that are to be published in peer-reviewed scientific periodicals.

1.  SPECIES DIVERSITY, SPATIAL STRUCTURE, AND ECOLOGICAL PROPERTY OF THE HUMID SUBTROPICAL FOREST

This course is aimed to attain comprehensive understandings of taxonomic composition,

spatial pattern, and ecological function of the so-called evergreen broadleaf forest, a

climax or nearly climax vegetation typical of the Ryukyus and adjacent regions. A series

of fieldworks will be carried out in the hilly part of Ishigakijima, southern Ryukyus.

Primary lecturers

Prof. Akio Hagihara, Prof. Masatsugu Yokota, and Dr. Tetsurou Denda

Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Sciences, University of the Ryukyus

2.  IMPACT OF EXOTIC VERTEBRATES ON THE NATIVE BIODIVERSITY ON A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND

This course is aimed to develop our better understandings on the form and extent of influences of artificially introduced terrestrial vertebrates on indigenous insular biota. A series of field samplings and laboratory observations will be carried out on Ishigakijima, southern Ryukyus.

Primary lecturers

Prof. Hidetoshi Ota

Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus

Prof. Masako Izawa, Dr. Kazunori Tachihara, and Dr. Hideyuki Imai

Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Sciences, University of the Ryukyus

Eligibility

Persons with academic achievements equivalent to Ph. D. course students or above (preferably Ph.D. students)

Duration:

June 27 to August 20, 2006

Places:

Nishihara Campus of the University of the Ryukyus on Okinawajima (lectures), and Ishigaki City on Ishigakijima (fieldworks)

Fees, accommodation and transportation:

The 21st Century COE program will provide the followings:

-Round trip airfare from your country to Okinawa (up to 100,000 JPY)

-Accommodation (University Dormitory, etc.)

-Transportation between the Naha Airport and the University Campus, and between islands within the Ryukyus

Insurance and visa:

Medical insurance coverage is required before coming to Japan. Students from some countries may need visa. Check the home page of the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html), or ask the person in charge of this program (Prof. Masako Izawa: ).

Program schedule:

-1st week: orientation of the program and a series of lectures on biodiversity of the Ryukyus at the Nishihara Campus, University of the Ryukyus.

-From 2nd to 5th weeks+: fieldworks, laboratory works, data analyses, and occasional seminars on Ishigakijima.

-Last one week: preparation of preliminary reports, oral presentation of results from each course with discussion by all program participants, and revision of the reports into final shape.

Note: several short-term events, such as excursions to other islands, will be scattered in the above basic schedule.

Student duties:

1.  Before coming to Japan, discuss research interests with the person in charge of the course (Prof. Masako Izawa: ).

2.  During the program, research projects will be conducted under the direct supervision of the primary lecturers listed above with assistances by teaching assistants, etc.

3.  All participants of the program will be required to attend to oral presentations of results from both courses that are scheduled near the end of the program (see above).

4.  All participants of the program will be required to attend to preparations of preliminary and final research reports.

Application and Deadline

Fill in the application form below and e-mail or fax it to Dr. Izawa before May 20, 2006.

All inquires should be addressed to:

Prof. Masako Izawa, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan

e-mail:

Tel: +81-98-895-8541

Fax: +81-98-895-8576

URL: http://www.sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/coe/eng/index.html

International Summer Program in Okinawa, JAPAN
June 27 to August 10, 2006

A completed application consists of the following items:

·  Application Form. Please complete the application packet which includes

Application form

Statement of interest

·  Faculty Recommendations. Two letters of recommendation, at least one from your research advisor, are required. You should fill out the top part of first page of the Faculty Reference Form and have your faculty respondents send their recommendation letters directly to the program so as to reach us by May 20, 2006.

·  Transcripts. A copy of your transcript showing courses and grades


International Summer Program in Okinawa, JAPAN
June 27 to August 10, 2006

APPLICATION FORM

Name: ______

Date of Birth: ______Place of Birth: ______

College or University:______

Expected date of graduation:______

Citizenship: ______

Current Address:______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

Current Phone Number:______E-mail:______

Permanent Address:______

City ______State ______Zip Code ______

Permanent Phone Number:______


Names and titles of two people who are supplying letters of references:

(1) ______

(2) ______

Signature ______

Date ______


International Summer Program in Okinawa, JAPAN
June 27 to August 10, 2006

STATEMENT OF INTEREST

Please describe your interest in the biodiversity of coral reefs and island ecosystems and indicate why you would like to participate in our program. Indicate how this program might assist you in your graduate education and research. Please limit your statement to one page.

Name:


University of the Ryukyus

INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAM IN OKINAWA, JAPAN

June 27 - August 10, 2006

FACULTY REFERENCE FORM

Name of Student

I waive my right of access to this recommendation letter: yes no

Student’s signature ______

This student is applying to enter an international summer program in Okinawa, Japan to study biodiversity of coral reefs and island ecosystems. Please indicate in what capacity you have worked with the student, and compare him/her to other students who are in the graduate school in his/her field of study. Give us your candid opinion of his/her potential for success in graduate school and indicate how our program might benefit him/her.

Please use your own stationery or the reverse side of this form.

FORM TO BE COMPLETED BY FACULTY RESPONDENT:

Name of Respondent (Please Print) ______

Title

Institution

Address______

Phone Number

E-mail address ______

Respondent’s signature

Date ______

Please return your assessment so as to reach us by May 20, 2006 to:

International Summer Program in Okinawa

Dr. Masako Izawa

e-mail:

Tel: +81-98-895-8541

Fax: +81-98-895-8576

Program web site: http://www.sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/coe/index.html