Nagoya University Program for Leading Graduate Schools: Graduate program for real-world data circulation leaders

e-Agora: an e-Portfolio System Linked with Social Networking Services

e-Agora enables an open study environment to provide multi-faceted support to students' activities

To support student activities and facilitate progress, our program implements e-Agora, which is an e-portfolio system that saves and organizes each student's studies as blogs and documents. A student can review and share what he or she has learned with other students, faculty members, and colleagues in the network.

Features of e-Agora
- Students can save and organize their studies [remarks, discussions (described later), seminar reports, and papers]. These items can be reviewed at any time.
- Students can share their portfolio with other people, including faculty members and other students. Part of the portfolio can be shared publicly (with due consideration of privacy), allowing students to obtain feedback from various points of view.
- Students can communicate with other students and faculty members on SNS. Discussions can also be evaluated, enabling a wide range of student abilities to be incorporated into the program evaluation, including their perspective, ideas, attitudes, and thought processes.
- The portfolio can be shared with our industry partners and can be leveraged to build students' careers, including recruitment.
01 Acquiring Real-World Data:

You will choose a major and a minor from three areas (Mechanical Systems, Social Systems, and Human Systems), and learn about theories and methods of acquiring and digitizing data in your selected areas.

02 Analyzing Real-World Data:

You will learn how to use a broad range of tools and methods to analyze real-world data.

RWDC Special Lab Course on "Data Tools Hands-On"

» Course Introduction：Data Tools First

» Course Introduction：Data Tools Next

03 Utilizing Real-World Data:

You will learn how to utilize analysis results through case studies of real-world data circulation. In the later years of your studies, you will experience actual cases provided by contributory members from industry or other sectors outside of the university.

04 Working in the Real World

In addition to gaining experience in industry by participating in internships or industry-academia-government collaboration projects, you will obtain international experience through summer school programs or international collaborative research.
- Innovation Circulation to build industrial experience
- Global Circulation to build international experience
For more information:
Program Structure

Five-year graduate program on data circulation to produce a Ph.D. level of knowledge, leadership, and research skills

The curriculum consists of the following components:
- Coursework
- Real-world work (innovation circulation and global circulation)
- Research
To produce global leaders in data circulation, which involves incorporating the desires of users into new products, services, and social values, the curriculum encompasses both fundamental knowledge of real-world data circulation and hands-on training in a broad range of fields in Japan and overseas. Research guidance is also provided so that students complete the requirements to obtain a Ph.D.

» Enlarge

＊Coursework covers fundamental knowledge in real-world data circulation. The cycle of data acquisition, data analysis, and data implementation is repeated over three years to gain a broad understanding in the fields covered by real-world data circulation, including engineering, social sciences, and humanities.

Curriculum 1

Fundamentals and applications of real-world data circulation

Coursework: Courses required to acquire fundamental knowledge in real-world data circulation

Introduction to Data Tools	This is an introductory course on data processing, which is offered prior to program commencement to guarantee that new students have a minimum level of knowledge on this subject.
Real-world Data Acquisition Courses	Engineering: Image Signal Processing	Human System Engineering, Biomechanics
	Social Sciences: Advanced Econometrics	Microeconomics, Social System Informatics, Social System Design
	Humanities: Molecular Neuroscience	Medical Informatics, Human Information Processing, Human-assisted Media Processing
Selected Topics in Real-world Data Analysis	Database, Signal Processing, Machine Learning, Pattern Processing, Causal Inference, Omics Analysis, Text Processing
Selected Topics in Real-world Data Circulation Systems I	Smart Grids, Genomic Medicine, Intelligent Robotics, Regional Medical Information Systems, Market Design
Selected Topics in Real-world Data Circulation Systems II	Case Studies from Our Industry Partners
Fundamental Courses in a Specialty Area	Dynamic Systems, Selected Topics in Media Science, Econometrics, Biochemistry, Physiology, Morphology
Leadership Seminars	The program includes lectures and seminars on the practical skills required to become business leaders and managers. These are offered in conjunction with external lecturers, other leading graduate school programs, and the Business Capacity Development Center of Nagoya University.

Real-world Work: Innovation Circulation

This program lets students experience circulation between development research and fundamental research while working on their thesis. Students will engage in project-oriented group work and internships in conjunction with our industry partners.

Industry-Academia-Government Project Work	Our industry-academia-government coordinators build projects lasting about six months, aligning our Master's seminar projects with industry needs. Each student participates in a project with the objective of making a research proposal from the university to a corporation. This project work is conducted in partnership with the innovation stream initiatives of Nagoya University.
Research Internship	Students participate in joint research internships provided by the Graduate School of Engineering, the Graduate School of Information Science, or our industry partners.

» More

Curriculum 2

Real-world Work: Global Circulation

Students will experience global circulation of industry and international cooperation through international experiences, which have a preset duration.

Global Challenge I	Students will support summer schools under the Nagoya University Summer Intensive Program (NUSIP) at major overseas production centers of Japanese corporations. Location: Hanoi or Istanbul (to be confirmed) Duration: About two weeks (during the first semester of the M2 year)
Global Challenge II	Students will engage in visiting research at research institutes overseas. Location: Either Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Queensland University, University of Southern Denmark, Istanbul Technical University, or Hanoi University of Science and Technology Duration: About three months (during D1 to D2)
Follow-up Visit	Students will re-visit the research institute as a group with students from different disciplines. Duration: One to two weeks (during D2 to D3)

Theses work: Master's thesis, Ph.D. thesis planning, and Ph.D. thesis

To encourage independent research that encompasses multiple disciplines, students will choose their own supervisor for their intermediate and Ph.D. thesis projects. If desired, they can also choose an external supervisor.

Master's thesis work	Under the supervision of a faculty member in the appropriate specialty at the time of program enrollment, students will conduct Master's thesis work on a topic of their own choice within "acquisition, analysis, and implementation of real-world data circulation."
Ph.D. thesis planning (intermediate supervision)	Under the guidance of an intermediate thesis supervisor, students will prepare a Ph.D. thesis plan and present a research plan during the D1 year. The research plan should aim to resolve a specific issue based on the circulation of real-world data.
Ph.D. thesis work	With the approval of a Ph.D. supervisor, students will conduct and write a Ph.D. thesis based on their research plan. An internal Ph.D. supervisor should be accompanied by an external sub-supervisor.

Qualifying Exam

Guaranteed steady progress

Two qualifying examinations (QEs) are required as intermediate assessments. The purpose of the examinations is to motivate students to study and to ensure a certain level of ability.

QE1:Master's thesis is evaluated independent of the requirements for a Master's degree in each department (Master's thesis). The major criterion is whether the student can properly position his or her research in actual real-world data circulation.

QE2:The plan is evaluated for its tangibility to create value by means of the real-world data circulation, and how the Ph.D. thesis work may contribute to the field. The research plan can be modified as many times as needed until the evaluation is satisfactory.
e-Agora: an e-Portfolio System Linked with Social Networking Services

e-Agora enables an open study environment to provide multi-faceted support to students' activities

To support student activities and facilitate progress, our program implements e-Agora, which is an e-portfolio system that saves and organizes each student's studies as blogs and documents. A student can review and share what he or she has learned with other students, faculty members, and colleagues in the network.

Features of e-Agora
- Students can save and organize their studies [remarks, discussions (described later), seminar reports, and papers]. These items can be reviewed at any time.
- Students can share their portfolio with other people, including faculty members and other students. Part of the portfolio can be shared publicly (with due consideration of privacy), allowing students to obtain feedback from various points of view.
- Students can communicate with other students and faculty members on SNS. Discussions can also be evaluated, enabling a wide range of student abilities to be incorporated into the program evaluation, including their perspective, ideas, attitudes, and thought processes.
- The portfolio can be shared with our industry partners and can be leveraged to build students' careers, including recruitment.
01 Acquiring Real-World Data:

You will choose a major and a minor from three areas (Mechanical Systems, Social Systems, and Human Systems), and learn about theories and methods of acquiring and digitizing data in your selected areas.

02 Analyzing Real-World Data:

You will learn how to use a broad range of tools and methods to analyze real-world data.

RWDC Special Lab Course on "Data Tools Hands-On"

» Course Introduction：Data Tools First

» Course Introduction：Data Tools Next

03 Utilizing Real-World Data:

You will learn how to utilize analysis results through case studies of real-world data circulation. In the later years of your studies, you will experience actual cases provided by contributory members from industry or other sectors outside of the university.

04 Working in the Real World

In addition to gaining experience in industry by participating in internships or industry-academia-government collaboration projects, you will obtain international experience through summer school programs or international collaborative research.
- Innovation Circulation to build industrial experience
- Global Circulation to build international experience
For more information:

Successful candidates will have passed the entrance exam for the first half of a doctoral course at the university. The selection process is based on the total scores of performance in the selection program, a document review, an interview, and a written exam.

01: Graduates from Nagoya University or other universities

For example, those who want to become data scientists and acquire technical knowledge and experiences that would enable them to make a difference in the world.

02: Students with work experience

For example, those who aspire to give back to society through research by applying their work experience and acquiring relevant technical knowledge. (An intensive version of the program is available for students with work experience.)

03: International students

For example, those who want to learn about the automotive field, which is one of the greatest strengths of Nagoya University, and those who want to know about real-world data circulation through this highly unique program. (Students may enter in the fall semester.)

This program provides a place for students to explore their potential and discover diverse possibilities. We welcome passionate students who are eager to learn, ready to experience a wide range of fields, and are capable of creating new values.

For more information:

Admission Requirements

Students will experience the circulation between development and basic research through activities in an industrial workplace and acquire practical knowledge and skills that cannot be taught in the classroom.

1) Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Projects (work as part of a team to solve issues)
Students will join a team in which every member is assigned a specific role to work on an industry-academia-government collaborative research project. Projects last about six months and are determined by the university.

2) Research Internships (experience being part of a corporate organization)
Students will conduct research in industry and experience corporate management.

Collaborating Companies (expected)

Toyota Central R&D Labs.	IBM Japan
DENSO	Netyear Group
MHI Aerospace Systems	Microsoft Research Asia
Astellas Pharma	Rakuten Institute of Technology
NTT Communication Science Research Laboratories	Canon Information Technology (Beijing)

Students will enroll in a summer school program at an Asian company outside of Japan, and will conduct research at an overseas research institute to learn first-hand about global industrial circulations and experience cross-cultural collaborations.

1) Global Challenge Ｉ
Collaborate with people from different cultures

Students will participate in a two-week (approx.) summer program with local students and young engineers in Hanoi or Istanbul, which are both major manufacturing cities, and gain first-hand experience about the international division of labor in global industries.

2) Global Challenge II
Experience world-class research

Students will stay in a foreign country for about three months to conduct research at an overseas research institute. They will develop an understanding of international competition among world-class researchers, and forge ties with some of the brightest young researchers in the world.

3) Follow-up Visit
Build international ties

Students will revisit the research institute in which they worked for one to two weeks with a group of students with other areas of expertise. In addition to learning about cutting-edge research in different fields, students will expand their personal professional networks.

Students will also be able to take advantage of the following as they participate in international activities:

Global learning environment
→Lectures and instructions are given in English. Video conferencing systems are in place so that students can casually exchange information with students in other countries.
International academic network
→The university has exchange agreements with numerous academic institutions around the world (27 in the United States, 36 in Europe, and 61 in Asia), and is part of the Academic Consortium for the 21st Century.
Outstanding international students
→Students who are about the same age but with different backgrounds can intermingle with one another on a daily basis.

Leaders' saloon - Where new ideas flourish

A cutting-edge space where people can gather and exchange opinions to create innovative ideas and products

The leaders' saloon seamlessly integrates a lab style space and a cafe style space. It is designed so that multiple individuals can easily work together. The leaders' saloon allows Program participants from different graduate schools and research groups to gather spontaneously, engage in discussions and presentations using cutting-edge IT technology, and refine communication skills.

Discussion tables

A tablet computer screen can be projected over a table that can be operated as a touch panel. The design of the facility makes it easy for multiple individuals to work together and encourages active communications.

Digital poster panels

Digital posters are posted on partition glass panes, and they can be intuitively operated as touch panels. This panel can also record presentations.
Special introductory courses on the purpose and
basic operations of various data processing tools
「Data Tools First」

»Details on Data Tools First

Learn about data processing tools

Real-world data circulation is an academic field that investigates the acquisition, analysis, and implementation of data in the real world. It is essential for students in this field to master data processing tools, which can be used across multiple fields such as engineering, information science, medicine, and economics.
We have prepared a unique curriculum that aims to standardize the fundamental skill sets required for real-world data circulation through practical lab work.

Introductory courses

Students experience a whole set of tools required for real-world data circulation and gain an appreciation of what kind of data and how each tool can manipulate it.

Applied courses

By manipulating the tools discussed in the introductory courses to develop a real-world data circulation system, students gain a deeper appreciation of what they can achieve with these data processing tools.
SNSと連動した
eポートフォリオシステム「eアゴラ」

「eアゴラ」が実現する「開かれた学修」が、履修生の活動を多角的にサポート

eポートフォリオとは、学習の記録をブログやドキュメントの形で保存・整理し、自身の学習を随時振り返るとともに、他の履修生や教師、そしてネットワーク内の仲間とシェアするためのシステムです。

本プログラムでは、履修生のみなさんの学びをサポートし、常にみなさんが向上していけるよう、独自のeポートフォリオシステム「eアゴラ」を導入しています。

eアゴラの特徴
- 自身の学修記録（科目成績、eアゴラ上での議論(後述)、実習レポート、発表論文）を保存・整理し、好きな時に振り返り・活用ができる。
- プログラム担当者や学生など様々な関係者と自身のポートフォリオに関し共有できる。プライバシー考慮の上で、一部は一般にも公開される。これにより、自身の学修に対して、様々な観点からフィードバックを得ることができる。
- SNS上で、他の参加者や担当教員と議論ができる。議論の記録も学修評価の対象となるので、視野、アイディア、態度、思考過程など多角的な能力がプログラム評価につながる。
- 企業からのプログラム担当者にポートフォリオの記録を公開し、就職活動を始めとするキャリア形成支援に役立てることができる。
Leaders' saloon - Where new ideas flourish

A cutting-edge space where people can gather and exchange opinions to create innovative ideas and products

The leaders' saloon seamlessly integrates a lab style space and a cafe style space. It is designed so that multiple individuals can easily work together. The leaders' saloon allows Program participants from different graduate schools and research groups to gather spontaneously, engage in discussions and presentations using cutting-edge IT technology, and refine communication skills.

Discussion tables

A tablet computer screen can be projected over a table that can be operated as a touch panel. The design of the facility makes it easy for multiple individuals to work together and encourages active communications.

Digital poster panels

Digital posters are posted on partition glass panes, and they can be intuitively operated as touch panels. This panel can also record presentations.
Special introductory courses on the purpose and
basic operations of various data processing tools
「Data Tools First」

»Details on Data Tools First

Learn about data processing tools

Real-world data circulation is an academic field that investigates the acquisition, analysis, and implementation of data in the real world. It is essential for students in this field to master data processing tools, which can be used across multiple fields such as engineering, information science, medicine, and economics.
We have prepared a unique curriculum that aims to standardize the fundamental skill sets required for real-world data circulation through practical lab work.

Introductory courses

Students experience a whole set of tools required for real-world data circulation and gain an appreciation of what kind of data and how each tool can manipulate it.

Applied courses

By manipulating the tools discussed in the introductory courses to develop a real-world data circulation system, students gain a deeper appreciation of what they can achieve with these data processing tools.

私は名古屋大学に2013年4月に着任しました。
学部学生さんの２倍以上の年齢ですが、新しい環境での研究と教育の生活を楽しんでいます。
本プログラムでは、海外での活動を含めてカリキュラム全般で皆さんのお手伝いをします。

何事においても成功の秘訣は、夢をもつこと、楽観的なこと、粘り強いこと、そして追い風に乗ることです。
実世界データ循環学という大きな追い風に乗って新しい体験をし、人生をとことん楽しんで下さい。
では、4月にリーダーズホームルームでお会いしましょう！

関浩之
大学院情報科学研究科　情報システム学専攻　教授
Interview

What are your aspirations? We welcome people with goals, the perseverance to overcome difficulties and the desire to be leaders.

We offer an excellent environment and diverse opportunities, and it is up to each student to take advantage of all this graduate-level program offers. We seek students who are not satisfied with what they are given, but pursue their own activities.

This program is designed to not only benefit individual students, but society as well. Highly motivated students grow rapidly in a superb environment, and eventually change the world. I want all students in this program to realize their social responsibility and fully commit to achieving their own goals.

Ichiro Yamamoto
Program Leader, Trustee (Education and Information) and Vice-President, Nagoya University
Interview

Making mistakes and experiencing failures means that one has attempted to overcome challenges. I want our students to know that it is okay to make mistakes. As one ventures into unknown territory, it is natural to experience failure on occasion. Fortunately, there are many more possibilities for success than for failure, and all of these experiences allow people to grow.

For this reason, I want students to tackle challenges without fear of failure, to discover new possibilities, and to grow as leaders. This program allows students to make mistakes as they realize their potential.

Kazuya Takeda, Program Coordinator
Professor, Department of Intelligent Systems,
Graduate School of Informatics

Research group website
近年の医学・医療研究において、患者・組織・細胞から得られる情報量の爆発が起きています。
情報の取得方法の劇的な進展に比して、得られた情報の中から意味のある情報を抽出し、個別の医療ならびに医学の発展に還元をする手法が現在開発途上です。
ビッグデータから意味のある情報を抽出するためには情報科学研究手法に加えて医学・医療の知識基盤が必要です。

このプログラムを通して、情報科学研究手法に興味がある学生、情報科学研究手法を修得してきた学生が、最先端の医学・医療の研究手法・研究成果を修得し、医学・医療におけるビッグデータ解析のリーダーになることを願っております。

大野欽司
大学院医学系研究科　基礎医学領域　神経遺伝情報学　教授

研究室のWEBへ
Nowadays, new ideas take concrete shapes quickly. Real-World Data Circulation is the academic field that involves methodologies and skills necessary to turn ideas into reality. To help your ideas take a concrete shape, as part of this program, you can access to exclusive cutting-edge facilities and equipment, including 3D printers. In addition to providing an atmosphere where ideas flow freely, this unique environment will help you improve your presentation and communication skills.

I am looking forward to your participation.

Katashi Nagao
Professor, Department of Intelligent Systems,
Graduate School of Informatics

Research group website
Do you have ambitions to work with people speaking different languages or in a different country? In today's world, the torrent of globalism is rushing around us. Why wait to realize your dreams? Now is the perfect time to begin your worldly adventure. As the staff member in charge of the global education in this program, I am here to support your "personal globalization".

Ichiro Ide
Associate Professor, Department of Intelligent Systems,
Graduate School of Informatics

Research group website
We are in the midst of globalization. This attractive program aims to produce global leaders capable of accessing needs from an international perspective, providing valuable products and services, and creating new social values. I think that students are very lucky to have the opportunity to participate in such an advanced program.

Although the number of Japanese students studying abroad is decreasing, the diverse international experiences, which are the core of this program, will help students grow into global leaders.

Toshiaki Fujii
Professor, Department of Information and Communication,
Graduate School of Engineering

Research group website
近年の情報化、データ化の波は、私たちの生活の様々なところに想像を上回るペースで押し寄せています。
最近では、ビックデータと呼ばれる大規模なデータの獲得も様々な分野でよく耳にします。

社会にあふれる不確実な現象の背後には一体何があるのでしょうか？
適切にデータを収集し、解析することで、これに迫る学問領域はデータサイエンスなどと呼ばれますが、今後、その専門家は社会の様々な分野で必要となることは確実です。
あなたもデータサイエンティストになってみませんか？

松井茂之
大学院医学系研究科　臨床医薬学講座　生物統計学分野

研究室のWEBへ
これからの産業のカギは各部門に埋没している膨大なデータの有効活用にあると言っても過言ではありません。
市場データ、設計データ、製造データ、顧客データ等、各部門には様々なデータが日々蓄積されています。
部門間の壁を超えてこれらのデータに内在する本質的価値を見出し、そこから得られる普遍的価値のもとで組織全体をグローバルにコントロールできる強いリーダーが求められています。
本プログラムで体得するデータ解析と活用のための最先端知識を駆使して、本プログラム修了生が組織全体の最適戦略を描けるグローバルリーダーになることを願っています。

鈴木達也
工学研究科　機械理工学専攻　教授

研究室のWEBへ
私は名古屋大学に2013年4月に着任しました。
学部学生さんの２倍以上の年齢ですが、新しい環境での研究と教育の生活を楽しんでいます。
本プログラムでは、海外での活動を含めてカリキュラム全般で皆さんのお手伝いをします。

何事においても成功の秘訣は、夢をもつこと、楽観的なこと、粘り強いこと、そして追い風に乗ることです。
実世界データ循環学という大きな追い風に乗って新しい体験をし、人生をとことん楽しんで下さい。
では、4月にリーダーズホームルームでお会いしましょう！

関浩之
大学院情報科学研究科　情報システム学専攻　教授
Interview

What are your aspirations? We welcome people with goals, the perseverance to overcome difficulties and the desire to be leaders.

We offer an excellent environment and diverse opportunities, and it is up to each student to take advantage of all this graduate-level program offers. We seek students who are not satisfied with what they are given, but pursue their own activities.

This program is designed to not only benefit individual students, but society as well. Highly motivated students grow rapidly in a superb environment, and eventually change the world. I want all students in this program to realize their social responsibility and fully commit to achieving their own goals.

Ichiro Yamamoto
Program Leader, Trustee (Education and Information) and Vice-President, Nagoya University

e-Agora: an e-Portfolio System Linked with Social Networking Services

Features of e-Agora

Program Structure

Curriculum 1

Coursework: Courses required to acquire fundamental knowledge in real-world data circulation

Real-world Work: Innovation Circulation

Curriculum 2

Real-world Work: Global Circulation

Theses work: Master's thesis, Ph.D. thesis planning, and Ph.D. thesis

Qualifying Exam

e-Agora: an e-Portfolio System Linked with Social Networking Services

Features of e-Agora

Leaders' saloon - Where new ideas flourish

A cutting-edge space where people can gather and exchange opinions to create innovative ideas and products

Discussion tables

Digital poster panels

Special introductory courses on the purpose and basic operations of various data processing tools 「Data Tools First」

Learn about data processing tools

Introductory courses

Applied courses

SNSと連動したeポートフォリオシステム「eアゴラ」

「eアゴラ」が実現する「開かれた学修」が、履修生の活動を多角的にサポート

eアゴラの特徴