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Creating a Diverse Research Environment in which a Variety of Values Coexist

I am pleased to announce that Hiroshima University, working in conjunction with partners Mazda Motor Corporation, Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd., and the International Development Center of Japan, has been chosen to implement the Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment (Collaboration Type) as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Program’s FY2017 Science and Technology Human Resources Development Subsidy Program. Under this program, universities, manufacturers, and think tanks focused on international cooperation are leveraging their respective strengths as they work together to promote the activities of women researchers in a way that involves as many organizations as possible. To implement the program’s specific activities, we have formed the following four task forces, which are taking advantage of the Member Organizations’ experience and track records as they pursue their missions:

1. Institutional Enhancement by Improved Existing Approaches
2. Capacity Development in Women Researchers’ Research Activities
3. Positive Action in Recruitment and Promotion of Women Researchers
4. Model Development

Hiroshima University has a history of promoting the activities of women researchers, and this fact has been reflected in our selection to implement a number of programs in this area, including: “Supporting Women Researchers: A Hiroshima University Approach to Fostering Leadership” (FY2007 to FY2009), which sought to build a model for supporting women researchers; “Promoting the Activities of women researchers through system reforms at Hiroshima University” (FY2010 to FY2014), which accelerated system reforms designed to foster the development of women researchers; and the Program to Support Research Activities of Women Researchers (Facility Type) (FY2013 to FY2015). While taking advantage of these support programs, we have not only pushed forward system reforms at our university, but also communicated the philosophy that underlies them to other institutions and entities, including governmental entities and private-sector companies. Our goal through this program is to make a significant contribution by helping involved organizations work together to further globalize their operations whilst remaining grounded in local communities by drawing on our experience and track record to strengthen research skills and collaboration between industry and academia whilst also fostering an international perspective.

We plan to implement the program for six years, from FY2017 to FY2022. We will update this website with notices of activities and reports on how we’re implementing associated measures. Please take advantage of it as we will be planning and carrying out a variety of activities, including initiatives targeting women researchers, initiatives to foster the development of future women researchers, initiatives to raise awareness, and efforts to assess the current situation. We welcome any views and requests you may have.

March 2018