ASEAN University Network / Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network AUN/SEED-Net Implementation Guidelines and Application Form for Short-Term Study Program in Japan (For Doctoral Degree Sandwich Students and Integrated Graduate Students) For the Japanese Fiscal Year 2015 AUN/SEED-Net Project As of September, 2014 AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015
1. Project Background The concept of the SEED-Net evolved at the ASEAN-Japan Summit Meeting held in December 1997 and the central issue became how to upgrade higher engineering education by way of creating engineering institutions networks ASEAN-wide. As a result of a series of discussions and preparations between ASEAN Member Countries and Japan, the ASEAN University Network/Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net) was established in 2001 as a sub-network of ASEAN University Network (AUN). After two years of preparation, full-scale operation started in March 2003 for five years as the Phase 1 cooperation, which was then followed by another five year project as the Phase 2 cooperation, supported by Japanese Government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In the last decade the AUN/SEED-Net has supported young academic staff of Member Institutions to acquire higher degrees (master s degree and/or Ph.D.) by providing them opportunities to study at leading Member Institutions in the region or at supporting universities in Japan. As a result, around 900 academic staffs have already obtained opportunities to study for higher degrees, with most of these having returned to teach students at universities in their respective countries. At the same time, the project has strengthened the research capacity of academic staff in ASEAN Member Countries by supporting collaborative research, academic staff exchange, academic conference, ASEAN Engineering Journal and so on. As a result, around 700 collaborative research projects have been undertaken, and more than 1,000 academic papers have been published. Over 1,300 in total academic staff have also participated in exchange programs between institutions in the network. Through these activities the AUN/SEED-Net has succeeded in strengthening the engineering faculties of each Member Institution. Based on these remarkable achievements, the ASEAN Member Countries, Member Institutions, the Government of Japan and JICA have a strong intention to continue the AUN/SEED-Net aiming to bring about larger impacts not only to other universities in the region and Japan, but also to industry and community by making more direct contribution to the socio-economic development in the region and Japan. After continuous discussion, all parties agreed to implement the Phase 3 Project of AUN/SEED- Net with these following objectives: (1) Contribution to advancement and globalization of regional industry (2) Contribution to solution of regional common issues in Asia (3) Establishment of human resource development platform in science and technology in Asia 2. Program Concept It is essential for AUN/SEED-Net students to conduct high quality doctoral thesis research of international standard. The research themes/topics will be carried out by AUN/SEED-Net students under joint supervision of Host Institutions and Japanese Supporting Universities. During the period of three (3) years of scholarship, students in the Doctoral Degree Sandwich Program and Integrated Graduate Program can visit their Japanese co-advisors to receive thesis research supervision. 3. Objectives (1) To carry out joint thesis research supervision by Japanese co-advisor in Japan. (2) To ensure high quality of doctoral thesis (which will lead to a good number of publications in reputable international refereed journals) and to ensure the completion of the degree within three years. AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015; p.2
(3) To enhance the research collaboration between Host Institutions and Japanese Supporting Universities 4. Applicant Eligibility Doctoral Degree Sandwich students and Integrated Graduate students of AUN/SEED-Net who are in good health both physically and mentally. 5. Period of Study in Japan (1) For Doctoral Degree Sandwich Program student, during three (3) years of scholarship period, students are eligible to make Short-term Study in Japan once or twice, for a total duration of eight (8) months. (2) In case students choose to make Short-term Study in Japan twice, it is required that one of the two times must be within one (1) month (30 days). (3) The number of study and duration of each time will be specified upon commencement of doctoral study based on the consultation between advisors at Host Institutions and Co-advisors at Japanese Supporting Universities. (4) For Integrated Graduate students, during four (4) years of scholarship period, students are eligible to make two (2) one-month visits and one (1) eight-month visit of Short-term Study in Japan, for a total duration of ten (10) months. (5) Students are not accepted to travel overseas during the stay in Japan under this program as the study period should be maximized. Unless indispensible for the thesis/degree of completion. 6. Application Procedure (1) Upon consultation between the advisor at Host Institution and co-advisor at Japanese Supporting Universities, the attached application form for Short-term Study Program in Japan must be filled by the applicant. (2) After the process in (1), the application must be endorsed by the applicant s advisor at Host Institution as well as Japanese co-advisor (endorsement by e-mail communication is acceptable). (3) The applicant sends the completed application form and other required documents to the AUN/SEED-Net. One application form is to be submitted for each single trip only. For Doctoral Degree Sandwich students who plan to make Short-term Study in Japan twice, two (2) application forms must be submitted separately by the respective deadline given in the Implementation Guidelines of the respective Japanese Fiscal Year. In case the proposed duration of study in Japan is one month or longer, the following additional steps will be taken. (4) AUN/SEED-Net instructs the applicant and his/her home institution (sending institution) to prepare and submit JICA Application Form to the JICA local office and/or the Embassy of Japan in the applicant s home country through diplomatic channel after endorsed by different government offices AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015; p.3
concerned in the country. The JICA Application Form is an official request form for the applicant s visit to Japan, whose related procedures are described in the section 6 below. (5) When the JICA Application Form is prepared, a photocopy of the form should be sent also to the AUN/SEED-Net. (6) Applicants must submit the health check-up certificate taken at least two months before proposed departure date. Applicants who are pregnant or suffer from chronic diseases, e.g., respiratory illness, cardiac disease, metabolic disease (diabetes, etc.), renal dysfunction and immune insufficiency (systemic steroid administration, etc.) shall not be approved of the visit to Japan in principle. 7. Submission Deadline of the Application Forms Application Form for Short-term Study Program in Japan, with a covering letter signed by Head of Department, or Dean, or the Representative of the respective Host Institution, in either hard or soft copy (PDF or JPEG format), should be submitted to AUN/SEED-Net Secretariat according to the deadlines scheduled as follows: *Students are eligible for 1 or 2 study trips with total period in Japan shorter than 8 months Type of SSJP Expected Duration of Application Deadline Trip START date between Study in Japan Long SSJP 1-8 months 30 November 2014 1 May 2015-1 March 2016 Short SSJP 10-30 days* 3 months prior to expected departure date 1 May 2015-10 February 2016 *Application must be submitted by the timeline even if the plan is tentative. The delay of submission may result in cancellation of the plan. 8. Portrait Rights The applicant agrees to the condition that AUN/SEED-Net has the right to use photos of the person engaged in AUN/SEED-Net activities for advertising or promotional purposes of PR and reporting without consent for each individual case. 9. Student Visa at Host Country It is the student s sole responsibility to facilitate a valid visa in Host Country until the time the student returns from Japan. The lack of such arrangement may cause refusal of entry to the Host Country. AUN/SEED-Net will NOT bear any caused by such negligence. AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015; p.4
(ASEAN University Network / Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network) APPLICATION FORM Short-term Study Program in Japan 2015 Application form can be downloaded from http://www.seed-net.org/. Please print or type all entries. Application form and other supporting documents, in either hard or soft copy (PDF or JPEG format), should be submitted to the AUN/SEED-Net at the address given below by the deadline given in Implementation Guidelines 2015: AUN/SEED-Net Project (Short-term Study Program in Japan) Tel: (66 2) 2186419, 2186420, 2186421 Faculty of Engineering Bldg. 2, Rm. 109-110 Fax: (66 2) 2186418 Chulalongkorn University E-mail: grad@aun-seed.net Bangkok, 10330, THAILAND Program Guidelines Applicants should study the Implementation Guidelines of the Short-term Study Program in Japan 2015. It is advisable to provide detailed information and description for each item below, and attach supporting documents when necessary. 1 Applicant s Personal Information 1.1 Family Name Given Name 1.2 Full Name (as appears in passport) 1.3 Gender ( ) Male Female 1.4 Age.. Years (at the time of application) 1.5 Nationality 1.6 Date of Arrival in the Date Month Year Host Country 1.7 Passport Expiry Date Date Month Year 1.8 Visa Expiry Date (Host Country) 1.9 Contact Address at Host Country (Mailing Address) Telephone Mobile Phone E-mail Address 1.10 Home Address Date Month Year Telephone E-mail Address AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015; p.5
2 Advisor s Information 2.1 Advisor at Host Institution Family Name Given Name Position Department/Laboratory University Telephone E-mail Address 2.1 Japanese Co-advisor Family Name Given Name Position Department/Laboratory University Telephone E-mail Address 3 Research Plan during Short-term Study in Japan 2.3 Expected Short Visit (optional) Total Period (7-30 days) Date of Arrival 2.4 Expected Long Visit Total Period (1-8 months) Date of Departure Date of Arrival Please describe briefly your research plan during Short-term Study in Japan Date of Departure 4 Medical Record (Only required in case the proposed study period in Japan is one (1) month or longer) Before you complete the Medical Record Questionnaire, you are hereby notified that a medical condition resulting from an undisclosed pre-existing condition may not be financially compensated and may result in termination of your Short-term Study in Japan. (Applicants are required to submit health certificate to the JICA Country Office at least 2 months before departure date.) AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015; p.6
4.1 Please check Yes or No and provide an explanation for the following (when appropriate) Yes No Explanation Have you ever had a significant or serious illness or injury? (If hospitalized, give place & dates.) Have you had an operation or been advised by a physician to have an operation? (Give place & dates.) Do you currently use any drugs for treatment of a medial condition? (Give name & dosage.) Have you ever been a patient in a mental hospital or sanitarium, or been treated by a psychiatrist? (Give place & dates.) 4.2 Do you now have or have you ever had the conditions listed below? (Please indicate Yes or No for each item. If yes, circle the relevant condition.) Conditions Yes No 1 Asthma, emphysema, or other lung conditions 2 Tuberculosis or in persistent contact with someone who has tuberculosis 3 High blood pressure, heart disease 4 Stomach, liver (hepatitis), gall bladder disease 5 Kidney or bladder disease, stones or blood in urine 6 Diabetes (sugar in the urine) 7 Depression, excess worry, attempted suicide, or other psychological symptoms 8 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) 9 Tumor, abnormal growth, cyst, or cancer 10 Bleeding disorder, blood disease (sickle cell anemia) 5 Document Checklist : Compulsory Please check ( ) that your application is complete and that you have enclosed all documents listed below. These documents are compulsory and please note that AUN/SEED-Net will NOT consider any application with incomplete documents. You may also attach other supporting document that can reinforce your application. 8.1 This application, completed with photo & signature 8.2 Photocopy of your current passport (the first page, and the page showing your latest visa status in the Host Country of your doctoral study) 8.3 Health Certificate (for a visit of more than 1 month) 8.4 Others (please specify) AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015; p.7
6 Declaration I certify that the statements made by me in this form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. If accepted for the Short-term Study Program in Japan, I agree: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) not to bring any member of my family. to carry out such instructions and abide by such conditions as may be stipulated by both the hosting institution and the AUN/SEED-Net in respect of this course of study. to follow the course, and abide by the rules of the institution or establishments with which I undertake to study to refrain from engaging in political activities, or any form of employment for profit or gain. to submit any progress report or evaluation questionnaires which may be prescribed. I also fully understand that if accepted for the Short-term Study Program in Japan, the grant may be subsequently withdrawn if I fail to make adequate progress, or for other sufficient cause including physical conditions determined by the Government of Japan or the AUN/SEED-Net Project. Applicant Name: Signature: Date: 7 Endorsement Advisor at Host Institution Name: Signature: Japanese Co-advisor (if not applicable, endorsement by email communication is also acceptable). Name: Signature: Date: Date: AUN/SEED-Net Short-Term Study Program in Japan 2015; p.8