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From Fall 2006, in additional to the existing Graduate Program,
APU will be starting a Dual Master's Degree Program in Environmental Management jointly with the University of Applied Science Trier (hereinafter 'Trier' - a university established by the State of Rhineland in Germany).
In recent years, the Japan-Germany relations have been strengthened on various levels, and the 'Year of Germany in Japan 2005/2006' has seen the essence of Germany being brought into Japan in a broad range of events in academic, cultural, economic and scientific fields.
The International Material Flow Management (IMAT) program is one of many initiatives launched to coincide with this commemorative year and authorized by the government of Germany as the offical Japanese operation of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
In this issue we will present the outline of the program and introduce the two professors who have been closely involved with the establishment of the program.
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Professor for Material Flow
Management at the Environmental
Campus Birkenfeld, University for
Applied Sciences Trier
Research field: Sustainable Energy
Systems and Applied Material
Flow Management |
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APU Vice President
(Development Affairs)
Research field:
Cities and Environment
in the Asia Pacific Region |
About the University of Applied Science, Trier and the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS)
Trier is among the foremost German institutions in the field of environmental management. APU was approached by Trier's Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS) in September 2004 regarding the possibility of establishing a Japan-Germany Dual Master's Degree Program, and both institutions have worked together to bring this to fruition.
IfaS is a relatively new institution, established in October 2001, but it has already established itself as one of Germany's primary centers for environmental management research and has operated as the Material Flow Management Network Center in its state since 2003. It takes a cross-disciplinary approach, incorporating concepts and techniques from fields such as economics, politics, ecology and technology and communication studies as well as environmental engineering. |
Objectives and characteristics of the program
It is envisaged that this program will transcend the framework of bilateral cooperation between APU and IfaS and contribute to the broader agenda of aligning Japanese university degrees with global standards and enhancing the international competitiveness of Japanese higher education through the development of new fields of academic endeavor.
It will also produce professionals trained in cross-disciplinary methods of analysis, problem solving, policy formulation and application of technologies in the area of environmental planning and management - a critical task for the future of the Asia Pacific region. All subjects in the program will be taught in English and offered in collaboration between the two universities under the Environmental Policy and Management specialization at APU's Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies International Cooperation Policy major and Trier's Institute for Applied Material Flow Management.
Students completing the program will be awarded a Master of Science (International Cooperation Policy) from APU and a Master of Engineering from Trier. The program is unprecedented in that it enables students, within a period of two years, to earn Master's degrees from two countries (under the Bologna declaration of 1999, degrees awarded at German universities are recognized throughout the EU), one in the humanities area and one in science and engineering. |
Outline of educational content
The International Material Flow Management Program integrates elements of engineering, economics and environmental science into a curriculum which focuses on strategies for the management of technology. Innovative applications of technology in the fields of energy, water, waste and other material streams are connected with the management of stakeholder networks, life cycle planning, innovative financing systems and sustainable development. The program includes an internship with German companies, enabling students to enhance their practical knowledge and experience. |
The program will be structured as follows.
 Year One:
IfaS faculty members teach subjects at APU.
Semester 1:
Technology and Ecology, Technological Management, Project Seminar.
Semester 2:
Material Flow Management, Intercultural Communications, Project Seminar.
Year Two:
Semester 3:
Subjects (and internship) taken at IfaS.
Semester 4:
Production of a Master's Thesis at IfaS. |
Significance for APU's New Challenge Plan
APU launched its New Challenge Plan in 2006. One pillar of the project is the establishment of a Health, Environment and Life Sciences Institute. The DAAD-IMAT program will be operated as part of this Institute's activities, and it will be possible for graduates of the undergraduate curriculum in Health, Environment and Life Sciences to spend one year studying at Trier's graduate school. The opportunity to earn a degree recognized throughout the EU (under the Bologna Declaration) will further enhance the international character of APU's curriculum for all students. This new and exciting Program will commence soon. We welcome students who wish to make a positive change in the global environment. |
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| <Graduate Schools Corner> |
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DAAD-IMAT PROGRAM Japan-Germany Dual Master's Degree Program in Environmental Management - Starting Soon |
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