On July 16, 2025, The 2nd University-Wide FD Workshop "The Significance and Value of Interdisciplinary Education in Graduate Schools: Focusing on Lab Rotation" was held online, attended by 58 faculty members.
Since FY2022, Kanazawa University has been offering GS Foundational and Advanced Courses in graduate programs, enabling the design of cross-disciplinary curricula across graduate schools. As part of this initiative, a university-wide lab rotation program for interdisciplinary research exploration has been implemented across all graduate schools for students in the master’s and doctoral programs. In this workshop, participants explored the significance and value of interdisciplinary education in graduate schools through a keynote lecture on advanced initiatives at Tohoku University, as well as case studies showcasing interdisciplinary research exploration at Kanazawa University.
Following the opening remarks by Trustee and Vice President Akiharu Morimoto, and an explanation of the workshop’s objectives by Advisor to the President Toru Taniuchi, a keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Akira Ando, Director of the Center for Graduate School Innovation, Tohoku University. His lecture, titled "Interdisciplinary Education and the Development of Transferable Skills in Graduate Programs at Tohoku University: A New Approach to Learning for Graduate Students," highlighted innovative practices in graduate education. Subsequently, case studies on interdisciplinary research exploration at Kanazawa University were presented by Associate Professor Chihiro Inose from the Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Professor Hidemi Nagao from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Institute of Science and Engineering, and Professor Michihiro Mieda from the Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences.
In the latter half of the workshop, a Q&A session was held under the facilitation of Professor Toru Hayashi, Vice Director of the Center for Management of Teaching and Learning, facilitation. The discussion covered topics such as the composition of organizations promoting graduate school reform, the definition and assessment of transferable skills, and the learning objectives of interdisciplinary research exploration, including the essential information required for selecting research laboratories. The large number of questions raised during the session reflected the strong interest in the theme of this workshop.
Finally, Advisor to the President Atsuko Goda, FD Committee Chair gave closing remarks, and the meeting ended on a high note.
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Keynote Speech on Initiatives at Tohoku University -
Exchange of opinions
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