Latest news with #ShimaneUniversity
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Japanese University Marks 15th Study Tour To Wintec
Press Release – Wintec 16 students participated in the academic trip, where they gained valuable insights into the New Zealand health sector, developed their language abilities, and experienced New Zealand culture first-hand. Nursing and medical students from Shimane University in Japan completed a two-week, short-term training programme with Wintec in New Zealand earlier this year. The visiting students are the 15th study group to travel to Wintec from the Japanese university, marking a significant milestone in the 17-year relationship between the two tertiary education providers. 16 students participated in the academic trip, where they gained valuable insights into the New Zealand health sector, developed their language abilities, and experienced New Zealand culture first-hand. Jo Thomas, Wintec Group Director Health, Social Practice, Science and Languages, recognises the strong connection between Wintec and Shimane University. 'Our relationship has flourished during these 15 years of study tours that our institutions have enjoyed together. 'I believe this shows a great awareness of the value this experience delivers to Shimane University students and also an impressive commitment by our institution to provide a unique and rounded educational experience. 'Wintec also shares key values and principles with Shimane. We're both committed to high-quality tertiary education and share a belief in the value of internationalisation, not just to build skills and to provide interesting opportunities, but to make human connections across borders, to experience other cultures, and to gain insights into world views that differ from our own,' said Jo. Professor Jun Iwata, Department of Medical, Social, and Cultural Science at Shimane University and Professor Masatoshi Kataoka, Doctor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine 2 at Shimane University Hospital, accompanied the study group. As part of the tour programme, the group visited Wintec's Centre for Health and Social Practice and enrolled in English language courses through the tertiary institute's Centre for Languages. Outside the classroom, students stayed with local homestay families and had plenty of opportunities to explore and experience New Zealand culture and what the Waikato region has to offer. The study tour concluded with a small celebratory event at Wintec's City Campus, where the students, in their traditional Japanese dress, were presented certificates from Wintec as a memento of their time in New Zealand. Each student shared highlights from their experiences on the trip, from meat pies, hokey pokey ice cream, and visiting the Glowworm Caves in Waitomo to attending a Super Rugby game, interacting with other students on campus, and learning about Māori culture. The relationship between Wintec and Shimane University first began with a staff exchange programme in 2008, with short-term student study tours starting in 2010. Wintec and Shimane University are proud to celebrate the completion of another successful study tour and look forward to celebrating many more. About Wintec Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) is an institute of technology based in New Zealand's Waikato region. Wintec offers a wide range of degrees, diplomas and certificates. With a focus on practical, hands-on learning, Wintec is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen careers. Wintec is currently part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, located in region 2 of the national network.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Japanese University Marks 15th Study Tour To Wintec
Nursing and medical students from Shimane University in Japan completed a two-week, short-term training programme with Wintec in New Zealand earlier this year. The visiting students are the 15th study group to travel to Wintec from the Japanese university, marking a significant milestone in the 17-year relationship between the two tertiary education providers. 16 students participated in the academic trip, where they gained valuable insights into the New Zealand health sector, developed their language abilities, and experienced New Zealand culture first-hand. Jo Thomas, Wintec Group Director Health, Social Practice, Science and Languages, recognises the strong connection between Wintec and Shimane University. 'Our relationship has flourished during these 15 years of study tours that our institutions have enjoyed together. 'I believe this shows a great awareness of the value this experience delivers to Shimane University students and also an impressive commitment by our institution to provide a unique and rounded educational experience. 'Wintec also shares key values and principles with Shimane. We're both committed to high-quality tertiary education and share a belief in the value of internationalisation, not just to build skills and to provide interesting opportunities, but to make human connections across borders, to experience other cultures, and to gain insights into world views that differ from our own,' said Jo. Professor Jun Iwata, Department of Medical, Social, and Cultural Science at Shimane University and Professor Masatoshi Kataoka, Doctor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine 2 at Shimane University Hospital, accompanied the study group. As part of the tour programme, the group visited Wintec's Centre for Health and Social Practice and enrolled in English language courses through the tertiary institute's Centre for Languages. Outside the classroom, students stayed with local homestay families and had plenty of opportunities to explore and experience New Zealand culture and what the Waikato region has to offer. The study tour concluded with a small celebratory event at Wintec's City Campus, where the students, in their traditional Japanese dress, were presented certificates from Wintec as a memento of their time in New Zealand. Each student shared highlights from their experiences on the trip, from meat pies, hokey pokey ice cream, and visiting the Glowworm Caves in Waitomo to attending a Super Rugby game, interacting with other students on campus, and learning about Māori culture. The relationship between Wintec and Shimane University first began with a staff exchange programme in 2008, with short-term student study tours starting in 2010. Wintec and Shimane University are proud to celebrate the completion of another successful study tour and look forward to celebrating many more. About Wintec Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) is an institute of technology based in New Zealand's Waikato region. Wintec offers a wide range of degrees, diplomas and certificates. With a focus on practical, hands-on learning, Wintec is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen careers. Wintec is currently part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, located in region 2 of the national network.
Japan Times
12-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Times
Japanese universities expanding female quotas in science
Universities in Japan are increasingly introducing admission quotas for female applicants at science and engineering faculties in order to raise the number of women in science. The initiative, under which a certain number of admission slots are set aside exclusively for female applicants, is aimed at correcting a persistent gender imbalance in science-related fields, but it also raises concerns over discrimination against male students. According to the education ministry, female quotas were adopted at 30 national and public universities in their science and engineering faculties this spring — more than double the 14 universities that had such system in the previous year. One of the universities that is riding on the wave of the trend is Institute of Science Tokyo, which was launched last October through a merger of Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Before the merger, the former Tokyo Institute of Technology introduced female quotas in the 2024 academic year with a total of 58 slots, which were offered apart from the general admission slots. This spring, female quotas in science and engineering faculties at the merged school were raised to 149. Shimane University introduced a female quota of six for the Faculty of Materials for Energy in the 2023 academic year, and another 20 for the Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science and Engineering in the 2025 academic year. 'There's still a widespread misconception that engineering faculties are dirty, dangerous, and not a place for women,' lamented Tsuyoshi Mihara, dean of the Faculty of Materials for Energy. Mihara has visited high schools in Shimane Prefecture and elsewhere to introduce his university to female students. 'By establishing female quotas, we can send a strong message that these faculties are welcoming to women,' he said. Increasing the number of female students has a positive impact on all science and engineering faculties, Mihara said. 'Women who enter engineering faculties with strong determination tend to be proactive in classes and show leadership.' He also noted that female students' pragmatic approach in selecting future careers, considering factors like marriage and child-rearing, is inspiring for male students. Restrooms for women have been made spacious and bright at Shimane University's Faculty of Materials for Energy. | Shimane University / via Chugoku Shimbun Shimane University is also improving facilities to be more appealing to female students. A new building for the Faculty of Materials for Energy, completed in February, features larger restrooms and stylish furniture. Bright colors have been chosen for walls and chairs in classrooms. Meanwhile, Hiroshima University will introduce female quotas in the 2026 academic year at three of its faculties — the School of Science, the School of Engineering, and the School of Informatics and Data Science — with a total of 37 slots set aside for female applicants. The university has been working for nearly 20 years to increase the number of women in science-related departments by holding science workshops for female high school students or offering opportunities for them to interview women in science. However, these measures have done little to increase the number of female applicants. Tsutomu Mizuta, dean of the School of Science who served as head of the admission office until the end of March, said holding promotional events alone was not enough to increase the number of female applicants amid a strong impression that it's unusual for women to go into engineering. 'It may seem drastic, but a female quota system is necessary to break through that bias,' Mizuta said. In response to opinions that adopting female quotas would constitute discrimination against male students, Mizuta stressed that it is important to dispel misunderstandings that female students are getting preferential treatment because of their gender. 'It's not a system that gives women a leg up unfairly — we still strictly assess their academic standards,' he said. 'We want to make that point clear.' Hiroshima University will introduce female quotas in the 2026 academic year at three of its faculties. | Chugoku Shimbun According to a 2024 survey by Kawaijuku, a major prep school for university entrance exams, more than half of the surveyed high school students supported the female quota system, but the rate of support declined from the previous year, suggesting a persistent sense of inequality regarding the system. The survey was conducted online among first- and second-year high school students in November and December and received valid responses from 3,762 students. Asked how they felt about introducing female quotas in science-related faculties where the ratio of female students is low, 56% supported the idea, while 44% were opposed. The support rate dropped by 8.7 percentage points from the previous survey conducted in January 2023. In the free-response section, there were around 500 comments opposing the initiative, compared with only about 100 comments supporting it. Reasons for opposition included 'Equal opportunities should be given in entrance exams regardless of gender' and 'This could end up reinforcing gender discrimination.' Supportive comments included 'More women in science will bring diverse perspectives' and 'It will broaden opportunities for women.' An official at Kawaijuku said universities need to go beyond simply establishing female quotas in admissions. 'They must promote the benefits of increasing the number of women more clearly, including those during and after their university education.' This section features topics and issues covered by the Chugoku Shimbun, the largest newspaper in the Chugoku region. The original article was published April 18.
