FY 2024 Graduate School of Sustainability Science,
Department of Agricultural Science/Department of Dryland Science and
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences

Student Recruitment Notice for “Poland Visiting Program”
We recruit students for our short-term program in which participants join “Habitat Studies” offered ata research station of University of Warsaw, Poland. This program provides students with the ability toscientifically evaluate the natural environment from various aspects such as soil science, plant ecology,
and ecosystem services through both lectures and practical field work. The program is open to those whowish to improve the field science skills and learn in the overseas research environment with the aim ofbecoming human resources who can take an active part in the global community.
1.

Outline and Objectives
In this program, students will join “Habitat Studies” offered at the Faculty of Biology, University ofWarsaw, in English. Students will acquire the ability to scientifically evaluate the natural environment from
aspects such as soil science, plant ecology, and ecosystem services in wetlands, oak forests, alder forests,
coniferous forests, semi-natural grasslands, and agricultural sites.
In lectures, students study the relationship between climatic and geographical factors, topography,moisture conditions, soil, and vegetation, and learn how the natural environment is formed andmaintained. In the field, students practice the physical, chemical, and biological properties of geology andsoils, and sampling is conducted for chemical analysis in the laboratory. Students observe soil
invertebrates and fungi that are important in organic matter decomposition, material cycling, and soil
formation, and learn about aquatic plants and plankton in small bodies of water and their ecosystem
functions. Students will also analyze the relationship with the management of the study site and learn
about environmental conservation in a practical manner. Finally, a summary presentation and discussion
will be given. Through the above, we aim to improve students’ skills to:
1. understand and scientifically evaluate the ecosystem function of the target site in the field
2. identify important ecological factors affecting soil properties and vegetation
3. decipher the complex relationships among groups of organisms with differing functionality innatural and semi-natural ecosystems
4. use modern techniques in soil science and ecology in appropriate ways

2. Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants must meet all the following conditions.
1)Those who are (1) Master's course students of Department of Dryland Science or the Departmentof Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Science for Sustainable Society, or (2) doctoral
course students of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University who issupervised by a faculty member participating in a research project of IPDRE

2)

Those who are physically and mentally healthy and highly motivated.

3)

Those who have the consent of their supervisor and parents/guardians to participate in thisprogram.

4)

Those who have a certain level of English proficiency.

5)

Those who agree that their names, travel details, and reports will be made public on Tottori
University’s website etc.

6)

Those who have already taken the “Short-term Intensive Overseas Safety Seminar (e-learning)” or“Overseas Safety Management I” (2-credit courses given before 2023 is also available).

3. Credit
Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate from Warsaw University and canapply for using the acquired credits as TU’s credits.
4. Period of dispatch
August 30 (Friday) to September 16 (Monday), 2024
Note: Dates may be changed depending on flights.
5. Number of students to be dispatched
10 (tentative)
Note: Selection will be made for all applicants based on the submitted documents and interviews.
6. Course fees (under consideration)
Maximum 100,000 JPY
7. Accompanying faculty member
Prof. Takao Ishikawa (University of Warsaw)
Prof. Dai NAGAMASTU (Tottori University)
Prof. Daichi HAGA (Tottori University)
8. Place
Republic of Poland, Masurian Lakeland,
The Masurian Center for Biodiversity and Nature Education in Urwitałt
http://mazury.biol.uw.edu.pl/english/
9. Teachers of the Habitat Studies courseProfessor Małgorzata Suska-Malawska (MSM)
Expertised in: biogeochemistry, soils science and ecosystem , ecology

Professor Iwona Jasser (IJ)
Expertised in: hydrobiology and ecology of microorganisms

Dr. Monika Mętrak Ph.D. (MM)Expertised in: biogeochemistry (organic matter composition and transformations) and ecosystem ecology

Dr. Mteusz Wilk Ph.D. (MW)Expertised in: mycology and soil biology10. Detailed Schedule
Note: Contents might be changed.
August 30 (Fri)
August 31 (Sat)
September 1 (Sun)September 2 (Mon)

September 3 (Tue)

September 4 (Wed)

September 5 (Thu)

September 6 (Fri)

September 7 (Sat)

September 8 (Sun)September 9 (Mon)
September 10 (Tue)
September 11 (Wed)
September 12 (Thu)

Departure from Tottori
Arrival in Warsaw, Stay in Warsaw
Move to The Masurian Center for Biodiversity and Nature Education in Urwitałt
http://mazury.biol.uw.edu.pl/english/
Introduction to the Habitat Studies Course
1. Lecture: Landscape and geohistory of the Masurian Lakes Region
2. Field: Landscape and nature observation of the Masurian Lakes Region
3. Lecture: Formation and characteristics of peatlands
4. Lecture: History and culture of the Lake Masurian Region
Regular classes
1. Lecture: Soils of the Lake Masurian region and field methods in soil science
2. Field: Coniferous and marsh forests - soil profile description, vegetation survey, soilsampling
3. Laboratory: Processing of soil and sediment samples
Regular classes
1. Field: Oak-shade forest and alder-soil profile description, vegetation survey, soilsampling
2. Lecture: fungi - diversity and function, function-based survey methods
3. Laboratory: processing soil and sediment samples 4. lecture: soil invertebrates
4. Lecture: soil invertebrates - diversity and function, function-based methods
Regular classes
1. Field: All study sites - soil invertebrate and mycorrhizal sampling
2. Laboratory: Macrofauna sorting
3. Laboratory: Setting up the Zurgren apparatus
4. Laboratory: Soil chemical analysis - pH, EC, particle size analysis Part 1
5. Preparation of organic sediment samples
Regular classes
1. Laboratory: Identification of fungi2. Laboratory: Soil chemical analysis - pH, EC, particle size analysis Part 2
3. Laboratory: Analysis of organic sediments
Regular classes
1. Laboratory: Soil chemical analysis - particle size analysis Part 3
2. Laboratory: Identification of fungi
3. Laboratory: Identification of soil invertebrates
4. Laboratory: Dry mass analysis of soil Part 1
Regular classes
1. Lecture: Physical and chemical characteristics of soils
2. Lecture: Biodiversity of lake ecosystems and the role of small water bodies inagricultural landscapes
3. Field: Water sampling for chemical and algal analysis from small watersheds
4. Laboratory: Dry mass analysis of soil Part 2
5. Laboratory: Soil chemical analysis - particle size analysis Part 4
Regular classes
1. Laboratory: Identification of algae and aquatic plants
2. Workshop: Watershed conservation
3. Data processing of survey sites
Summary Preparation
1. Data processing of survey sites assigned to each group
Summary Preparation
1. Prepare a presentation on the research sites assigned to each group assigned habitats
Final Presentation

September 13 (Fri)
September 14 (Sat)
September 15 (Sun)September 16 (Mon)

1. Final presentation
2. Cleaning and packing
Departure from Urwitałt to Warsaw
Sightseeing around Warsaw
Departure from Warsaw
Arrival in Tottori via Narita *Arrival in Tottori may be on the 17th

Contents and dates may change due to flight schedule, coordination with overseas partner institutions, etc.

In addition to the above dispatch period, there will be one day each for pre- and post-dispatch study.

For the outdoor activities, it is recommended to bring student ID card, waterproof goods (raincoat, boots,etc.), insect repellent, sunscreen, basic medicines against colds, allergies, a vacuum bottle.

Please be sure to bring a laptop.
11. Application period and method:
Recruitment period:

From Monday, June 3 to 5:00PM Monday, June 17, 2024

Submission:
Application documents:

Submit the following documents to the places of submission.
(1) Application form (see attached)(2) Copy of passport(3) Valid proof of English proficiency (TOEIC or TOEFL score
reports, EIKEN test results etc.)* Submission is desired, but not necessary.
12.

Schedule for the application and screening:
Interview date

Friday, June 21, 2024
*Interviews will be conducted for all applicants. If you are unable to
make the scheduled interview date, please let us know in advance.
*Information on the interview location and time will be provided
through your supervisor.

Screening method

Contents of application document and result of interview will be taken
into account.

Result notice

Wednesday, 26 June 2024

13. Note
Please note that the program might be cancelled due to the spread of the new coronavirus or other
unforeseen circumstances.
14. Place to submit application documents
Administration office of International Platform for Dryland Research and Education
Address: 1390 Hamasaka, Tottori, 680-0001
Email: ipd-zim@ml.adm.tottori-u.ac.jp
15. Inquiry
Prof. Dai NAGAMATSU, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University
Tel.: 0857- 31-5112
Email: daina@tottori-u.ac.jp

2024年度 鳥取大学大学院 「ポーランド派遣プログラム」申請書
FY 2023 Graduate School of Sustainability Science, Master’s program
Application for “Poland visiting program”
所属：
Affiliation:※パスポートと同様の氏名を記載

氏名(押印又は自筆)：
Name (One’s own writing or(as shown on passport)

affix seal):

国籍：
Nationality:

生年月日：
Date of birth:

健康状態：
Health status:

応募動機：
Reason for application:

指導教員確認欄Supervisor’s confirmation
上記のとおり応募することを確認しました。
I hereby give my consent for above stated student to apply for the “Overseas Practice
Exercise.”

日付

氏名印

DateName

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