Global Circus

Global Circus

Integrating Trailblazingon the Research Frontierwith the Expansion of Graduate Education
Beyond Borders

Integrating Trailblazingon the Research Frontierwith the Expansionof Graduate Education
Beyond Borders

The term “circus” in ancient Latin means a “forum” or a“circle.” Niigata University’s Global Circus Programprovides a round table for international collaboration ofscientific research advancement and integration of it
into graduate education in order to contribute toprosperous social development in Asia and around theworld.

What are you waiting for ? Join the Global Circus!
To become a partner

Website:http://www.gs.niigata-u.ac.jp/~gsweb/gs/english/

Contact: gc-gs@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp

TEL +81-25-262-7387 FAX +81-25-262-7398

The Graduate Schoolof Science and Technology
Niigata University

The Graduate School of Science and Technology Niigata University
Join theGlobal Circleof Excellence

In ancient Latin, the word “circus” means “circle”.
Global Circus is thus defined as an arena ofknowledge. More specifically, it is an international

Our ResearchFields

The core foundation of Global Circus exists in ourcoal. He and his research team are well-known as thefaculty members’ international collaborative

most leading scholars, i.e. "Hi-Ci" scholars in the fields.

research activities with foreign research partners.

learning and research mechanism shared by

EducationalPrograms

Mutually benefiting graduate education between

partner universities to which each contributes theExamples of Global Issue Themes

skills and specialties in which it is particularly- Environmental preservation

proficient. It is a new framework, which we intend- Agricultural production and food security

to establish in Asia in the 21st century, patterned- Reconstruction after severe natural disasters

Our concept of exchange should be distinguishedafter “Studia Generalia,” an experiment in- Human protection technology

from programs which simply receive or dispatch

academic exchange between scholars andpartners that shares the cost and work, andmaximizes learning experiences

scholars and graduate students.

students across Europe, initiated by the Holy

Examples of Contemporary Frontier Research

Graduate students participating in Global Circus are

Roman Empire in the 14th century. Global Circus- Nano science and technology

expected to pursue their study and research under aunites Niigata University with other world-class- Biotechnology

certain theme related to these projects and to beinstitutions especially in East Asia. Since our- Quantum sciencemobilized among institutions around the world.

research activities have gained an excellent- Information science

Various forms of academic experiences andreputation as a resource for internationalization,…many other scientific fields.

professional involvement are provisioned. Examples

we aim to base our graduate research andinclude

education on the foundations of the collaborative- Research Camps (short term exchange visits forresearch that our faculty members are conducting

research between partner institutions)with foreign scholars.
The research on the world trend shows that in past
decades faculty members’ involvement in- A series of Joint Lectures (at both Niigata University

Indicators
of Excellence

Niigata University’s competitive edge is found in ourinternationally recognized faculty researchachievement. According to the Asian Universityand partner institutions)- International Research Internships (for our double
degree programs)international research projects became more vital

Ranking 2009 conducted by QS (Quacquarelli- Graduate Research Symposia

not only for our competitive position, hence it

Symonds), UK, our faculty publication activity is- Double Degree Program as a more formal

reflects on the quality of graduate education.

ranked as the 41st among Asia’s top 200 universities

opportunity that leads to a master or doctoralThus, what we desire to achieve in our program is(Score point 90 out of 100).

degree in science, agriculture, and engineering

not to try to echo the fads of commercialization
present in higher education nowadays, but toIt is particularly worth noting that the score onNiigata University provides financial assistance for thecreate a new twist on higher education based oncitations per paper is 96 out of 100, which raises ourhighly qualified doctoral students, and exchange

the timeless values of tradition.

status to the 17th among universities in Asia andprograms.

places us right after such prestigious institutions in
Asia as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, theUniversity of Hong Kong, Osaka University, and so

Our Goals

This program will build and enhance internationalon.

intellectual networks based at Niigata Universityby- fostering mutual educational and research

Global Circus Faculty Member Snap Shotexchange with our overseas partner institutions- integrating more powerful, advanced research
into our graduate education program- sharing academic endeavors with international
scholars and graduate students- realizing the intellectual excitement of seeking

Dr. Kodama received his Ph.D. degree in Sciencefrom Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1994, and won
numerous awards and grants for his research
projects.
His professional expertise is high-temperature solar

knowledge and the possibilities forchemistry for converting solar heat to chemical fuels,

cross-disciplinary innovations.

solar thermochemical water splitting cycles, solar
reforming of natural gas, and solar gasification of