MEXT Support Program for the Development of Human Resources in Science and Technology
Published
March 2021

Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment

Diversity and Super Global Training Programfor Female and Young Faculty

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

Ofﬁce for the Promotion of Gender Equality, Kyushu University
744 Motooka Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 JAPAN
TEL.+81-92-802-2034 / FAX.+81-92-802-2038
E-mail：ofﬁce@danjyo.kyushu-u.ac.jp URL：https://sentan-q.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/

Ky u s h u U n i v er s i t y

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

Contents

Greetings

2

President Tatsuro Ishibashi (SENTAN-Q supervisor)

2

Executive Vice President Toshiya Naito (SENTAN-Q implementer)3

Senior Vice President Kaoru Tamada (SENTAN-Q coordinator)

3

1 General Description of SENTAN-Q

4

2 2020 Report

6

STEP1 Selection of Trainees

6

STEP2

University governance, diversity and inclusive education(on campus)

6

STEP3

Teaching methodologies for active learning in English(on campus)

7

STEP4

Directed study and guidance of international students(on campus)

7

STEP5 Up-to-date field-specific recurrent training (on campus) 7

3 Topic

8

1. Kyushu University’s COVID-19 Response and SENTAN-Q

8

2. My Involvement with Kyushu University SENTAN-Q
Program in 202010

3. UC San Diego's Initiatives to Encourage Women's Active
Participation and Promote Gender Equity in Research

12

4. Kyushu University-UC San Diego Joint Webinar Series:
SDGs THINK & ACT Together

14

4 Profiles of Trainees

16

Second term trainees

16First term trainees

21

5 Outlook26

6 Appendix

27

Guide-line for Third term Trainees

27

Unconscious Bias check sheet

33【SENTAN-Q WEBSITE URL】
https://sentan-q.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 20201

Greetings■ SENTAN-Q Supervisor■ SENTAN-Q Implementer

President, Kyushu University

Executive Vice President, Secretary General, Kyushu University

Tatsuro Ishibashi

Toshiya Naito

Kyushu University launched “Diversity and Super Global Training
Program for Female and Young Faculty (SENTAN-Q)”, following
selection for funding under "Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the
Research Environment", MEXT Support Program for the Development of
Human Resources in Science and Technology in 2019.

Five years has already passed since the United Nations ﬁrst formulated the Sustainable
Development Goals, or SDGs. In Japan, many undertakings are being advanced invarious ﬁelds in a pursuit of a vibrant society supported by diverse human resources—
including the expansion of women’s roles. As we at Kyushu University aspire to thrive as a global hub of education
and research, it is essential to implement an infrastructure in which diverse talents play active roles. Among thesestrategies, the active recruitment and appointment of female researchers is especially important to vitalize research
activities, driven by a variety of standpoints and ideas.
To this end, Kyushu University has been strengthening its efforts to promote gender equality, including creatinginternational recruitment for women-only position openings (KASOKU), introduction of Dual Career Couples
Policies and implementation of support programs for balancing research and child-rearing. In July 2019, Kyushu
University has been selected for funding under "Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment",
MEXT Support Program for the Development of Human Resources in Science and Technology. From January 2020,
we have launched “Diversity and Super Global Training Program for Female and Young Faculty (SENTAN-Q)" withan aim to identify and nurture outstanding female and young faculty, who will lead the academic research as theworld’s top-class and competitive researchers.
Kyushu University is committed to SENTAN-Q producing world’s top-class researchers, as the program bears greatsigniﬁcance in promoting gender equality in education and research environment, as well as for our university ingaining momentum as the world’s leading research university.
In FY 2020, SENTAN-Q welcomed the 2nd term trainees in August. While the outbreak of COVID-19 has
necessitated some adjustments in the initially planned curriculum including lectures from world’s top-classresearchers, we have pursued the program actively, encouraged by the thought that the “new normal” environment
offers us an opportunity to put into practice digitally connected, internationally competitive education and research.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to those involved in coordinating with other universities includinginternational universities and establishing systems on campus.

The aim of SENTAN-Q is to provide outstanding female and young faculty with opportunities forstrengthening their research and educational skills to meet the highest global standards throughtraining courses offered by world class overseas researchers. The program also intends to accelerate
the promotions of successful trainees to high-ranking and management positions and contribute to theuniversity through building a research and educational environment that will be recognized as truly
global.
SENTAN-Q is being implemented with the cooperation of the entire university, as part of administrativereforms centered around “young, female and foreign researchers” as set forth in Kyushu University’s
Mid-term Objectives and Mid-term Plans and the National University Administration Reforms
Facilitation Project etc. Each ﬁscal year, ten trainees are selected from outstanding female and young
faculty through a highly transparent screening process by the selection committee whose members
include experts from outside the university. Successful trainees who reach the targeted learning level
will receive a certiﬁcate and tenured position or a one level promotion will be given within one year of
the completion of the program.
FY 2020 marks the 2nd year of SENTAN-Q program. Despite the outbreak of COVID-19, trainees
including the 2nd term trainees who have been newly selected this year are devoting themselves tothe program making the active use of online conferencing tools. SENTAN-Q will run for 6 years with
6 generation of trainees. We hope to see as many outstanding female and young faculty as possible
to participate in the program, acquire the research and educational skills that meet the highest global
standards and contribute to Kyushu University gaining momentum as the world’s leading research
university.
We highly appreciate your continued support and understanding.

2■ SENTAN-Q Coordinator
Senior Vice President, Distinguished Professor, Kyushu University

Kaoru Tamada
FY 2020 has started in an unprecedented situation of teleworking and in thinking about
the global COVID-19 crisis. I felt that the problems in the world have become closer
more than ever despite the travel restriction barring the overseas travel. Our collaborator
in UC San Diego has let us know the status of COVID-19 countermeasures as well as thesituation of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) at US universities. It has linked to movies about racial issues I watched byinternet and made me think about the difﬁculty of realizing a diversity-inclusive society.
SENTAN-Q program has been carried out in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. After the selection of the 2nd term
trainees, there are currently 20 trainees participating in SENTAN-Q. Now I have become familiar with coordinating
the program using Zoom application tools. It surprises me that we could meet people around the world, even new
encounters, via the web without having the ﬂight for 12 hours.
I hope that the digital society will bring the early resolution of the three Bs’ problems, that is Bias, Barrier andBoundary.
SENTAN-Q will be welcoming the 3rd term trainees next year and be more vitalized. As program coordinator, I willcontinue running the program with energy and enthusiasm. Your cooperation and understanding would be greatly
appreciated.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 20203

1

General Description of SENTAN-Q
Kyushu University was selected for funding under "Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research
Environment", MEXT Support Program for the Development of Human Resources in Science andTechnology in 2019. The aim of this program is to improve diversity in the research environment by
providing female researchers with opportunities for conducting overseas research and encouraging
their active participation in the research upon their return to Japan. It also supports the program
which helps accelerate the promotions of female researchers to high-ranking and management
positions.
To this end, Kyushu University has launched “Diversity and Super Global Training Program for
Female and Young Faculty (SENTAN-Q)” in 2019. The aim of SENTAN-Q is to provide outstanding
female and young faculty members with opportunities to challenge the world top-class researchand education and accelerate their promotions to high-ranking and management positions at theuniversity. Our goal is to create the research and educational environment that will be recognized as
truly global and lead the world academic research.
SENTAN-Q consists of STEP1 to STEP6. Trainees are selected through the highly transparent
screening process from outstanding female and young faculty members, who are recommended bydepartments and expected to attain promotions within a few years (STEP1). After being selected byuniversity-wide committee, trainees start their two-years-period program. They will take on campus
training from STEP2 to STEP5 then proceed to the ﬁnal examination as STEP6, which consists ofoverseas training for more than 8 weeks (please see the appendix for further details).

SENTAN-Q
6 STEPS training
SENTAN-Q

1113), the journal of the Oﬃce for the Promotion of Gender Equality, Kyushu University. We will also

※ D ist rib ut io n o f un co n scio us b ia s ch eck sh eet
Highly transparent university-wide examination committee (substantial promotion
examination)
10 people / year male : female = 1:1, humanities : science = 1:1

S elec t io n o f t rainees

STEP 2

Univers it y g o vernanc e, D ivers it y and I nc lus ive educ at io n

STEP 3T eac h ing m et h o do lo g ies fo r ac t ive learning in Eng lis h

STEP 5

Lecturers: Vice President or former Vice President, from world's top-class universities

Intensive and interactive lectures

D irec t ed s t udy and g uidanc e o f int ernat io nal s t udent s

Learn how to conduct research guidance in English for international students while receiving guidance from a worldʼs
top-class senior researcher as a mentor

Up- t o - dat e field- s pec ific rec urrent t raining

we can adjust the duration to accommodate maternity, child-rearing, or nursing care needs.
program’s progress as well as trainees’ accomplishments are published in Polymorﬁa (ISSN 2424-

STEP 1

STEP 4level promotion will be given. The program lasts two years including the overseas training. However,
SENTAN-Q will aim to produce 50 trainees through 6 application rounds. Information about the

6 steps

On Campus

Trainees who reach the targeted learning level will receive certiﬁcates and tenured position or a one-work with the All Nippon Diversity Network to share our ﬁndings and insights across Japan.
SENTAN-Q is being implemented with the cooperation of entire university, as part of administrativereforms centered around "young, women and foreign researchers" as set forth in Kyushu University's
Mid-term Objectives and Mid-term Plan and the National University Administration ReformFacilitation Project etc.
Implementation
SystemData science (AI or IoT), SDGs or
entrepreneurship , etc.

F inal Exam inat io n: t eac h ing and direc t ed s t udy (o vers eas )Conduct lectures and student research guidance in English
The writing of international co-authored paper as PI

Period:2 years for domestic and overseas training

Certification

4

D iv e r sity Supe r glo bal faculty※One-level promotion within one year of thecompletion of the program※ Promotion of 50 trainees (FY2019-2024)

� Final certification

Office for the Promotionof Gender Equality

Overseas Program/More than 8 weeks
STEP 6

President (Project Supervisor)

SENTAN-Q team

� Program planning� Promotion diversity
� Support / training female researchers

Collaboration
Cooperation
International
Connection� SHARE-Q Office

Training / support
researchers
� IAS

� AiRIMaQ

Collaboration
Cooperation

Plan training / Dateanalysis
� UEII� Selection of trainees from the candidates
� Enforcement the training (on campus / overseas)� IR office

Departments

� Recommendation of candidate
� Support for participation training� Promotion to high-rank position

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

5

22020 Report
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the program has been conducted online using Zoom in responseto the travel restrictions which have been in place both inside and outside Japan. The training has
been successfully implemented by reviewing the contents of each STEP to adjust to the new normalthat will arise in the post-COVID-19 era. For example, STEP3 lecture has been oﬀered to introduce
the online teaching methodologies for active learning.

STEP1

Selection of Trainees

The nomination process for the 2nd term trainees took place between the beginning of March and
May 18 (deadline extended by 7 days). After the screening by application documents and interview,
10 trainees have been selected and the Kick-Oﬀ Meeting was held on July 30. The 2nd term trainees
have started their 2 years training from August.

STEP2

University governance, diversity and inclusive education(on campus)

The 2 traineesndLecture 1
Date: August 3 (Mon) from 10:00 to 12:00 (JST)
Lecturer: Prof. Andrew T.S. Wee, Former Vice President of University andGlobal Relations of National University of Singapore (NUS)
Theme: 1. Introduction to NUS, University Governance, International
Competitiveness2. Importance of Diversity for Society and University(Research and Education)

STEP3

Lecturers:
Teaching + Learning Commons,
UC San Diego

The 1st trainees

Dr. Carolyn Sandoval
Associate Director

Dr. Leah Klement
Education Specialist

Mr. Paul Hadjipieris
Education Specialist

Lecture 1

Date: September 2 (Wed) from 8:30 to 10:00 (JST)
Theme: Lecturing or Learning

Lecture 2

Date: September 10 (Thu) from 8:30 to 10:00 (JST)
Theme: Using Assessments of Student Learning to Inform Your Teaching

Lecture 3

Individually guided learning

The 2nd trainees
Lecture 1

Date: November 6 (Fri) from 8:30 to 10:00 (JST)
Theme: Lecturing or Learning

Lecture 2

Date: November 13 (Fri) from 8:30 to 10:00 (JST)
Theme: Using Assessments of Student Learning to Inform Your Teaching

Lecture 3

Individually guided learning

STEP4

Lecture 2
Date: September 1 (Tues) from 8:30 to 10:00(JST)
Lecturer: Prof. Sandra A. Brown, Vice Chancellor for Research of UC San Diego
Theme: UC San Diego Overview of Research

Teaching methodologies for active learning in English(on campus)

Directed study and guidance of international students(on campus)

Trainees select the overseas mentor for STEP4 themselves. After consulting with overseas mentor,
trainees conducted research guidance to international students of Kyushu University for writing ofinternational co-authored paper. Some trainees have already submitted international co-authoredpaper with international students. The 1st term trainees started STEP4 from January 2020 for one
year. The 2nd term trainees started STEP4 from August 2020 for one year.

STEP5

Lecture 3
Date: January 28 (Thu), 2021 from 8:30 to 10:00(JST)
Lecturers (In the picture, from left to right are):
Dr. Becky R. Petit, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity andInclusion of UC San Diego
Dr. Diane Forbes Berthoud, Assistant Vice Chancellor of
UC San Diego
Theme: Strategic Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Leadership at UC San Diego

6

Up-to-date field-specific recurrent training (on campus)

Trainees select two or more courses from their extra-professional fields. Some trainees havesubmitted reports indicating that STEP5 can help them incorporate new knowledge from diﬀerent
research ﬁelds to enhance their research activities. Some of them have initiated the joint collaborative
research with researchers from diﬀerent research ﬁelds. During the two-years program, trainees are
required to take two or more courses.

In FY 2020, two trainees have been permitted the extension of training periods due to the maternity
leave.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

7

3

Topic
1. Kyushu University’s COVID-19 Response and SENTAN-Q
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread quickly through Europe, America, and other parts of theworld since the ﬁrst cases—initially reported as pneumonia of unknown causes—were reported in
Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It has caused enormous harm and suﬀering around the world.
The outbreak, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020,
still shows no signs of abating today, nearly a year later. It continues to seriously aﬀect the lives ofpeople around the globe.

2020 February

Infections have also spread in Japan, particularly in its major urban areas. The Japanese government
declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures including Fukuoka on April 7, 2020 as provided
for under the Special Measures Law. The state of emergency was expanded to include all areas of
the country on April 16, 2020.

November

Kyushu University called for stricter restraints on campus life on April 13, 2020, declaring a stateof Level 4 as deﬁned in its “Guidance for Preventing the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus Disease(COVID-19)”. At Level 4, students and faculty members are basically prohibited from entering thecampus. Restriction levels have ﬂuctuated between 1.5 and 3 thereafter in line with the rise and fallof the number of newly infected persons.
COVID-19 Response in Fukuoka and at
Kyushu University
March 17
Kyushu University reports first COVID-19 case
April 3Cancellation of First Semester Matriculation Ceremony
April 7
Declaration of state of emergency in Fukuoka Prefecture
April 13
Level 4 (high)May 6
Extension of state of emergency in Fukuoka Prefecture
May 7
Spring Quarter begins, remote lecturing commences
May 18
Guidance Level 3 (medium)May 25
Lifting of state of emergency in Fukuoka Prefecture
June 25
Guidance Level 2 (low)August 6
Guidance Level 3 (medium)
September 1 Guidance Level 2 (low)September 25 First Semester Commencement Ceremony is held
October 2
Second Semester Matriculation Ceremony is held
October 4
Fall Quarter begins, in-person classes are resumed incertain courses
October 5
Guidance Level 1.5 (partially restricted)
January 13
Guidance Level 2 (low), total suspension of in-personclassesJanuary 17
Second declaration of state of emergency in Fukuoka
Prefecture

Kyushu University Guidance Level
for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

Setting up of Zoom for Step 4 (before COVID-19 outbreak)April

Nominations of the 2nd term trainees (deadline extended to May, a month longer than planned due to COVID-19)

June-July

Step 1 (selection of trainees) for the 2nd term trainees: Remote interviews of candidates

AugustKick-off meeting and Step 2 for the 2nd term trainees: Vice President of National University of Singapore
Execution of agreement on remote lecturing with UC San Diego

September

Step 2 for the 2nd term trainees: Vice President of UC San Diego
Step 3 for the 1st term trainees: UC San Diego T+L Commons*
Step 3 for the 2nd term trainees: UC San Diego T+L Commons**remote lectures on teaching methodologies for active learning

December-March Step 5 for the 2nd term trainees: SDGs webinar series 4 -intensive and interactive lectures given with UC San Diego cooperation
2021 January

Step 2 for the 1st and 2nd term trainees: Special lectures on DI/BLM given with UC San Diego cooperation
Step 4 for the 1st term trainees: Certification examination (postponed for 2 trainees on maternity leave)

Step 4 (directed study and guidance for international students) was especially affected by the
pandemic. Diﬃculties were seen in communication with overseas mentors and international students’visits to Japan owing to restrictions on Japanese entry into various countries and restrictions on entry/
re-entry to Japan including Japanese nationals. Nevertheless, with the remote research guidance ofoverseas mentors, we were able to complete Step 4 for international students, namely setting a research
theme, carrying out research guidance in English, and writing of international co-authored paper.
It is said that the world has entered the life-style of “new normal” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In
2020, SENTAN-Q trainees had the unexpected opportunity to learn about research and educational
skills suited to this life-style. For example, latest teaching methodologies for active learning focusedon ways to make online classes more exciting, which trainees studied in Step 3, were immediately
applicable to their own classes in the COVID-19 era. In addition, international research projects
carried out remotely under Step 4 can serve as a model for international collaboration in the future.
The COVID-19 situation remains unpredictable. However, as the Japanese proverb “kannannanji wo tama ni su (adversity makes us wiser)” says, the current environment offers trainees aunique opportunity for growth. We hope they will develop greatly as educators and researchers by
overcoming the adversity they face today.

A Trainee’s Perspective(from Kyushu University’s special COVID-19 website)

Many on-campus events were held remotely, and research and educational activities were cut back.
Amidst this situation, the SENTAN-Q program was carried out according to plan. As on-campus
activity was highly restricted during the nomination period for the 2nd term trainees, we were forced
to extend the deadline. Interviews of candidates in Step 1 (selection of trainees) was conducted
remotely using Zoom. Lectures on university governance and diversity and inclusive education (Step2) and teaching methodologies for active learning in English (Step 3) were also given online using
Zoom.
Fortunately, we were able to carry out the aforementioned program smoothly thanks to the fact thatan online communication system had already been created in preparation for web-conferences withoverseas mentors, which were planned for Step 4 (directed study and guidance for international
students). UC San Diego, one of the Program’s model schools abroad, gave us extensive support on
the provision of remote lectures. Their assistance was a major factor for the success of the Programin 2020.

8

Program Related Activities Carried Out amidst COVID-19 (AFY2020)

Nawo Eguchi, the 1st term trainee(Assistant Professor, ResearchInstitute for Applied Mechanics)

It goes without saying that the devastating pandemic has affected the work and study of all of us trainees. In
my case, I had already created an environment for working remotely even before the pandemic, so I was able totransition fairly smoothly into teleworking mode. Our day care closed in April, requiring my husband and I to taketurns looking after the children with the help of a babysitter. This naturally required some creative thinking topursue our professional activities. I tried to reduce the stress of not being able to spend enough time on work byprioritizing my tasks and telling myself that now is the time to be with my family more. I also tried to keep in touchwith my students and research partners as much as possible. Because of this, I now feel as if the world were a muchsmaller place (as long as I don’t think about time differences).
In Step 4, I held web-conferences regularly with my overseas mentor and international students and conducted
research so as to address issues in a timely manner. Classes for Step 3 (Teaching methodologies for active learning),
which were held online in September, helped me greatly when I myself gave remote lectures in the second
semester. The two courses in Step 5 (Up-to-date field-specific recurrent training) were carried out almost entirely
online. At first, I was prepared to commute to the Ito Campus regularly, but it turned out that I could attend lectures
at home. I regret to say that Overseas training in Step 6 now looks unlikely. I hope to go one day for a long-term
stay, and meanwhile I will pursue my studies online. I will continue to engage actively in the Program with theintention of producing solid results whatever the situation.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

9

3

Topic
2. My Involvement with Kyushu University
SENTAN-Q Program in 2020
Miwako Waga, Director of International Outreach, UC San Diego
Will you summarize the year 2020 from the perspective ofcollaboration with Kyushu University?
Dr. Tamada and I started exchanging ideas about international training sessions to advance gender
equity in the second half of 2019, and she visited the UC San Diego campus in November 2019. I was
invited to attend the Kick-Oﬀ Meeting in Kyushu in January 2020. There, I conveyed Vice Chancellor
Sandra Brown’s video message and met with Kyushu University leadership as well as the SENTAN-Q
program trainees and coordinators. In retrospect, my visit to Kyushu was instrumental in promoting thecollaborative relationship later in the year.
In the US, the tension regarding the COVID-19 contagion suddenly rose to a new height in March. The
California governor issued the shelter-in-place order ahead of other states, and as a result, most of thefaculty and staﬀ at US San Diego had to shift to working from home right away in a great confusion. As
the director of international outreach, I had to analyze the global situation and think hard how I should do
my job under the restricted travel circumstances. I concluded that it was time for me to think outside thebox and make even more creative or unconventional proposals to my overseas partners.
Kyushu University coordinators originally planned to invite speakers from abroad to give in-person
lectures to the SENTAN-Q trainees. It was this change in thinking that allowed me to propose novel
online programming which would replace in-person lectures. One may now regard the transition toonline as a logical and inevitable option, but at that time the future was so uncertain that we had to ﬁgureout many things little by little to move forward.
An unexpected outcome from our interactions for the SENTAN-Q training was the development of aseries of joint webinars, where speakers from both institutions would be invited to present their researchon topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We co-hosted four such joint webinars
between December 2020 and March 2021. We hope the joint webinars will encourage more interactions,either face-to-face or virtual, between researchers in Kyushu and San Diego in the future.

UC San Diego provided STEP3 (Active Learning) training sessions to the first and second cohortsof trainees in 2020. What was the background that made it possible?

10

UC San Diego also provided STEP2 (University Governance and Diversity) training sessions tothe second cohort of trainees. What was the background that made it possible?
For the University Governance part, I invited VC Brown to give an online lecture to the trainees in
September 2020. Since I work in the Oﬃce of Research Aﬀairs led by VC Brown, and Dr. Tamada met
her in November 2019, it was not diﬃcult to reach out to her and ask for a lecture, but scheduling thesession required a careful coordination because she was dealing with the daunting task of continuingresearch on campus.
As Vice Chancellor for Research, Dr. Brown’s priority is to maintain the productivity of researchers while
also ensuring that the research programs and everyone who works in them remain safe and safety inaccordance with the State and County COVID-19 response guidelines. UC San Diego is a major researchenterprise with annual research funding exceeding $1.4 billion. Research continuity is a matter of highest
priority. Despite this heavy responsibility, Dr. Brown thought of the SENTAN-Q program so highly that
she readily accepted the invitation to give the virtual lecture to the trainees. We were very grateful.
For the Diversity part, I reached out to Vice Chancellor Becky Petitt and Assistant Vice Chancellor Diane
Forbes Berthoud of the Oﬃce for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. AVC Forbes Berthoud knew about
the program since she met with Dr. Tamada in November 2019, but again we needed to spend time toschedule the session.
In 2020, America was experiencing an extremely tense social situation caused, to begin with, by theunprecedented global health crisis, and then by strong protest to anti-Blackness, followed by a state ofturmoil accelerated by the sharp political division during presidential campaigns toward the November
election. Racism-triggered social instability would impact not only student but also faculty and staﬀ’s
well-being. VC Petitt and her colleagues implemented in August the Chancellor’s 21-Day Anti-Racism
Challenge program to “assist everyone in furthering their awareness, compassion, understanding, andengagement towards anti-racism, with a focus on anti-Blackness and the experience of Black people
in America” using an abundance of materials including readings, videos, and podcasts. Against thisbackground, Dr. Tamada and I had to think hard to decide on the content and timing of the training
session on diversity and inclusion that we wanted them to deliver to the trainees in Japan. The program
coordinators and myself were delighted when they were finally able to give the diversity session in
January 2021.

What impressed you the most during the past year in your involvement with the SENTAN-Q
program?

As I mentioned before, we experienced a sudden, forced shift to work-from-home and online lecturingin mid-March at UC San Diego. The Teaching + Learning Commons (Commons), which had assisted
faculty and students in active learning and digital learning for some time, found themselves barraged
by requests to help shift to effective remote lecturing. Around this time, I read reports in Japanese
media that higher education was disrupted and college students were having a tough time attending
virtual classes in Japan. It occurred to me that it might help our partners in Japan if we could share theCommons’ experiences in the use of digital technology and remote teaching and learning. This is how I
started reaching out to the parties concerned.

Although considered a temporary measure during the pandemic, the online format has turned out to beeffective in promoting international collaborations. International collaboration typically assumes thatparticipants from both institutions can visit each other from time to time, but international travel requires
time and physical commitment. In contrast, I have found that even busy investigators are more likely to
accept invitations to speak at virtual events. I want to continue to use the online format in international
collaboration building even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

It was fortunate that Dr. Carolyn Sandoval, associate director of the Commons, immediately understoodthe challenges facing university professors in Japan and introduced two education specialists (Dr. Leah
Klement and Paul Hadjipieris) in the Engaged Teaching Hub at the Commons to take on the project.
However, since they were also buried in assisting faculty at UC San Diego, we needed to make plans
carefully and schedule the sessions prudently to make sure that the sessions would be effective totrainees without adding too much burden on Leah and Paul’s work schedules. It was highly beneﬁcialthat they customized the sessions to tailor to the need of trainees.

Also, I was very grateful to the senior administrators and esteemed colleagues at UC San Diego who
cooperated with me to assist the SENTAN-Q program despite they had been under enormous pressure
for so many months. They appreciated the goals of the SENTAN-Q program, and the global scale ofthis health crisis served as a stark reminder that now more than ever international collaborations were ofparamount importance. My experience in the past year has also constantly reminded me of the phrase:“A friend in need is a friend indeed.” I will keep friendship in mind as the foundation of long-lasting
academic partnership as I continue my job as the international outreach director.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

11

3

Topic
3. UC San Diego’s Initiatives to Encourage Women’s Active
Participation and Promote Gender Equity in Research
The reversal of gender gaps in the number and amount oflarge research grants
UC San Diego has increased its presence in research funding as the highest research university. The
amount of research grants awarded to UC San Diego exceed $1.3 billion in FY 2019.
An analysis has shown the remarkable increase in the number and amount of large research grants
headed by women principal investigators. In FY 2013, women were the principal investigators of six
research grants totaling $24 million among the top 40 research grants. In FY 2017, after the steadyincrease, the number of research grants headed by women principal investigators has risen to 18
with $89 million, compared to those of male principal investigators (22 with $72 million). This has
shown the reversal of gender gaps in the number and amount of large research grants.
Top Awarded Amount (Count of Awards)
by PI Gender

6 6

Attendees of the university’s inaugural Triton Women Who Lead Forum gathered together earlier this year to discuss leadership pathways and strategies.
Photos by Erik Jepsen/University Communications[ UC San Diego HP URL ] https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/uc-san-diego-ranks-second-in-forbes-americas-best-employers-for-women

6 6

9 9

Top Awarded Amount (Obligated Amount)by PI Gender$29.46M$29.46M

1 1

1 1$42.50M$42.50M$24.46M$24.46M

3

3$48.07M$48.07M$227.25M

3
2

2$133.27M$89.10M$89.10M$136.76M$145.17M$72.49M

UC San Diego ranks 2nd in Forbes’ ‘America’s Best
Employers for Women’
Women currently occupy 63% of all senior leadership roles at UC San Diego. In 2012, there were
only three women on the chancellor’s cabinet and today there are 10, comprising more than half ofthe cabinet. In the same time frame, the number of women in management roles increased from 424
to 822, nearly doubling the number of women in management and senior professional positions.
Furthermore, half of all deans and four out of seven college provosts at UC San Diego are women.
Since 2014, the number of women ladder ranked faculty and teaching professors at UC San Diego
have increased by 37%.

[ UC San Diego HP URL ] https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/a-steady-increase-in-women-leading-the-biggest-research-grants

Prof. Christina Chambers, who heads four of top 10 research grants in Health Sciences said: “It’s
not so much a single investigator doing incremental science in the lab. It’s people working in aconsortium with multiple sites who need to work together in a collaborative way. I have lots of malecolleagues who work really well in groups, but this is a natural strength that women possess that I
think lends itself well to this funding environment.”

While research project becomes larger in consideration to social implementation, it can be concluded
that the situation is being increased in which women researchers can demonstrate their ability.

These remarkable achievements have put UC San Diego ahead of other universities in the US. In
2020, UC San Diego ranks 2nd among higher education institutions in Forbes’ third annual rankingof ‘America’s Best Employers for Women’.

12

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

13

3

Topic
4. Kyushu University-UC San Diego Joint Webinar Series:
SDGs THINK & ACT Together
The third webinar was held on February 17, 2021 under the topic of “Resources”. Opening remarks
were made by Miroslav Krstic, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Research, UC San Diego. During
the program, discussions were made among Prof. Keiko Sasaki, Department of Earth Resource
Engineering, Kyushu University, Assist. Prof. Zheng Chen, Department of Nano Engineering, UC San
Diego and other young researchers about solar light driven chemical conversion and mineral andmaterials recycling.

Kyushu University and UC San Diego co-organized the series of Joint Webinar “SDGs THINK & ACT
Together” supported by SHARE-Q as supplementary project for FY 2020.
The ﬁrst webinar was held on December 10, 2020 under the topic of “Vision & Clean Energy”. At
the beginning, President Ishibashi of Kyushu University made the opening remarks to express
his gratitude for the presence of attendees. Then presentations were delivered by Dean Albert P.
Pisano, Jacobs School of Engineering, UC San Diego, Prof. Shirley Meng, Director of Institute forMaterials Discovery and Design (IMDD), UC San Diego, Prof. Akari Hayashi, Platform of Inter- /Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT), Kyushu University and Assoc. Prof. Shigenori Fujikawa,International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I 2CNER), Kyushu University. Afterthe presentations, participants had active discussion toward the international industry-academia
collaboration.

The last webinar was held on March 9, 2021 under the topic of “Climate Change”. Participants
exchanged their views on the latest research achievements after the introduction of ResearchInstitute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM) of Kyushu University and Scripps Institution of Oceanographyof UC San Diego. Also Assist. Prof. Kaori Sato (RIAM), who currently participates in SENTAN-Q as
the 2nd term trainee made the presentation during the program.
All webinars were concluded with great success attended by many faculty members who areinterested in international joint collaboration and students who wish to study abroad, including
people outside the university. Through the social networking achieved by SENTAN-Q program,international joint research and industry-academia collaboration related to SDGs are expected tostart between both two institutions.

The second webinar was held on January 26, 2021 under the topic of “Innovation &Entrepreneurism”. Opening remarks were made by Kazunari Sasaki, Senior Vice-President of Kyushu
University. After the opening remarks, presentations were delivered by Prof. Megumi Takata, Director
General of Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center (Q-REC) of Kyushu University and Prof. Dennis
Abremski, Executive Director of Institute for the Global Entrepreneur, UC San Diego to give theoverview of both Q-REC and IGE. Then startup pitches were made by students from both Kyushu
University and UC San Diego.

International Collaboration in the Era of COVID-19
  

International Collaboration in the Era of COVID-19

  ＆ 
  







     Opening Remarks: Tatsuro Ishibashi, President, Kyushu University
Albert P. Pisano, Dean, Jacobs School of Engineering, UC San Diego
Shirley Meng, Professor in NanoEngineering and Director,
Institute for Materials Discovery and Design (IMDD), UC San Diego

10:15-10:30

Akari Hayashi, Professor, Platform of Inter- / Transdisciplinary Energy
Research (Q-PIT), Kyushu University

10:30-10:40

MinCheol Kim, Postdoctoral Fellow, Jacobs School of Engineering, UC San Diego

10:40-10:50

Shigenori Fujikawa, Associate Professor, International Institute for2

Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I CNER), Kyushu University
10:50-11:00

Q&A and Discussion
https://danjyo.kyushu-u.ac.jp/form_en/

14  ＆ 
        

Agenda– Jacobs School Vision and SDGs-Related Research –10:00-10:15

International Collaboration in the Era of COVID-19

    
    

Agenda9:35--10:00

  

       
9:30--9:35

The Joint Webinar Series were added to STEP5 to substitute the overseas training of SENTAN-Q,
which had been suspended or postponed due the global pandemic of COVID-19.

Registrationpage

9 : 3 0 - Opening Remarks: Kazunari Sasaki, SVP, Kyushu University
9:35- Megumi Takata, VP and Director General,
Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center of Kyushu University– QREC Overview
9:55- Dennis Abremski, Executive Director,
Institute for the Global Entrepreneur, UC San Diego– IGE Overview
10:20- 2-3 Kyushu University startup pitches
10:35- 2-3 UC San Diego startup pitches
10:50- Discussion toward collaborations
https://danjyo.kyushu-u.ac.jp/form_en/

Registrationpage  

International Collaboration in the Era of COVID-19

  ＆ 
  







  

 ＆ 
           

AgendaAgenda9:30-9:40

https://danjyo.kyushu-u.ac.jp/form_en/       
    

9:30-9:40

Opening Remarks, Miroslav Krstic, Senior Associate Vice
Chancellor of Research, UC San Diego
9:40-10:00 Keiko Sasaki, Professor, Department of Earth Resources
Engineering, Kyushu University
10:00-10:20 Zheng Chen, Assistant Professor, Department of Nano Engineering,
UC San Diego
10:20-10:30 Q&A and Discussion
10:30-10:40 Chitiphon Chuaicham, Project Assistant Professor,
Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University
10:40-10:50 Hongpeng Gao, PhD student, Department of Nano Engineering,
UC San Diego
10:50-11:00 Discussion toward collaborations 

Opening Remarks, Margaret Leinen, Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences &Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

9:40-10:00 Toshihiko Takemura, Distinguished Professor, Research Institute forApplied Mechanics (RIAM) , Kyushu University
10:00-10:20 Katharine Ricke, Assistant Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
UC San Diego
10:20-10:30 Q&A and Discussion
10:30-10:40 Kaori Sato, Assistant Professor, RIAM, Kyushu University
Registrationpage

10:40-10:50 Pascal Polonik, Doctoral Student, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
UC San Diego

Registrationpage

10:50-11:00 Discussion toward collaborations
https://danjyo.kyushu-u.ac.jp/form_en/

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202015

4

Profiles of Trainees

Second term Trainees
No.1

No.3

ALBRECHT Ken Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Division of Integrated Materials,
Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering
Organic Electronics, Polymer Chemistry,
Materials Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry

So far, I have learned about university governance or other measures that we do nothave so many opportunities to learn at Japanese universities. This will definitely help myfuture career as a researcher. In addition, it will be a good opportunity for me to build aninternational network and work together towards collaborations through the SENTAN-Q
program. I think the SENTAN-Q is well designed and useful to improve my educational
skills. So that is why I have applied for this program.
Since I have my roots in Europe, I would like to be a bridge between Japan or other Asian
countries and Europe in the future. Also, I would like to become a world top-class scientist
and perform more international collaborations.

No.2

Research Field

Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development,
Faculty of Dental Science
Dental Public Health

My research fucuses on exploring the population-based approach for preventing oraldisease in the promotion of oral health. I should proceed my research from the international
perspective to find a new approach for preventing oral disease. By the SENTAN-Q program,
it is possible to incorporate new knowledge from many different fields. Also, I want toimprove my research and educational skills by the SENTAN-Q program.
Now I feel that diversity and inclusion are important for the development of university andsociety. By collaborating with people with diverse backgrounds, we can create new ideas
and uniquely solve the problems which we are currently facing. Through the SENTAN-Q
program, I would like to create the diverse and inclusive environment.

16

Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Content and Creative Design,
Faculty of Design
Applied Linguistics

I have been lecturing and supervising students including international students for years.
This experience made me realize the importance of understanding for diversity. I thought
SENTAN-Q program was a great chance to deepen my understanding. I am now taking the
program as a trainee. The contents have many hands-on activities and they are also quite
enjoyable. I am already feeling that they are useful to improve my supervision and teaching.
The SENTAN-Q lectures has opened-up my eyes and I believe that its outcome will be myasset. Now I would like to be a mentor for young female students and faculty in the future.

No.4

FURUTA Michiko Lecturer
Affiliation

FUYUNO Miharu Assistant Professor

MAEKAWA Hiromi Lecturer
Affiliation
Research Field

Center for Promotion of International Education andResearch, Faculty of Agriculture
Molecular Cell Biology, Yeast Genetics

The reason for participating in SENTAN-Q program is its unique contents. Through theprogram, we can learn about the various aspects of a university such as its governance,
diversity of the research environment and effective teaching methodologies in English.
Unfortunately, I have not met other trainees in person due to the outbreak of COVID-19,
but I think interacting with other researchers from different research backgrounds are reallygreat opportunity for all of us. So, I would like to maintain the connection with other trainees
and overseas mentors.
By taking the lectures of SENTAN-Q program, I can extend my research subject and bringit up to the new stage. I would like to make the most of this program and adopt what I havelearned into the education in classroom to guide younger students in the laboratory.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202017

4

Profiles of Trainees

Second term Trainees
No.5

No.7

MARUYAMA-NAKASHITA Akiko

Associate Professor

Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Agriculture
Plant Science, Plant Nutrition

Since I have had no experience of conducting research at overseas university, I thought the
SENTAN-Q program will provide me with practical opportunities to improve my international
research and educational skills under the mentoring of the world top-class mentors. Also,
we can further increase our knowledge about the university governance, diversity, andinclusion which are quite important for the development of our university.
Through the SENTAN-Q program, I would like to become more active in my research field
and motivate younger generations to lead the world top-class research.

No.6

Research Field

Department of Language and Literature,
Faculty of Humanities
Linguistics, Cognitive Neuroscience

I applied to the SENTAN-Q program because I would like to develop my ability to teachstudents with diverse academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as tooffer better educational opportunities for my students. As a principal investigator at Kyushu
University, I have been supervising undergraduate and graduate students, who havediverse backgrounds, and trying my best to develop their research skills. Understanding the
educational needs of each student has been one of my challenges in my teaching. Throughthis program, I would like to learn more about effective and practical teaching methodologies.
As a teacher, I want to produce the next generation of researchers in our field. To achieve thisgoal, I actively seek opportunities to expand my knowledge on diversity. I strongly believe
diversity, equity, and inclusion in the laboratory are the most important things to advanceinterdisciplinary research, including the neuroscience of language. Expanding my knowledge on
diversity and enhancing the quality of teaching is the key to better research and education.

18

Affiliation
Research Field

Division of Earth Environment Dynamics,
Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM)
Atmospheric Physics, Spaceborne Active Remote Sensing,
OpticsThe SENTAN-Q program is a well-designed unique program. Interaction with professionals
and pioneers in different fields facilitates our thinking to build our own strategy to deal with
grand challenges.
Climate research is complicatedly related to issues in other fields and needs to be viewed
within a broader context. The SENTAN-Q program will play an ideal role in this endeavor,
creating diverse and effective international partnerships that we also lead to a better designfor future space missions.

No.8

OHTA Shinri Lecturer
Affiliation

SATO Kaori Assistant Professor

TANAKA Manabu Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering, Plasma Chemistry, Plasma Physics,
Nanomaterial Science

The main purpose of my research is to understand fundamental phenomena in hightemperature plasmas, namely thermal plasmas. Second purpose is to utilize thermal
plasmas in various kinds of industrial application fields.
Through the SENTAN-Q program, I would like to improve my international research andeducational skills as well as gaining the better understanding of university governanceand management. As regards of my research fields, I think that thermal plasma caneffectively solve many international issues such as environment problems, so I would liketo collaborate with overseas researchers and work together to establish the international
plasma laboratory in the future.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

19

4

Profiles of Trainees

Second term Trainees
No.9

No.1

THOMAS Diego Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Advanced Information Technology,
Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering
Computer Vision

I think SENTAN-Q is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other faculties in the
different research fields and to open my mind. I think that we can get new innovativeideas by thinking about our research from another viewpoint. Also, we can apply teaching
methodologies of active learning into our own lectures to increase the interest of younger
students.
My future goal is to become a worldwide leader in the 3D vision community. In particular,
I want to bring new innovative ideas that will bridge cutting edge technology in computer
vision and computer graphics. As a French researcher living in Japan, I am also eager tocreate new connections with researchers all around the world, especially with researchers
in France.

No.10

Research Field

Assistant Professor

Department of Informatics, Faculty of Information
Science and Electrical Engineering
Computer Science and Economics

It is important for university researchers to have a global perspective. I believe that the
SENTAN-Q program will enhance my international research and educational skills bytaking the lectures offered by world top-class researchers including the Vice President or
Chancellors.
As regards my future goal, I would like to become an independent and world top-classresearcher in my research field. Through the SENTAN-Q program, I think I can further
deepen my knowledge and learn about the effective way of nurturing younger generations.
This will be the basis of my future activities in the international community.

20

BANDO Mai Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
Faculty of Engineering
Orbital Mechanics and Control of Spacecraft

My research field is the trajectory design of spacecraft to find the optimal trajectories ofspacecraft, taking into account gravity from celestial bodies and various physical andengineering constraints.
Recently, I have opportunities to teach in English. However, the educational process tends
to be one-way communication, which makes it difficult to improve my educational skills.
Through the SENTAN-Q program, I would like to learn effective teaching methods in English
and improve my educational skills.

No.2

TODO Taiki
Affiliation

First term Trainees

EGUCHI Nawo Assistant Professor
Affiliation

Center for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research,
Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM)

Research Field

Atmospheric Sciences: Satellite Remote Sensing,
Climate Change

I really enjoy the SENTAN-Q program. Taking the lectures by world top-class lecturers,
I have had much new knowledge and thoughts of the views from a different side. For
example, I learned that the work of the organization and consideration that supports theindividual from Step 2. I also learned the environmental policy and satellite engineering from
Step 5. I think both topics are useful for the development of my research.
Through the SENTAN-Q program, I would like to contribute to society by developing myresearch and this experience would promote me the higher rank to serve as a role model ofthe younger female researchers.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202021

4

Profiles of Trainees

First term Trainees
No.3

No.5

MASUO Chisako T. Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Social Studies, Faculty of Social andCultural Studies
Chinese Studies (Foreign Policy and Politics),
International Relations in East Asia

In the SENTAN-Q program, we are requested to go abroad and conduct research underthe mentor of international researchers. I believe it would be a wonderful chance for me
to internationalize my research activities and educational capability to conduct lectures inEnglish.
As regards to my research, I’ve been studying Chinese foreign policy especially on China’s
relationship with its neighbor countries. I had been particularly interested in the maritime
disputes between China and other maritime neighbors. So far, my research activities have
paid more attention to Asian international relations. By taking this wonderful chance given
by SENTAN-Q, I will also expand my research scope to Europe, New Zealand, Australia orother countries.

NAKAMURA Mako Associate Professor
Affiliation

Center for Promotion of International Education andResearch, Faculty of Agriculture

Research Field

Muscle Biology, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology

I applied for the SENTAN-Q program because I was quite interested in the contents. It
has been a year since I joined, and I have really enjoying taking the seminars and worked
with the student and my mentor. In addition, the program gave me the opportunity to meetthe other trainees from different departments who really motivated and inspired me. Also,
this SENTAN-Q program was mainly managed by the female professors and they always
support and encourage me. I would like to keep the network with international mentors andother trainees.
As regards my future goals, I would like to encourage young female students to become
PhD holders and be attractive in world top-class research. I really like the job as a faculty
member at university and give the highest priority to educating the next generation of
students.

No.4

NAGATSU Yuichiro Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Communication Design Science,
Faculty of Design
Arts Management, Arts and Social Inclusion

My research topic is cultural policy and art management, especially in the performing
arts such as music, theater plays and dance. So far, I have specialized my research on
artistic activities that lead to social inclusion with a focus on arts activities of people withdisabilities.
Since I usually work on a different campus which is apart from the university main
campus, there are a few opportunities to meet professors from different departments. By
participating in the SENTAN-Q program, I can interact with other trainees from different
research fields which is very attractive for me. I hope this connection will lead to the joint
research collaboration in the future. Also, I think this program will improve my international
research and educational skills by taking the overseas training.

22

No.6

NOMURA Hisako Lecturer
Affiliation

Center for Promotion of International Education andResearch, Faculty of Agriculture

Research Field

Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Resource Economics,
Environmental Economics

I have conducted my research using randomized field experiments in the areas ofagriculture, environment and energy in Japan, as well as other countries in Southeast Asia.
In the School of Agriculture, the undergraduate student gender ratio is about 50/50;
however, by the time they have reached the PhD level, the proportion of female students
has dropped markedly. I hope to encourage young female researchers and send themessage that they can have a lifelong career as a professional researcher and academic.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202023

4

Profiles of Trainees

First term Trainees
No.7

No.9

SASSA Fumihiro Assistant Professor
Affiliation

Department of Electronics, Faculty of Information
Science and Electrical Engineering

Affiliation

Research Field

MEMS, Microﬂuidic Device, Sensor Robot, Bio sensor,
Chemical sensor

Research Field

The reason for participating in SENTAN-Q is that this training program is designed for
promoting PI, which is very attractive to me. Since the training course includes teaching at
an overseas university, I think it could also help me build a new research network.
My future goal is to make a creature like an electronical device machine. This device canrepair itself if it is broken. My ultimate goal is to develop a machine which can repair, growand produce itself like the creature.

No.8

OISHI-TOMIYASU Ryoko

Associate Professor

Affiliation
Research Field

Division for Intelligent Societal Implementation of
Mathematical Computation, Institute of Mathematics
for Industry (IMI)
Applied Algebra, Number Theory,
Mathematical crystallography

The SENTAN-Q program started in 2019. As one of the first trainees, there are lot of things
which I have to decide myself and search for ways. I think this is a good experience for allof us.
During the two years of the program, I would like to improve my presentation skills so thateven non-mathematicians can think that the application of mathematics is interesting,useful and attractive research topic. Another goal is to improve my educational skills. Also,
I would like to establish a new frontier of applied algebra and number theory. And the targetof the application is of course crystallography, which has been the source of my creativity inmathematics, and optimization, which has been always the link between mathematics andthe real world.

24

WAKABAYASHI Rie Assistant Professor
Department of Applied Chemistry,
Faculty of Engineering
Supramolecular Chemistry

I applied for this SENTAN-Q program because I wanted to improve my educational skills.
This program offers a great opportunity for us to learn advanced education from top-level
instructors. I’m really enjoying all the lectures that I have taken. I am very impressed that the
instructors of overseas top-level institutions are all openminded and great educators. Also,
I feel that the contents of the SENTAN-Q program are well-organized by the coordinators of
Kyushu University.
Through the SENTAN-Q program, I would like to widen my professional research areas
to become a global researcher and become a role model of young female students andresearchers. Also, I’d like to become an educator with an open mind, who can provide goodenvironments for students from different backgrounds and cultures so they can encourage
each other.

No.10

YAMAUCHI Yukiko Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Informatics, Faculty of Information
Science and Electrical Engineering
Distributed Algorithm, Mathematical Informatics

My research topic is distributed computing theory, which is a theory for computation by
integrating small local computations. My goal is to establish a new research field for future
information systems collectively formed by IoT, sensor networks, drones, future mobility,
and so on.
The reason for participating in SENTAN-Q program is to improve my research andeducational skills as well as obtaining international skills for scientific communication. The
program is well organized by setting clear-defined goals and objectives. It will enhance myresearch activity in the international academic field and my education activity with future
generation.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202025

5

Appendix

Outlook

6

Guideline for Third term Trainees

Plan for the FY 2021 term (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021)
In FY 2021, the 1st term trainees will have completed STEP5 and STEP6 except those who havebeen permitted the extension of training periods due to the maternity leave. STEP6 can be replacedwith online lecture and research guidance using Zoom in case of travel restriction barring overseas
travel from Japan.
The 2nd term trainees will continue STEP4 and STEP5 in FY 2021. They will proceed to STEP6 in

MEXT Support Program for the Development of Human Resourcesin Science and Technology“Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment”

August after being certiﬁed that they have successfully completed STEP4.
The nomination process for the 3rd term trainees will begin from March 2021. After the selection, the
3rd term trainees will start their program from August.

1st Trainees
STEP5
Up-to-date ﬁeld-speciﬁcrecurrent training

STEP6
Final examination
Overseas training more than
8 weeks*The 1st term trainees will
start STEP6 from January2021.
**It can be conducted online
in case of travel restriction
being in place due to
COVID-19.

2 nd Trainees
STEP4
Directed study and guidanceof international students

STEP5
Up-to-date ﬁeld-speciﬁcrecurrent training

STEP6
Final examination
Overseas training more than
8 weeks*The 2nd term trainees will
start STEP6 from August
2021.

Diversity and Super Global
Training Programfor Female and Young Faculty（SENTAN-Q)

3 rd Trainees
March to May:
Application for the nomination ofcandidates
June:
Screening process by application
documents
July:
Interview
Early July:
Final selection of the 3rd term trainees

Start the program of
SENTAN-Q
August to March: STEP2
September to March: STEP3
August: STEP4 and STEP5

Guideline for ３rd Term Trainees（Mar. 15, 2021）
1

Objective of this program

SENTAN-Q expected effects

The full six-year term of SENTAN-Q should yield the following outcomes:n This program is made for outstanding female and young faculty members inKyushu University to be a worldʼs top-class, competitive researchers through the
cutting edge diversity and global educations.

The hiring-training-deployment-promotion cycle will raise both the quality andquantity of female faculty and young faculty.
It will make the university a more diverse and inclusive organization, reducing
unconscious/hidden biases that could hold back women and juniors recruited tosenior positions.

n Trainees in this program are selected through highly transparent screening
process from candidates recommended by each departments. In principle, thetrainees will take a 2 year diversity & global training course. When the trainees
reach the targeted learning level, certificates will be given and one-levelpromotions will be granted within 1 year.

Advanced research, for example digital integration (AI, IoT) will open up new
potential for academic-industry partnerships and startups (raising the investment
value of academic research).

n Through the course study, the trainees can acquire research and educational skills
that meet the highest global standards, and a wide knowledge required for asenior or management researchers. Furthermore, formation of on-campus
network that goes beyond the boundaries of male and female crossing different
research fields are expected (the elimination of unconscious bias)

The project will serve as a best practice model (follow-ups on trainees’
accomplishments will be conducted among the former trainees and thequantitative outcomes published).
The university will attract more international students and non-Japanese faculty,
boosting its international reputation.
Female students will be inspired by the prominent, visible roles played by theformer trainees.

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Guideline for Third term Trainees

Details of this program(2/6)

Contents of this program

STEP2 University governance, diversity and inclusive
education (on campus)n This program consists of STEP1 to STEP6
STEP1 Selection of trainees
STEP2 University governance, diversity and inclusive education (on campus)
STEP3 Teaching methodology for active learning in English (on campus)
STEP4 Directed study and guidance of international students (on campus)
STEP5 Up-to-date field-specific reccurent training(on campus)
STEP6 Final Examination: Teaching and directed study（overseas）

Objective Learn about the importance of university governance, diversity andinclusion. Lecturers are invited from the world's top-class universities (mandatory
course)Diversity and inclusiven Period: 1-2days intensive lectures in the first yearn Place: ITO campus in Kyushu University (In some cases, it can be conducted online)n Learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion in university and society, and learn
about various innovation cases born from these concepts.
n Lecturers are an expert invited from overseasn Period︓2 years for each trainee
but can be extended depending on the life eventn The trainees who complete the course receive a “certification” from thepresident and are granted a tenured position or a one-level promotion.

University governance

n Program continues from 2019 to 2024 (1st to 6 th trainees), but the continuation
after 2024 is still open. The program is expected to promote about 50 trainees.

3n Period: 1-2days intensive lectures in the first yearn Place: ITO campus in Kyushu University (In some cases, it can be conducted online)n Learn about a vision of what a university should be from a long-term perspective, also
university management.
n University vice president (provost) or former vice president (provost) class of lecturers
invited from the world's top-class universities (overseas).

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Details of this program(1/6)

Details of this program(3/6)

STEP1 Selection of trainees (on campus)

STEP3 Teaching methodology for active learning in English(on campus)

Trainees in this program are selected through highly transparent screening process fromcandidates recommended by each departments.

Objective Learn about the latest teaching methodologies for active learning fromlecturers invited from the world's top-class universities (mandatory course)n Qualified applicants: Female faculty, or male faculty of 37 years old or younger atthe end of FY (associate professor, lecturer and assistant professor)(1) Tenured faculty (2) Untenured faculty but scheduled for a tenure review
n Application period: March 1 to May 10
n Interview Date: Early July, Location: Kyushu Univ. Ito Campus
n Selection criteria(1) Sufficient research achievements (2) Have a positive attitude to learning about
new issues surrounding universities and society (3) Be motivated to improve global
research and educational skills including overseas training
n Judging Committee: President and board members of Kyushu University, professors
emeritus in Institute for Advanced Study and external experts (total ~10 members)n Language: English and Japanese
An unconscious bias check sheet should be provided to the judges before review
n Number of applicants (planned): 5-10 people / year
male : female = 1:1, humanities : science = 1:1 in principlen Result announcement︓Early July in 2021
n Training course start : August 1 in 2021

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n Period: 2-3 days of intensive lectures in the first yearn Place: ITO campus in Kyushu University (In some cases, it can be conducted
online)n Classes are conducted in English. Participatory, interactive lessons
n Lecturers are an expert invited from the world's top-class universities (overseas).

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Guideline for Third term Trainees

Details of this program(4/6)

Details of this program(6/6)

STEP4 Directed study and guidance of international students(on campus)

STEP6 Final Examination: Teaching and directed study（overseas）

Objective Learn how to conduct research guidance in English for international
students while receiving guidance from a worldʼs top-class senior researcher as anoversea mentor

Objective Overseas training as the final examination of SENTAN-Q. It determines
whether the trainees have acquired research and educational skills that meet thehighest global standards.

n Period: 1 year starting from August, 2021
n Place: Traineesʼ laboratoryn Setting research theme, Conducting research guidance in English and writing
international co-authored paper etc. against international students (maximum 2)
with an oversea mentor
n An overseas mentor should be a university researcher who meets the requirementsof the world's top̶class level university (Progress 100).
n Selection of international students and mentor should be done by a trainee inprinciple.
n Web conferencing system is available for oversea communicationsn Period: 1 year starting from August, 2022
n Place︓Overseas partner university (or another worldʼs top-class universities)n Only trainees who have completed the STEP1 to STEP4 programs can participate
in STEP6n Conduct lectures at overseas university in English. If it is difficult to conduct
regular classes, it can be replaced with tutorial lectures at multiple universities.
n Student research guidance in English at overseas with an oversea mentor. In
principle, as in STEP4, writing of one international co-authored papers is
required.
n Visiting universities and an oversea mentor should be selected by a trainee inprinciple.

79Details of this program(5/6)

Evaluation of trainees achievement

STEP5 Up-to-date field-specific recurrent training (on campus)

STEP2, STEP3 , STEP5

Objective Select your extraprofessional field from the top priority issue at Kyushu
University, such as the latest data science (AI or IoT), SDGs, etc. and receive recurrent
training to broaden the scientific view. It will be helpful to remain highly active after
promotion through the establishment of interdisciplinary field, research centers, andbudget request.

n Quantitatively evaluation of trainees achievement based on rubric tables should be
conducted by lecturers.
n A self-evaluation by the trainees will also be conducted at the same time, tofeedback on the efficiency of the program for the next year

STEP4, STEP6n Period: Take two or more courses from the lists between August 2021 to July2022.
n Place: Various campuses in Kyushu University
n Faculty from humanities should take science related classes, and vice versa
n Classes are conducted in English. Participatory, interactive lessons
n Select your extraprofessional field. Classes for industry-academia collaborationand entrepreneurship are also available.
n Step5 can be completed after STEP6 oversea training.
n Lectures are conducted in English or Japanese using the active learning method

830n The worldʼs top-class professor as a mentor determines whether the trainee has
acquired internationally valid research and educational skills, in consideration of theachievement of internationally co-authored papers

Final certification of the training (after the completion of twoyears program) is decided by the President after deliberation by
the committee

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Guideline for Third term Trainees

Unconscious bias checklist

Appendix

Diversity and Super Global Training Program for Female and Young Faculty
Unconscious Bias checklist

n This program is designed to empower women and young faculty members by
the direct guidance of world's top-class overseas researchers. The goal is not
simply to increase the number of women and young faculty, rather to makethem to be a competitive and attractive in global research market.
n The ultimate goal is to produce diverse and outstanding female and young
researchers in Kyushu University, who can lead the worldʼs academic research.
n The trainees should understand the purpose of this program and make the bestuse of this training opportunity for their own learning and achievements.

Everyone has unconscious, or hidden, biases, which are picked up inadvertently from theenvironment and become etched into your thinking, influencing your decisions in various
situation. Due to their subtle nature, unconscious biases are hard to completely eradicate. Biases
may cause you to treat someone in a certain way because of their gender, ethnicity, or age. In
organizations, unconscious biases can make individuals from marginalized groups more likely to
be disadvantaged for personnel evaluation such as during recruitment or promotion.
To minimize the effects of unconscious bias, institutions increasingly require examiners toundergo unconscious bias training before they judge candidates’ performances. SENTAN-Q is
no exception. Thus, SENTAN-Q distributes this unconscious bias checklist to each member ofthe selection committee so that they may become aware of their unconscious biases before ascreening.
Please read the following instructions before starting the checklist.

1. Unconscious bias is a phenomenon related to neurology, not personality. You can only
avoid being affected by unconscious biases if you are aware that everyone is affectedby them, including yourself.

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2. Unconscious biases stem from preconceptions and similar attributes. You may be
more vulnerable to the effects of bias when you feel rushed for time, tired, or stressed.
3. Before the start of the screening process, take time to clarify the selection criteria andcheck that each member understands them. A greater awareness of the criteria will
help ensure a fair, unbiased process.
4. Conditions of departments and universities may change with the times. When deciding
whether a candidate is right for the organization in question, consider how they may
contribute to the organization’s future, not just its present.
5. Be aware that past academic evaluations may have been affected by bias.
SENTAN-Q secures the diversity of the selection committee in order to assess diverse candidates.
Please be prepared to listen to and respect the ideas and opinions of members of the committee
from diﬀerent backgrounds and be equally mindful of unconscious biases.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understood and agree to the above policy
and instructions.

Name (please print)

Date

Signature or seal

Please ensure that each member of the selection committee signs the checklist.

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