MEXT Support Program for the Development of Human Resources in Science and Technology
Published
March 2022

Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment

Diversity and Super Global Training Programfor Female and Young Faculty

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

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 2021

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 2021 Report

6

STEP1 Selection of Trainees

6

STEP2

University governance, diversity and inclusive education (oncampus)6

STEP3

Teaching methodologies for active learning in English(on campus)

7

STEP4

Directed study and guidance of international students (oncampus)7

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

7

STEP6 Teaching and directed study (overseas)

7

3 Topic

8

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan of the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign【SENTAN-Q WEBSITE URL】
https://sentan-q.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/

FY 2021 marked the 3rd anniversary of the implementation of “Diversity and Super Global Training
Program for Female and Young Faculty (SENTAN-Q)”. This Annual Report provides the general description of
the program and its objective as well as the program completion reports by the 1st trainees, who successfullycompleted their two years’ program in December, 2021.
We would like to express our gratitude to those concerned who cooperated in publishing this Annual Report.
March, 2022
Shoko Sagara
Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality, Kyushu University

8

4 Report of Graduation Ceremony of 1st trainees 10
5 Program Completion Reports

12

6 Profiles of Trainees

17

Second term trainees

17

Third term trainees

22

7 Outlook28

8 Appendix

29

Guideline for 4th term trainees

29

Unconscious bias Checklist

35

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

1

Greetings■ SENTAN-Q Supervisor■ SENTAN-Q Implementer

President, Kyushu University

Executive Vice President, Secretary General, Kyushu University

Tatsuro Ishibashi

Toshiya Naito

In November 2021, Kyushu University was selected as a DesignatedNational University Corporation by the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). We have designed the “Kyushu
University Vision 2030” initiative upon this MEXT designation as we
aspire to be a “university that drives social change with integrativeknowledge” and contribute to solving social issues and transforming
socio-economic systems.

In Japan, many undertakings are being advanced in various fields in a pursuit of a vibrantsociety supported by diverse human resources― including the expansion of women’s roles.
In November 2021, Kyushu University was selected as a Designated National University
Corporation by MEXT and aspires to thrive as a global hub of education and research. We believe it is essential to create an
infrastructure in which diverse talents can play active roles. Among these strategies, the active recruitment and appointmentof female researchers is especially important for vitalizing research activities through the introduction of a variety ofperspectives and ideas.
To this end, Kyushu University has been strengthening its efforts to promote gender equality, including the establishmentof international recruitment for women-only position openings (KASOKU), the introduction of Dual Career Couples andthe implementation of support programs for balancing research and child-rearing. In July 2019, Kyushu University was
selected for funding under "Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment", MEXT Support Program for theDevelopment 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)" with an aim to identify and nurture outstanding
female and young faculty, who will lead the academic research as the world’s top-class and competitive researchers.
Kyushu University is implementing SENTAN-Q to produce 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 in gaining
momentum as the world’s leading research university.
In 2020, SENTAN-Q welcomed the 1st trainees in January and the 2nd trainees in August. The 3rd trainees were selected inJuly 2021. While the outbreak of COVID-19 has necessitated some adjustments in the initially planned curriculum including
lectures by world’s top-class researchers, we have pursued the program actively, encouraged by the thought that the “newnormal” environment offers us an opportunity to put into practice digitally connected, globally competitive education andresearch. Owing to these activities, SENTAN-Q was given an overall rating of “S” in the mid-term assessment carried out in
December 2021.
We are pleased to note that seven of the 1st trainees completed the program in December 2021 and received certificates
based on their outstanding achievements. The graduation ceremony was held online on February 10, 2022.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to those involved in coordinating with other universities including overseas
universities and establishing systems on campus.

Kyushu University aims to ensure the various and curiosity-driven research which helps the promotion of
cutting-edge research, and to nurture talented students who can lead the future of society. For achieving
this goal, it is vital to ensure the environment where all university members including young, female
and international individuals can demonstrate their ability for self-realization. One of the most important
thing to be considered is to promote the appointment of female researchers, accelerate their promotion tosenior positions and strengthen their leaderships by developing their research skills. To this end, Kyushu
University launched “Diversity and Super Global Training Program for Female and Young Faculty(SENTAN-Q)”, following selection for funding under MEXT’s support program "Initiative for Realizing
Diversity in the Research Environment" in 2019.
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 through training
courses offered by world’s top-class researchers. The program also intends to accelerate the promotionsof successful trainees to high-ranking and management positions and contribute to the university throughbuilding a research and educational environment that will be recognized as truly global.
Each fiscal year, about ten trainees are selected from outstanding female and young faculty through ahighly transparent screening process by the selection committee which members include experts fromoutside the university. Successful trainees who reach the targeted learning level will receive certificates andtenured position or a one level promotion will be given within one year of the completion of the program.
FY 2021 marks the 3rd year of SENTAN-Q program. In July, the 3rd trainees including 4 female
researchers and 7 male researchers were selected. Due to the COVID-19 related travel restrictions, alltrainees including the 1st trainees and the 2nd trainees are devoting themselves to the program making theactive use of online conferencing tools. In December 2021, the 1st trainees successfully completed STEP6
except 3 trainees who have been permitted the extension of training periods due to life events etc. On
February 10th 2022, the graduation ceremony was held online to give certificates to the successful trainees.
SENTAN-Q will run for six years with six generation of trainees. We hope to utilize the program andfurther develop the university to raise its global competitiveness. We appreciate your cooperation andunderstanding.

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

Kaoru Tamada
The third year of SENTAN-Q program is about to end in the continued COVID-19 pandemic.
I feel sorry about the situation that the trainees have to give up the opportunity of overseas
training and switch to online international research collaboration. At the same time, I was
deeply impressed by the trainees, total 31 members from the 1st and 3rd generations, who have continued their efforts
despite such adversity. Thanks to your efforts, we could receive the score "S" in the mid-term assessment this year. This
must be due to the commitment of the overseas lecturers/mentors and Kyudai office as well as strong motivation of the
trainees.
In January, the first-term trainees excluding those who have been extended the program by their life events have successfullycompleted all the course and will be promoted to higher academic position. Congratulations! However, regardless ofthe profession, promotion to a higher position is not a goal in itself but the goal is to realize one's dream by gaining
responsibility and freedom. I hope that the trainees will use what they have learned in the SENTAN-Q program and expand
their fields of activity to the world.
I turned 60 this year, but nowadays our life is long and our learning period will continue. I feel that I can keep my feelings
always fresh by taking the SENTAN-Q training course together with young members. As a program coordinator, I would
like to continue to take on the challenge of running the program. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

3

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 upon their return to Japan. It also funds the program which accelerate thepromotions 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's 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 program. They will take on campus training
from STEP2 to STEP5 then proceed to the final examination as STEP6, which consists of overseas
training for more than 8 weeks (please see the appendix for further details).

Trainees who reach the targeted learning level will receive certificates. A tenured position or a onelevel promotion will also be given. The program lasts two years including the overseas training.
However, we can adjust the duration to accommodate maternity, child-rearing, or nursing care

SENTAN-Q
6 STEPS training
SENTAN-Q

needs. SENTAN-Q will aim to produce 60 trainees through 6 application rounds. Information about

6 steps

On Campus

the program’s progress as well as trainees’ accomplishments are published in Polymorfia (ISSN
2424-1113), the journal of the Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality, Kyushu University. We will

※ 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

STEP 1S 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 4
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

also work with the All Nippon Diversity Network to share our findings and insights across Japan.
SENTAN-Q is being implemented with the cooperation of the entire university, as part ofadministrative reforms centered around "young, women and foreign researchers" as set forthin Kyushu University's Mid-term Objectives and Mid-term Plan and the National University
Administration Reform Facilitation Project etc.
Implementation
SystemSENTAN-Q team

Data 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

Diversity Super Global faculty※One-level promotion within one year of thecompletion of the program※Promotion of 60 trainees (FY2019-2024)

� Final certification

Office for the Promotionof Gender Equality

Overseas Program/More than 8 weeks
STEP 6

President (Program Supervisor)

� 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 2021

5

22021 Report
Due to the COVID-19 related travel restrictions, the program has been conducted online using
Zoom application tool in the same way as FY2020. This year, the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, one of our program model schools gave us the extensive support on online lectures.
STEP2 lectures were given by two Vice-Chancellors of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
from August to September. STEP3 lectures were given by Teaching and Learning Specialist of the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from October to December.

STEP1

Selection of Trainees

The nomination process for the 3rd trainees took place between March 1 (Mon) and May 10 (Mon).
After the screening by CV and interview, 11 trainees were selected. The Kick-Off Meeting was heldon July 26 (Mon). The 3rd trainees started their 2 years training from August.

STEP2

University governance, diversity and inclusive education(on campus)

The 3 rd trainees
Lecture 1
Date: August 24 (Tues) from 8:30 to 10:00（JST）
Lecturer: Prof. Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela
Vice Provost for International Affairs and Global Strategies
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Theme: Higher Education Governance in the United States

Lecture 2
Date: September 17 (Fri) from 8:30 to 10:00（JST）
Lecturer: Prof. Sean Garrick
Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Theme: A vision for equity, diversity and inclusion

STEP3

Teaching methodologies for active learning in English(on campus)

Lecturers: Mr. David Favre
Teaching and Learning Specialist
Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The 3 rd trainees
Lecture 1

Date: October 12 (Tues) from 8:30 to 10:00 (JST)
Theme: Active Learning in Lectures

Lecture 2

Date: November 9 (Tues) from 8:30 to 10:00 (JST)
Theme: 10 minutes Teaching Practice and Feedback

Lecture 3

Date: December 7 (Tues) from 8:30 to 10:00 (JST)
Theme: 10 minutes Teaching Practice and Feedback

STEP4

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 at Kyushu University for thesis
writing. The 2nd trainees made up of 5 females and 5 males, started STEP4 from August 2020 andcompleted in July 2021 after the submission of international co-authored papers. The 3rd trainees
started STEP4 from 2021 for one year.

STEP5

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

After completing STEP3, trainees start STEP5 and select two or more courses from their extraprofessional fields. Some trainees have submitted reports indicating that STEP5 can help themincorporate new knowledge from different research fields and enhance their research activities.
Some of them have also initiated the joint collaborative research with STEP5 lecturer from different
research fields. STEP5 can be completed after STEP6 during the two-years program.

STEP6

Teaching and directed study (overseas)

Overseas training as the final examination of SENTAN-Q. It determines whether the trainees haveacquired research and educational skills that meets the highest global standards. The 1st trainees
started STEP6 from January 2021. Due to the COVID-19 related travel restrictions, some part of
STEP6 training had to be replaced with online lectures and online research guidance at overseas
universities. In December 2021, the 1st trainees successfully completed STEP6 except 3 trainees
who have been permitted the extension of training periods due to life events etc. The 2nd trainees
started STEP6 and will complete in July 2022.

6

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

7

3

Topic
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan of the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Kyushu University (KU) have been promoting intimate
collaborative research and education based on international strategic partnerships, that was started by
the academic exchange agreement on May 26, 2014 and updated via the signing ceremony held at Illinois
campus on August 26, 2019.
UIUC is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana in the state of Illinois, which is well known for
its racially and ethnically diverse population in the US. In 2021, the population of Black or African Americanis 14.6 % and the population of Hispanic or Latino is 17.5 % according to US Census Bureau. Becauseof this local environment, UIUC has been conscious with social injustice including racial and ethnic
discrimination, and actively engaged in the promotion of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) via the Office of
the Vice Chancellor for DEI.
In order to learn the importance of diversity while being in highly homogeneous Japanese society
composed of Japanese males, it is effective to learn about the pioneering examples of world’s top-classuniversities with rich diversity such as UIUC.
This year, we invited two STEP2 lecturers from UIUC : Prof. Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, Vice Provost
for International Affairs and Global Strategies and Prof. Sean C. Garrick, Vice Chancellor for Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion. For STEP3, we asked Mr. David Favre, a teaching and learning specialist at theschool's Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation to be the STEP3 instructor.
The following is the brief introduction of DEI strategic plan of UIUC according to the document written by
Vice Chancellor Sean C. Garrick.

As we embed equity and inclusion as foundational values throughout an Illinois educational andworkplace experience, we know that the contributions of our faculty – regardless of their area ofscholarship – are critical to the development of future leaders who can collaborate in the diverse andcontemporary society.
In Fall 2020 we launched the Chancellor’s Call to Action to Address Racism and Social Injustice Research
Program. This initiative seeks to transform how the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign supports
and prioritizes research and engagement that tackles the real and pervasive issues that persist as barriers
to justice, tolerance, and equality in the United States. With an annual budget of $2M, we created asustained, concentrated effort with measurable outcomes, underscored by our responsibility as an
educational institution, a partner in our communities, and a global leader in research and engagement.
During this first year of the initiative, proposals from 10 campus units and 17 departments were funded(see Fig. 1). Given that research shows that female faculty and faculty of color are disproportionately
called upon by both colleagues and students to do diversity, equity and inclusion work, and that suchwork is often not recognized or rewarded, the demographics of those receiving funding suggests that the
program will have an effect in reversing that trend. Eighty-two percent (82%) of all awards were made tofemale faculty and staff and 45% were faculty and staff of color (see Fig. 2). These scholarly activities andawarded proposals each have the potential to make immediate change in our community and represent
the heart of our academic mission and the very best of who we are as a university.
Fig.1
Campus units and academic departments
supported by the 2021 Chancellor’s Call to
Action Research Program

Prof. Sean C. Garrick, Vice Chancellor for Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion, UIUC

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of nation’s leading research institutions and has
been since 1867. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are central to our mission. At Illinois we arededicated to providing access to educational opportunity for all qualified students, regardless of theirrace or ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national
origin, religious or faith traditions, age, or disability status. The diversity of our faculty, staff, and students
affects our productivity, creativity and our ability to lead in creating a better tomorrow.
The University System’s Guiding Principles recognize that DEI are fundamental to our institution: “The
University of Illinois System has the privilege and responsibility to cultivate the immense talents ofdiverse students, faculty, staff, and leaders. Healthy relationships—defined by mutual respect, trust, andan expectation of transparency and fair treatment—are the collective responsibility of all our members;
no one can afford to be a bystander when it comes to ensuring full participation of everyone in every
sphere of our campus communities. . . Diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enriches
campus conversations in and out of the classroom, inspires our creative endeavors, and drives innovative
solutions to the world’s problems.”

8

Fig.2
Demographic s of award for the 2021
C h a n c el l o r ’ s C a l l t o A c t i o n Re s e a r c hProgram

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

9

4Report of Graduation Ceremony of 1st trainees
The Graduation Ceremony of the 1st trainees was held online on February 10 (Thurs), 2022. The
1st trainees were selected as a group of 8 females and 2 males in FY 2019 and started their twoyears program from January 2020. In December, the 1st trainees successfully completed SENTAN-Q
program except 3 trainees who have been permitted the extension of training periods due to life
events etc. The brief description of Graduation Ceremony and Program Completion Report Meetingare given below.
At the beginning of Graduation Ceremony, President Tatsuro Ishibashi read out the names andaffiliations of trainees in alphabetical order as the slides of their faces and certificates were shown on
the screen. He greeted the attending guests and congratulated the trainees on their achievements.
He also expressed his expectation that the trainees will contribute to the advance of Japan’s academic
research by the high-level research and educational skills as well as leadership acquired through
SENTAN-Q.
The congratulatory messages were then extended to the trainees by the attending guests, Mr.
Yoshihide Miwa, Chief of Office of Human Resources Development for Science and Technology,
Human Resources Policy Division, MEXT, and Ms. Yasuko Yamamura, Program Officer, Department
for Science and Technology Program Promotion, Japan Science and Technology Agency.
After that, STEP2 lecturers from SENTAN-Q’s overseas model schools sent congratulatory video
messages. First, Prof. Sandra A. Brown, former Vice Chancellor of the University of California San
Diego (hereinafter referred to as “UC San Diego”), commended the trainees for achieving excellent
results while facing difficulties under the global pandemic of COVID-19. She also said that UC San
Diego is greatly honored to have the opportunity to collaborate on SENTAN-Q program. Second,Prof. Andrew T.S. Wee, former Vice President of the National University of Singapore, said thatteaching an international students is what all researchers experience in this increasingly global

society. He also said that the knowledge and skills acquired through SENTAN-Q will prove directly
relevant when the trainees go on to attain academic leadership positions in the future. Lastly, Prof.
Jean-Luc Bredas of the University of Arizona congratulated the trainees for having completed theprogram in this difficult situation and expressed his expectations of their outstanding achievementsin the future careers.
After the guests’ congratulatory messages, Assoc. Prof. Mako Nakamura of the Faculty of Agriculture
spoke words of thanks and appreciation on behalf of the trainees. Looking back on the two years
of SENTAN-Q program, she said they would not have successfully completed the program without
the support of people both inside and outside the university. She also said that she will seek to passon knowledge acquired through the program to students, the university, and the general public
and expressed her eagerness to work actively in the international arena. At the end of Graduation
Ceremony, the group photo was taken for those involved including the trainees and the attending
guests.

After the break, Program Completion Report Meeting was held online. The trainees made the briefpresentation of what they learned from their two-years program, especially focusing on STEP4, 5
and 6. They also talked about the knowledge and experience they had gained through the program
and their future career plans as researchers. Some trainees said that they were able to build aninternational network for joint research and develop the patience needed to pursue the research.
Also, there was a comment that SENTAN-Q allowed them to rethink their dreams and consider how
to realize them when the future is uncertain.
As the closing remark, Senior Vice President Kaoru Tamada gave a message as the SENTAN-Q
coordinator. She said that ideas born out of a difficult situation may contain insights that can lead us
into the future. She then conveyed her appreciation to all those concerned, both inside and outside
the university.

(Shoko Sagara, Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality)

Congratulatory message
from the STEP2
lecturers

Prof. Andrew Wee

The National University of Singapore

STEP 2Governance &Diversity-Inclusion

You will also be exposed to many disciplines you do not know about, but
now develop an interest in.
You will now be able to view your own discipline from different points ofview.
Teaching an increasingly international cohort of students is what every
academic globally experiences nowadays, so I am glad Kyushu University
organizes this course for young faculty.
研修⽣は、これまで知らなかった多くの分野に触れ、新たな興味を得たことでしょう。
そして⾃分の専⾨についても、これまでとは違った視点で⾒ることができるようになったことと思います。
増え続ける外国⼈留学⽣への指導は、いまやグローバル社会において全ての教員が経験していることであり、九州⼤学が若⼿研究者のために、こうしたコースを構築したことを⼤変喜ばしく思います。

10

Congratulations for successfully completing the
SENTAN-Q program!
SENTAN-Q 研修修了おめでとうございます︕
This program provides excellent preparation for global young faculty at
Kyushu University for their lifelong academic career, especially in Japan.
Your course has a healthy mix of female and male young faculty from diverse
disciplines, so you were also exposed to different subjects from the sciences tothe humanities through your interactions, not unlike what a regular faculty
experiences.
この研修は、九州⼤学のグローバルな若⼿教員が、特に⽇本で、⽣涯にわたってアカデミッ
クキャリアを積んでいくための優れた機会を提供してします。
研修はダイバーシティ原則に従い健全な男⼥⽐となるよう設計されており、また通常の教員の経験とは異なり、研修⽣間の交流を通じて、科学から⼈⽂社会まで、様々な分野に触れられるようになっています。

Furthermore, international research experiences is nowadays a very necessary
prerequisite in any academic career.
As academics, you will also contribute significantly to Japanese society.
Some of the content will also prove directly relevant when you go on toassume future academic leadership positions.
I wish you long and successful academic careers in the next chapter of yourlives!
さらに、国際的な研究経験は、今⽇、あらゆるアカデミックキャリアにおいて⽋かせない前提条件となっています。
⼤学教員として、あなたたちはこれから⽇本の社会に⼤きく貢献していくことでしょう。
そして将来指導的地位に就いた際には、本研修で学んだ知識が、直接に役⽴つものであったことに気づくと思います。
皆さんの輝かしい前途をお祝いするとともに、益々のご活躍をお祈りいたします。

Professor Andrew Wee
National University of Singapore

国⽴シンガポール⼤学・教授
Andrew Wee

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

11

5Program Completion Reports

First term Trainees
BANDO Mai Associate Professor
Research Field"Assoc. Prof. Masuo has been permitted the extension oftraining period due to life events etc. "MASUO Chisako T. Associate Professor

No.1

Affiliation

No.3

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
Faculty of Engineering

Orbital Mechanics and Control of Spacecraft

During the overseas training for the SENTAN-Q final exam, I conducted theoretical research on orbital
control of spacecraft using the new framework of Koopman operators with doctoral students under the
mentorship of Prof. Scheeres at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The students in Prof. Scheeres'
laboratory have a wide range of research topics, and I was impressed by the fact that each of them has
a distinct area of expertise. With the common theme of astrodynamics as a foundation, each student
can deepen their areas of specialization according to their individual interests, thereby broadening
the research field of the entire laboratory from various perspectives, which not only increases the
specialization of individual students but also further improves the level of the laboratory as a whole. In
addition, I felt that collaborative research through the guidance of students was a completely different
experience from collaborative research conducted by myself. It was a regrettable that this overseas
training was conducted only online, but we plan to continue sending and receiving students in the
future.

Affiliation
Research Field

Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies
Chinese (Foreign Policy), International Relations

When I was a student, I spent three years in the United States and China in total. I had also worked asa research assistant for an American professor for two and a half years. However, as all of my degrees
were earned in Japan, I was accustomed to publish my research achievements only in Japanese.
In humanities and social sciences in Japanese academia, that is usually enough to move up to aprofessor. However, I was wondering if I should remain to be an “ordinary scholar”. So, for five years
or so before joining the SENTAN-Q program, I had attended only the conferences held in English or
Chinese, and gradually increased the outputs in those languages.
SENTAN-Q is almost “mission impossible” for a researcher in social science as it is basically designed
for scientists and engineers. However, my participation in it upon the request of my department hasbrought some positive results for me: I have gained confidence in systematic English lectures while
carrying the STEP6. Similarly, by co-authoring a paper with a graduate student who belonged to aforeign university, I added toughness to compile a paper in unfamiliar field to me while taking thestudent’s and his university’s situations in mind. Since the program demands a lot of cooperation fromoutside scholars, I have also gained experiences in countless negotiations in English and Japanese. If
all faculty members were to receive this kind of training, I am sure that the level of Kyushu University
would improve dramatically.

No.2

EGUCHI Nawo Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Center for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research,

Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM)
Atmospheric Sciences: Satellite Remote Sensing,
Climate Change

Through joint research with domestic and foreign researchers under the COVID-19 situation, I wasable to reaffirm the importance of communication and at the same time learn a lot of knowledge andresearch methods that are applicable to the world, especially my research region, that is, I gained agrounded confidence.
The interaction with trainees in other fields was through mainly online (slack), but it was truly diversity
inclusion. Although each individual is independent, it was good to recognize others (e.g., researchmanners) and feel that they were moving toward the same goal.
Diversity and active learning learned in STEP 2 and 3 were put into practice in lectures and international
student guidance during the training period (STEP 4 and 6). I would like to continue to incorporate
these ideas and methods for the education and joint research. In addition, since we have launcheda satellite mission, I would like to shape this mission while being aware of the leadership learned
through this training and the knowledge gained in STEP 5 (artificial satellite engineering, science andtechnology society, etc.).
Finally, I would like to thank the SENTAN-Q Secretariat, the teachers who taught at each STEP, and theteachers/staffs of the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics for giving me a valuable opportunity.

12

No.4

NAGATSU Yuichiro Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Communication Design Science,
Faculty of Design

Arts Management, Arts and Social Inclusion

The past two years have been a time for me to get rid of my weakness in English and to develop awillingness to take on new communication challenges. Every opportunity to take classes at overseas
universities and to conduct collaborative research with overseas researchers was a new challenge
for me. Instead of being unable to travel due to the new coronavirus, I was able to make many
connections not only in the UK, where I had originally planned to go but also in other parts of the world,
especially in Southeast Asia. I would like to use these connections as a foothold to continue to take on
the challenge of expanding my research and educational activities internationally. In these uncertain
times, how can I still promote what I think is important? I think I have learned about that mindset andmethodology. I am also grateful to all the professors and administrative staff who have been involved in
the management of SENTAN-Q, to the professors inside and outside of the university who have takenon the role of mentors, and to my "peers" in various research fields who I have met since becoming
a university faculty member. I would like to use this as an opportunity to work on inter-departmental
collaboration.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

13

5Program Completion Reports

First term Trainees
No.5

No.7

NAKAMURA Mako Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Center for Promotion of International Education andResearch, Faculty of Agriculture

Muscle Biology, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology

The two years have passed quickly, and I am very relieved and proud to complete the SENTAN-Q
program. The lectures of the Steps 2, 3 and 5 were wonderful and informative. The steps 4 and 6
looked overwhelming at the beginning. I would not have completed the program without my mentors,
Dr. Judy Anderson, University of Manitoba and Dr. Charles Sagerstrom, University of Colorado. They
guided me how to progress and I deeply appreciate their mentorship and cooperation. I would also
like to express my gratitude to the faculties, administrative staff and the students who involved in the
program. I am more than happy to have been granted so much support by so many people around me.
After reaching this milestone, I become ready to give back to the students, to Kyushu University, and to
our research communities.

No.6

NOMURA Hisako Lecturer
Affiliation
Research Field

Center for Promotion of International Education and

Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Electronics, Faculty of Information
Science and Electrical Engineering

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

Throughout the two years of SENTAN-Q training, I learn and achieve a lot in terms of education andinternational collaboration research. Particularly, in the training through collaboration research withhigh level overseas researchers, we jointly supervised doctoral students of Kyushu University, UCSD
and UPPA, respectively, with the mentor. There were various difficulties in this process, especiallythe limitations of the research environment and remote communication to the oversea universities
in the Covid-19 situation. However, with the enthusiasm of the supervising students and the help of
the mentors, I was able to learn the skills to produce results even under such circumstances. I had
the opportunity to mentor graduate students from different positions and perspectives, which gaveme the skills, achievements, and confidence as an university teacher in a short period of two years.
The knowledge of organizational governance, inclusiveness, and active learning that I learned in
the classroom in the early stages of the program has been a great help in teaching students in mysubsequent overseas collaborative research and is still very helpful in teaching students in my own
laboratory. Consequently, I received the Young Scientists’ Award in the 2021 Commendation for
Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In
the future, I will use the skills I gained from this SENTAN-Q training program to conduct international
research and educational activities.

Research, Faculty of Agriculture

Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Resource Economics,
Environmental Economics

You can do it if you try - “one person can make a difference”.
It was January 2020 when I was selected as the first SENTAN-Q trainee. I had planned for my mentor in the
UK to join me in April for the doctoral students’ field research. I had also planned to take a sabbatical during
the SENTAN-Q training period and travel to the UK in June. However, a state of emergency was declared in
April and working from home began, so I had to cancel both the field research and the overseas training in
the UK. Nevertheless, in April, the doctoral students went through a two-week quarantine period to conduct
field research in Myanmar. Also, I started preparing three meals for my two children taking online classes
while providing lectures and writing online quizzes in between. Despite some changes in the training plandue to COVID-19, I would like to express my gratitude to the SENTAN-Q Steering Committee for theirquick response in organizing the lectures of Steps 2 and 3, held face-to-face and online. In particular,
Professor Breda’s introduction of university governance, diversity, and inclusive education at the STEP2
training on February 12 and 13 was very concrete and stimulating. It was a valuable opportunity to hear
about Professor Breda’s experience in devising the “one person can make a difference” approach in hisorganization. I also gained a deeper understanding of the University of Arizona’s governance, diversity, andinclusive education initiatives. In addition, I realized that it is possible to coauthor with overseas researchers
if we are ingenious, although it was a challenge to coauthor with doctoral students of my mentor without
overseas training. Nevertheless, this training program was an excellent opportunity for me to experience
what I can do if I try, while revising my plan each time in the face of an uncertain future. I would like to makethe most of this experience in my future research life.

14

SASSA Fumihiro Assistant Professor

No.8

OISHI-TOMIYASU Ryoko

Associate Professor

Affiliation

Division for Intelligent Societal Implementation of

Mathematical Computation, Institute of Mathematics
for Industry (IMI)

Research Field

Applied Algebra, Number Theory,
Mathematical crystallography

During my stay in Hong Kong and quarantine hotels, I felt great to be able to work all day! I'd liketo thank my coworkers at Kyushu U and HKU, collaborators and my family for letting me focus
on the project abroad for more than two months. I developed various codes that can be used forcomputational number theory and my future research. The research theme with the mentor andhis student will be continued as my youth dream to combine the theory of modular forms, discrete
structures and diffraction. The first-year project was also adopted by JST Sohatsu program.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

15

5Program Completion Reports

First term Trainees
No.9"Assist. Prof. Wakabayashi has been permitted the extension oftraining period due to life events etc. "WAKABAYASHI Rie Assistant Professor
Department of Applied Chemistry,Affiliation

Faculty of Engineering

Research Field

Supramolecular ChemistryFirst of all, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the 1st trainees who havecompleted the program. I wish you all the best in your future careers.
I am still in the middle of the training, but I feel I have learnt many things that I would have neverexperienced in my normal research life. Particularly, STEP 4 gave me important experiences
not only how to advance my research project, but also how to encourage students or elicit
their opinions, which should be important aspect as a researcher/educator. I am grateful to theprofessor who willingly served as a mentor and SENTAN-Q program for providing me with thisopportunity. In addition, I have started to learn data science, which is new to me and I am planning
to apply it to my research. There are still many steps left to go, but I will do my best to complete
them all.

No.10"Assoc. Prof. Yamauchi has been permitted the extension oftraining period due to life events etc. "YAMAUCHI Yukiko Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

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

My training period has been extended for seven months due to my maternity leave.
The schedule of my final step of the SENTAN-Q program has been changed but fortunately I foundnew classes and students in Sorbonne University, France. I started student research guidancefrom November 2021, and had a class on "Distributed Coordination of Autonomous Mobile
Robots" from 2021 December to 2022 January. All research meetings and classes were online andwe found new types of difficulties. However, I worked on new things, for example, incorporating
active learning to my class so that we have good interaction. In addition, it was easier to workon the final step online after the maternity leave. Regarding directed study and guidance of aninternational student, the result has been presented at AROB-ISBC-SWARM 2022 this January,which is an international conference of a new area for me. I am very grateful for such a wonderful
opportunity.

16

Profiles of Trainees

6

Second term Trainees
No.1

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

Through this program, I have learned about university governance and other measures that
we do not have so many opportunities to learn at Japanese universities. This will definitely
help my future career as a researcher. In addition, it will be a good opportunity for me tobuild an international network. Actually, the collaboration with a foreign mentor is a goodexperience for me. I think the SENTAN-Q is well designed 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

FURUTA Michiko Lecturer
Affiliation
Research Field

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

My research focuses 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. I would
like to improve my research and educational skills by the SENTAN-Q program. I am in the
middle of training, and I could expand the network of overseas researchers and develop myresearch under the SENTAN-Q program.
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.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2021

17

6Profiles of Trainees

Second term Trainees
No.3

No.5

FUYUNO Miharu Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

MARUYAMA-NAKASHITA Akiko

Associate Professor

Department of Content and Creative Design,
Faculty of Design

Applied Linguistics

Affiliation
Research Field

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.

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
No.4

MAEKAWA Hiromi Lecturer
Affiliation
Research Field

Affiliation

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.
The program gives us valuable opportunities to interact with other researchers in various
research fields. Also, it is a good chance to start international collaborations.
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 andpromote awareness of diversity inclusive.

18

OHTA Shinri Lecturer
Research Field

Department of Language and Literature,
Faculty of Humanities

Linguistics, Cognitive Neuroscience

I would like to develop my ability to teach students with diverse academic, cultural, andsocioeconomic backgrounds, as well as to offer better educational opportunities for
my students. As a principal investigator at Kyushu University, I have been supervisingundergraduate and graduate students, who have diverse 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. Through this 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
this goal, 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 toadvance interdisciplinary research, including the neuroscience of language. Expanding myknowledge on diversity and enhancing the quality of teaching is the key to better researchand education.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 2020

19

6Profiles of Trainees

Second term Trainees
No.7

No.9

SATO Kaori Assistant Professor
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 will also lead to a better designfor future space missions.

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.8

TANAKA Manabu Associate 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.

20

No.10

TODO Taiki
Affiliation
Research Field

Associate Professor

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

My major research lies in an interdisciplinary field between computer science and economics,
where researchers with various backgrounds have actively participated in the community.
Diverse viewpoints that I learned in STEP 5 will help me to follow and contribute to thestate-of-the-art.
Unfortunately, all the planned on-site activities in STEP 6, including both on-site teachingand offline discussions with students are difficult to conduct due to COVID-19. It was,however, a good experience to arrange possible activities and negotiate how they can be
conducted as a part of this program with Kyushu University and the overseas institutes.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202021

6Profiles of Trainees

Third term Trainees
No.1

No.3

IKEGAYA Naoki Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Advanced Environmental Science andEngineering / Faculty of Engineering Sciences
Wind engineering, Environmental engineering

The program provides me various opportunities to become a top-level researcher as wellas established educator. We, university faculty members, are required to be researchers
having genuine global competitiveness and understanding the importance of diversity.
The mentoring steps in the program are great chances for me to enhance the international
network in my research fields, as well as to improve my supervising skills. The improvementof my research skill is essential to facilitate students to conduct their research activities
effectively and enjoyably. Based on such activities, I will lead an attractive laboratory formany overseas students as a hub in my fields. Moreover, various lectures provided in the
program make me contemplate how the diversity-inclusive thoughts have positive effects
on our faculty and university. To maximize the outcomes in research and educational
activities at university, we are requested to consider and accept the diversity of faculty
members and students. As a trainee of the program, I would like to ingrain the thoughts forour generation.

INOISHI Atsushi Assistant Professor
Research Field

Department of Advanced Device Materials /Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering
Electrochemistry

SENTAN-Q is a great opportunity to become a world-class educator / researcher withlectures on university governance, diversity, and active learning, as well as recurrent
education and practical education, research guidance using English. Therefore, I applied
this program. I feel that the opportunity to receive guidance from the world's top university
lecturers is extremely valuable and useful. I learned active learning-type teaching methods,
and I found that there are many ways to teach, and I can learn myself. In the future, I will
give lectures in this training program, and I would like to use it at that time. Now I study
the development of battery materials, and I usually have many opportunities to talk withresearchers in the field of chemistry, but in this training, there are members from various
fields. I feel this is a very useful opportunity to interact with researchers in other fields.
In addition, I would like to promote international joint research with the world's top-levelresearchers.

22

Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Dental Science/
Faculty of Dental Science
Immunology

I have had the privilege of meeting many incredible mentors. They understood the needsof students from diverse backgrounds and educated them with precision and passion. I
applied for the SENTAN-Q program because I want to be that kind of mentor and educatorfor my students.
In the SENTAN-Q program, I participated in various training such as university governance,
active learning methods, and inclusion for diversity and super global teachers. I feel that my
self-confidence has expanded. Through this program, I would like to hone my skills as an
educator and engage in the education of global students who can be accepted worldwide.

No.4

KUSABA Akira Assistant Professor

No.2

Affiliation

KANEKO Naoki Assistant Professor

Affiliation
Research Field

Division of Renewable Energy Dynamics /Research Institute for Applied Mechanics
Materials Engineering, Crystal Growth

SENTAN-Q is a training program that gives even young faculty members the opportunity
to learn about international standards of university governance and teaching methods.
I applied for this program because I wanted to acquire the necessary skills through thetraining program in order to step up to become a principal investigator. The practicaltraining I received in English on active learning methods gave me confidence. As forsupervising the research of exchange students and overseas students, I will do my best as
a research supervisor, from planning the theme to guiding the writing of the paper.
I am conducting research on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in materials process design.
In the future, I will manage my laboratory by accepting students with various backgrounds
in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, applied physics, and informatics. I would
like to make use of my experience in learning about diversity and inclusion and the networkwith overseas researchers that I gained through the program.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202023

6Profiles of Trainees

Third term Trainees
No.5

No.7

LIU Huixin Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences /Faculty of Sciences

Space Physics, Space Weather,

Atmosphere-ionosphere coupling, Climate change

For me, Steps 2, 5 of SENTAN-Q are very unique, as they help to expand a research's
capacity into multi-dimensions, i.e., from being just a researcher to being a responsible
faculty member, who cares not only her/his own research, but also research and education
at larger scales and at university level. Through the recurrent education in Step 5, I've built
connections with other researchers in different fields, and hopefully we will find common
interest to start inter-disciplinary collaboration soon. Also, using knowledge gained fromtraining on diversity and inclusion in Step 2, I wish to help improve the DEI environment of
the university, making it an enjoyable place to work and study.
As a researcher, I hope one day we will be able to do space weather forecast as goodas the weather forecast, so that we could contribute to manned-space explorations. Asa faculty member, I hope to contribute to internationalization of the university, and make
Kyushu University attractive to many foreign scholars and students.

MORIMOTO Yuki
Research Field

Assistant Professor

Department of Content and Creative Design /Faculty of Design

Computer Graphics

The research field of computer graphics is a highly applied research field involving several
academic areas. SENTAN-Q is designed to provide connections with faculty members fromother fields, as well as diverse perspectives in terms of education and management, which
is very interesting. There are also training programs for education and overseas research,which I am looking forward to.
As for my future goals, I would like to realize a better society through computer graphics
and related technologies, as the world has become increasingly digital and online in recent
years. I would also like to think and work flexibly for the future of universities and the way oflife of human beings, aiming to be in tune with the times.

24

Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Advanced Device Materials /Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering
Carbon Material, Carbon Neutral Society

I am researching with a high interest in carbon-neutral society. Among them, I am
conducting research to convert unused carbon into carbon materials. The SENTAN-Q
program offers a broader perspective on international governance, diversity and inclusive
education. I also strongly felt that I wanted to be a part of it. Besides, I receive advice frominternationally renowned researchers through the SENTAN-Q program and I can also learn
how to nurture the younger generation. My future goal is to be a world-class researcher in
my field of expertise.

No.8

SUEMATSU Koichi Assistant Professor
Affiliation

No.6

Affiliation

NAKABAYASHI Koji Assistant Professor

Research Field

Department of Advanced Materials Science andEngineering / Faculty of Engineering Sciences
Functional inorganic materials, Electrochemistry,
Gas sensing

I had studied in a German laboratory when I was a student, and I felt that their students
and researchers with various backgrounds enjoy their own work to push forward thewhole research. Now I found that it is the atmosphere of diversity-inclusion, and theGerman laboratory is one of my target laboratories. When I manage the laboratory, I would
like to create an atmosphere in which members can perform to their fullest potential.
Thus, I applied to the SENTAN-Q program because I would like to learn the skills forcommunication and research education to create such a research environment andatmosphere.
My research is the development of gas-sensing devices based on the fundamental
understanding of functional nanomaterials. In my research field, a collaboration of various
research areas such as materials, electronic-device, and device design is necessary forsocial implementation. Thus, I would like to create an international network in SENTAN-Q
program, and finally, my purpose is to establish the international research and education
community in the future.

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202025

6Profiles of Trainees

Third term Trainees
No.9

Ade Irma Suriajaya Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Mathematics /No.11

YOSHIOKA Hiroaki Assistant Professor

Faculty of Mathematics

Mathematics (Analytic Number Theory)

I knew of SENTAN-Q Program the first time through internal recommendation, and I was excited toparticipate in it from the very first time. The third-term program is more or less reaching halfway withlectures on STEP2 university governance and STEP3 teaching skills all completed and the first student
guidance in STEP4 is conducted halfway. I still have lectures to attend as a part of STEP5 recurrent
education and STEP6 as the final examination which will include teaching abroad and the second
student guidance, which preparations are now mostly done. I have now experienced the benefits ofthis program and can now be sure to say that this is a very fruitful faculty development program.
First of all, I am an assistant professor currently in the third year, and have surely no experience inuniversity governance, nor did I ever have the opportunity to teach major classes. It is such a valuablechance to get to know a little bit about university governance in advance, and the teaching skills welearned involve active learning which is not yet applied in my field of study, Pure Mathematics as alarge category. The latter is helpful to have myself prepared to use active learning teaching techniques
when I get to teach major classes in the future. Secondly, it is undoubtedly fun to get the opportunity
to learn things outside of my area of expertise through 1-to-1 active learning classes. Finally, as
an assistant professor in the math department, I am not yet allowed to guide graduate students.
SENTAN-Q Program has given me the opportunity to train myself as a research educator before having
the full responsibility to independently be one.

Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Electronics /Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering
Laser engineering

I am currently conducting on the research of printable microlasers with the creationof innovative laser light sources as the core of my research. It is useful in advanced
applications such as next-generation integrated quantum devices, optical integrated
circuits, and ultra-sensitive biosensing. Through the SENTAN-Q program, I would
like to increase my presence in these fields of application that require international
competitiveness.
A few years ago, I promoted international joint research through a long-term overseas
dispatch. However, due to the high time cost spent on building a research environment andtaking experiments, I couldn't promote enough activity on the perspective of "improvementof international research and teaching skills." Therefore, I applied for SENTAN-Q programin order to acquire new knowledge and achieve "improvement of international research andteaching skills".

No.10

TUDA Midori Associate Professor
Affiliation
Research Field

Department of Bioresource Sciences /Faculty of Agriculture

Population ecology, community ecology, evolutionary ecology,
molecular ecology, population genetics, biological control

SENTAN-Q is a great opportunity to broaden my view in research, education, and university
governance from an international perspective. I also would like to bolster diversity in academia
by becoming an active participant in that myself. SENTAN-Q training is interactive and inspiring.
I am learning differences between Japan and the US in university governance and diversity
inclusion. I am also learning interactive teaching methods and performed an online interactive
lecture. Lecturers and trainees are diverse in gender, age, and race. They are enthusiastic andI feel very lucky to have this opportunity. I’d like to apply knowledge and methods I’ve learnt
over this training to my teaching and research. I also feel that I can work more effectively with agreater range of international researchers and students. Looking to the future, I have an ambition
to develop a new research field focused on my own field of ecology and biocontrol in tandemwith AI and nano technologies.

26

SENTAN-Q Annual Report 202027

7

Appendix

Outlook

8

Guideline for 4th term Trainees

Plan for the FY 2022 term (April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023)
In FY 2022, the 2nd trainees will have completed STEP5 and STEP6. STEP6 can be replaced with
online lecture and research guidance using Zoom in case of travel restriction barring overseas travelfrom Japan.
The 3rd trainees will continue STEP4 and STEP5 in FY 2022. They will proceed to STEP6 in August
after being certified that they have successfully completed STEP4.
The nomination process for the 4th trainees will begin from March 2022. After the selection, the 4th
trainees will start their program from August.

2 nd Trainees
STEP5
Up-to-date field-specificrecurrent training

STEP6
Final examination
Overseas training more than
8 weeks*The 2nd trainees started
STEP6 from August 2021
and will complete in July
2022.
**It can be conducted online
in case of travel restriction
being in place due to
COVID-19.

3 rd 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 3rd trainees will start
STEP6 from August 2022.

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

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

4 th Trainees
March to May:
Application for the nomination ofcandidates
June:
Screening process by application
documents
July:
Interview
Early July:
Final selection of the 4th trainees

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

Guideline for 4 th Term Trainees（Feb. 21, 2022）
1

Objective of this program

SENTAN-Q expected effects

The full six-year term of SENTAN-Q should yield the following outcomes:

n The program is made to provide outstanding female and young faculty members with
opportunities for strengthening their research and educational skills that meet thehighest global standards to become attractive and competitive in the world’s academic
research.

▪ 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 department and are expected toattain promotions to senior or management positions within a few years. In
principle, trainees will take two-years diversity & global training course. Whentrainees reach the targeted learning level, certificates will be given and tenure or
one-level promotion will be granted within one 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).

▪ 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).

n Through the program, trainees can acquire research and educational skills thatmeet the highest global standards, and the wide knowledge required for senior or
management researchers. Furthermore, the formation of on-campus network that
goes beyond the boundaries of male and female crossing different research fields
are expected (as well as the elimination of unconscious bias)▪ 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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Appendix

Guideline for 4th term Trainees

Contents of this program

Details of this program(2/6)

n This program consists of STEP1 to STEP6
STEP1

Selection of trainees

STEP2

University governance, diversity and inclusive education (on campus)

STEP3

Teaching methodologies 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）

STEP2 University governance, diversity and inclusive
education (on campus)
Objective Learn about the importance of university governance, diversity andinclusion. Lecturers are invited from the world's top-class universities (mandatory
course)Diversity and inclusionn Period: 1-2days intensive lectures in the first yearn Place: Kyushu Univ. Ito campus (It can be conducted online under certain conditions)n Learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion in university and society and about
various innovation cases born from these concepts.
n Lecturers are experts invited from overseasn Period︓2 years for each trainee (can be extended under certain conditions, e.g. maternal
leave or nursing care)n The program is to be implemented for six rounds from FY 2019 to FY 2024 as a JST project.
The continuation after 2024 has not been decided. The program is expected to promote
about 60 trainees through six application rounds.

University governance
n Period: 1-2days intensive lectures in the first yearn Place: Kyushu Univ. Ito campus (It can be conducted online under certain conditions)n Learn about a vision of what a university should be from a long-term perspective anduniversity management.
n Lecturers are university vice president or former vice president invited from the world's
top-class universities (overseas).

n Trainees who complete the courses from STEP 1 to STEP 6 will receive certificates from the
President and are granted tenured position or one-level promotion within one year of thecompletion of the program.
n The program is being implemented with the cooperation of the entire university as part ofadministrative reforms centered around “young, women and foreign researchers” as set
forth in Kyushu Universityʼs Mid-term objectives and Mid-term plan and the National
University Administration Reform Facilitation Project etc. with the adoption of MEXTʼs3

Initiative for Realizing Diversity in the Research Environment.

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Details of this program(1/6)

Details of this program(3/6)

STEP1 Selection of trainees (on campus)

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

Trainees are selected through highly transparent screening process from candidates recommended

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by each faculty.
n Qualified applicants: Female faculty, or male faculty aged 37 years old or younger at the end of
FY in which the program starts (associate professor, lecturer and assistant professor)(1) Tenured faculty (2) Untenured faculty but scheduled for a tenure review
n Application period: March 7, 2022(Mon) to May 16, 2022 (Mon)n Application documents: Forms 1 to 4
n Interview Date: Early July 2022 (scheduled)
Place: Kyushu Univ. Ito Campus (details will be announced later)n Selection criteria(1) Sufficient research achievements (2) Having a positive attitude to learning about
new issues surrounding universities and society with the acceptance of Kyushu Universityʼs
policy that faculties should learn with students (3) Being motivated to improve global
research and educational skills including overseas trainingn Selection Committee members: President and board members of Kyushu University, professors
emeritus in Institute for Advanced Study and external experts (about 10 members in total)n Language: English and Japanesen 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 2022
n Orientation meeting for successful applicants: Late July 2022
n Training course start : August 1, 2022 (Mon)

Objective Learn about the latest teaching methodologies for active learning fromlecturers invited from the world's top-class universities (mandatory course)n Period: 2-3 days of intensive lectures in the first yearn Place: Kyushu Univ. Ito campus or Fukuoka City (It can be conducted online undercertain conditions)n Classes are conducted in English. Intensive and interactive lectures.
n Lecturers are experts invited from overseas.

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8Guideline for 4th term Trainees

Details of this program(4/6)

Details of this program(6/6)
STEP6 Final Examination: Teaching and directed study（overseas）

STEP4 Directed study and guidance of international students (on campus)
Objective Learn how to conduct research guidance in English for international
students while receiving guidance from the worldʼs top-class senior researcher as amentorn Period: 1 year starting from August, 2022
n Place: Traineesʼ laboratoryn Setting research theme, conducting research guidance in English and writing
international co-authored paper etc. with international students (maximum 2)
supervised by an overseas mentor
n An overseas mentor should be a university researcher who meets the requirementsof Progress 100.
n Selection of international students and overseas mentor should be done by atrainee in principle.
n Web-conferencing system can be available for overseas communication. (In FY
2019, Kyushu University purchased a web-conferencing system and installed it in
the Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality. A device can also be madeavailable for lease.)

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Objective Overseas training constitutes the final examination of SENTAN-Q. It
determines whether the trainees have developed research and educational skills thatmeet the highest global standards.
n Period: 1 year starting from August 2023 to July 2024 (overseas staying period should

be more than 8 weeks)n Place︓Overseas partner university (or another worldʼs top-class universities)n Only trainees who have completed the STEP2 to STEP4 can participate in STEP6n Conduct lectures at an overseas partner university in English. If it is difficult to conduct
a regular class, it can be replaced with tutorial lectures at multiple universities.
n Student research guidance in English at an overseas partner university with a mentor.
In principle, as in STEP 4, writing of one international co-authored paper as a principal
investigator is required.
n The trainee selects an overseas partner university and mentor
n Expenses necessary for overseas training are borne by the SENTAN-Q program.

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Details of this program(5/6)

Evaluation of the traineesʼ achievements

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

STEP2, STEP3 , STEP5

Objective Select your extra-professional field from the top priority issues at Kyushu
University, such as the latest data science (e.g., AI or IoT), SDGs, etc. and receive
recurrent training to broaden the scientific view. This will be helpful to remain highly
active after promotion through the establishment of interdisciplinary fields, research
centers, and budget requests.

n Quantitative evaluation of traineesʼ achievements based on rubric tables should bedone by lecturers.
n A self-evaluation by the trainees will also be done at the same time to feedback on
the efficiency of the program for the next year

STEP4, STEP6n Period: Take two or more courses from the list between August 2022 to July 2023
as the mandatory-elective course.
n Place: Kyushu Univ. campusesn Lecturer: Kyushu Univ. faculty members in principle. Lecturers can also be invitedfrom outside the university upon request from trainees.
n Select the extra-professional field. Faculty from the humanities should takescience-related classes, and vice versa. Classes for industry-academia
collaboration and entrepreneurship are also available.
n STEP 5 can be completed after STEP 6 overseas research.
n Lectures are conducted in English or Japanese using active learning method

832n An overseas mentor from the worldʼs top-class university determines whether the
trainees have developed research and educational skills that meet the highest global
standards in consideration of the achievement 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 4th 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 female and young faculty
members by the direct guidance of the worldʼs top-class researchers
and being assessed on their research and educational skills. The goal is
not simply to increase the number of female and young faculty
members in senior or management positions, rather to make them tobe competitive and attractive in global research market.
n The ultimate goal is to identify and nurture outstanding female andyoung researchers at Kyushu University who can lead the world's
academic research and to appeal their skills to the world.
n The trainees should understand the objective of this program and makethe best use of this training opportunity for their own learning andachievements.

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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