Q&A

What is the "WISE Program"?
The "WISE Program" is an initiative to form outstanding hubs for training, communication, and continuous creation of joint research. It also aims to build a five-year doctoral degree program, which garners the world highest level of education and research capacities centered around each university's strength and utilizes the results of the graduate school reform. Through organizational collaboration with other universities, research institutions, and private corporations within and outside Japan, the program trains exceptional talent and future leaders in all sectors.
Reference: MEXTJSPS
What are the features of the program?
Students enrolled in the program participate in joint research projects in diverse fields and overseas training at various accelerator facilities to learn the basics and applications. Students gain interdisciplinary experiences that are connected to society.
For more information about the features of the program, please refer to the "Program Outline" page.
What are the differences from the regular doctoral curriculum?
It is a five-year (Graduate School of Science, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology) or a four-year (Graduate School of Medicine) doctoral program. In collaboration with top-tier institutions and corporations specializing in quantum beam technology within and outside Japan, the curriculum provides a variety of experiences, including networking and international leadership opportunities. Students become highly specialized, while developing the ability to view issues from a broad perspective encompassing multiple fields through interdisciplinary and internationally collaborative joint research activities both domestically with entities outside their own department and collaborations with overseas partner institutions. Many corporations collaborate in this program and train students. Such interactions help students determine their career path.
What is the workload?
Compared to having a minor subject, the workload is lighter because common courses of the program count towards requirements of the home graduate school (education program with academic major). For Compulsory Elective courses and completion requirements, please refer to the "Curriculum" page or inquire at the office or faculty members.
Are there exams for progression?
Within two years after enrolling in the program, students must pass the Qualifying Exam (QE), which consists of submitting a plan for dissertation research and an oral presentation. After completing the dissertation examination, students present a proposal based on the learning outcomes of the program in the Final Exam (FE). The program is completed by earning both a master's and doctoral degree in their home graduate school, accumulating the required credits, and passing the FE.
What degree is awarded?
In addition to degrees from the academic major, a certificate of completion of this program is earned.
How much financial support is available?
After completing the second year of the master's program, students receive an RA stipend. In addition, all tuition fees are waived for those who pass the QE. For more details about financial support, please refer to "Student Support."