Doctorate in environmental management

Kyoto

International Environment and Disaster Management (IEDM) research field comes under the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES) of Kyoto University.

The school offers two courses, master in environmental management and doctorate in environmental management and environmental studies. In the graduate school, IEDM research field targets to reduce the gap between knowledge and practice through proactive field-level, community-based project implementation. The target areas are mainly developing countries in Asia, which have the highest population growth, and high vulnerability, due to different types of natural and man-made disasters.

The focus of this research field is to learn lessons from the field experiences through effective environment and disaster related project management. Disaster issues are directly related to environmental degradation, and global climate change.

The key of environment and disaster management is the end-user's (community and people) participation. Added to this, is education and learning through formal/non-formal education, and community/ family interactions. Working closely with the governments, NGO/NPO, United Nations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies　and regional bodies, this research field is developing a unique process-oriented participatory approach of environment and disaster management through direct involvement and ownership of the community.

Human resources capable of functioning in an international setting, equipped with comprehensive knowledge and skills for resolving conflicts and managing global environmental issues are fostered through participation in internship study abroad and the preparation of a doctoral thesis. After receiving a doctoral degree, graduates of this doctoral course may work for government or municipal institutions or international organizations, the environmental management departments of industries, environment-related industries, environment-related international NGOs, and universities, as well as for government and private-sector research organizations working in environment-related activities.

1. Curriculum Structure

In order to foster outstanding environmental management professionals and researchers, course guidance is provided as needed on subjects offered under the Course in Environmental Management, focusing primarily on lectures and seminars (depending on the students educational background and credits earned in his or her master's course). The student also completes an internship program lasting approximately one year, and then submits a doctoral thesis.

An academic mentor (thesis director) is assigned to each student upon entry into the university. Once a student has selected a research theme, the student is also assigned two research advisers (thesis readers), and the student receives interdisciplinary and practical guidance.

2. Internship Study

In the Environmental Management Course, we aim to train internationally active specialists with comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills in order to resolve global and regional environmental issues, including those in the area of disaster prevention. Therefore, in keeping with the value we place on practical skills, we have incorporated an internship system as a compulsory part of the curriculum. Through individual education based on practical experience outside of the classroom, we aim for the acquisition of competence in coping with global environmental issues. We have made arrangements with domestic and foreign environmental issue-related research organizations to serve as hosts for internship training. For example, we have arrangements with governmental research institutes, private research organizations, foreign universities, and international organizations such as the United Nations and international NGOs. We have arranged for the period of training in each organization to be approximately one year for the Doctoral Program. During this period, each student individually pursues his or her training and strives to cultivate practical skills. After returning to the university, the student prepares a doctoral thesis utilizing the fruits of his or her experiences outside the university.
3. Progress Toward the Degree
First Year:

Advising instructor selected; research plan drafted, reviewed, and announced; preliminary thesis report written; four credits completed. Preparation of internship study plan.

Second Year:

Second thesis report written; two credits completed. Internship study

Third year:

Third thesis report written; presentation, review and defense of doctoral thesis; four credits completed, Doctoral Degree in Global Environmental Studies awarded to student.
The standard time to complete the program is three years; however, exceptional students may be able to complete the degree in less time.

Applicants are selected based on an oral interview related to the student's knowledge of his or her area of specialization.

Annual

English

The Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies
Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, JAPAN

TEL: +81-75-753-9167
FAX: +81-75-753-9187