We are currently facing various global-scale issues, such as climate change, global warming, ocean pollution, poverty, and hunger. In particular, developing countries are strongly influenced by these issues since agriculture and fisheries are the major industries. Efforts to solve these issues and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been conducted around the world. However, it is essential to further promote research and projects on agricultural development including the improvement of crop production and environmental conservation through an inter- and trans-disciplinary approach in developing countries.
Faculty members in the International Program in Agricultural Development Studies (IPADS) have a wide range of fields such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, economics, animal science, and environment. We have been conducting research activities to solve the above problems relevant to agricultural development and related fields. IPADS is a unique program launched in 2010 at Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo that is dedicated to the development in the 21st century of the regions and situations in need around the world, especially for the tropical Asian and African countries.
In the educational program, we aim to nurture students who can contribute to the establishment of a peaceful and prosperous society where food production and conservation of the biosphere are achieved simultaneously. In order to accomplish these missions, the faculty members have designed curricula that reflect frontier research in all sub-disciplines of agriculture, offering an interactive environment where the staff and students can work together for the advancement of science based on three principles, “Issue orientation”, “Transdisciplinarity,” and “Global scope.” We offer comprehensive cutting-edge education and research to students from all over the world. Now, more than 10 years have passed since the program was established, and students from all over the world, including Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the United States, have enrolled in the program and are working together.
In addition, we have a strong partnership with the Center for Development Studies (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, Germany, and have conducted joint educational programs since 2014. IPADS students can enjoy opportunities to encounter ZEF students and faculties, and learn true interdisciplinary sciences related to development studies through joint physical lectures and field practices.
We are looking forward to receiving your applications to this program and working together to contribute to the world as global citizens.
IPADS Director
