Several decades have passed since the arrival of knowledge-based society where knowledge brings substantial effects on the development of society and economy. Society and economy have since been increasing complexity and uncertainty, and an appropriate promotion of science, technology and innovation (STI), integration of advanced knowledge, has become an important factor in deciding how the world, not limited to Japan, should be.
On the other hand, it is not easy to plan and implement STI policies. As the science and technology research and development is highly specialized, required is a long-term and complex process to have the results implemented in society and the innovation seen. Also, realizing a sustainable development society requires decision-making with multi-faceted elements with inclusion of a variety of stakeholders. To deal with such complexities, it is essential for the STI policies themselves to be advanced to plan, implement and evaluate based on objective evidences.
The GiST program is the only one educational program in Japan that provides Master's and Ph.D. degrees, focusing on STI policies. This program trains the students to become either highly specialized professionals who can plan, draft, implement, evaluate and revise STI policies and strategies, using scientific approaches, or researchers with high research capabilities on STI policies.
Also, the program expanded its schedule as of 2020 to include evening and Saturday classes to enable the students to be enrolled in the program while having a job. Also established in 2020 was a "short-term STI policy management training program." It enables the students to carry the credits they gain from this program when they join the GiST Master's Program. These new programs will further promote the opportunities for more people to be engaged in STI policies.
The Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) is expanding the global network to train mid-career politicians, government administrators, and people in industries to become professionals in making policies and strategies. This effort makes the Japanese students in the GiST program to have the opportunities to interact with the students from abroad while being in Japan.
I sincerely wish that people who are highly concerned with STI policy issues will join this program where the knowledge they gain will further develop their career and be useful in implementing policies.
Dr. Takayuki HAYASHI
Director
GRIPS Innovation, Science and Technology (GiST) Program
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
