2020 JACAC Student Forum Info

Upcoming Forum: February 14-22, 2020 Hosted by Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka, Japan


Theme

The theme of this year’s Student Forum is: “Theme: Energy Politics for 21st Century: Searching for the Best Mix”.

The meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in 2011 has triggered a contentious and often emotional debate over Japan’s energy policy going forward and indeed the future of nuclear power on a global scale. The resulting political, social and legal reevaluation of energy production has resulted in some countries like Germany or South Korea opting out of nuclear power altogether, while others like the People’s Republic of China continuing with the construction of power stations. Meanwhile, concerns over environmental friendliness and finite availability of fossil fuels have put pressure on what remains the world’s most important energy source. Critics of these energy sources have called for a massive expansion of renewable energy generation, but their percentage of total energy production remains in the low single digits in both Canada and Japan. How should we deal with this plethora of issues, as we design energy policies for the current century and beyond?

We will work in groups to address issues and questions such as;

  1. How should industrialized countries like Canada or Japan plan their future energy mix?
  2. What are the priorities that define how a future energy mix should look like?
  3. How can Japan and Canada leverage their geography and/or natural resources in a sustainable way?
  4. What are the benefits and risks of each energy source?
  5. Where should actors (be they states or private enterprises) focus their resources?
  6. Should existing technologies be improved or should more money be spent on researching new ambitious technologies like fusion?
  7. How safe can or should power plants be? Who should set and watch over those standards?
  8. How to convince local communities to host power stations?

Description

With mixed-teams involving students from both Canadian and Japanese universities, the forum consists of the following:

  • Expert Lectures & discussions
  • Group work based on different topics
  • Pre-assignment to prepare for group work
  • Field trips around Tokyo
  • Final presentation at Canadian Embassy in Tokyo
  • Final individual report

This program is open to anyone with a general interest in this year’s topic. We welcome applications from students in all academic disciplines. Since all activities will be conducted in English, no prior knowledge of the Japanese language is necessary.

Location and Date

Hosted by Seinan Gakuin University  in Fukuoka, Japan. The Forum will run from February 14-22, 2020. Students will be departing from Canada and Japan in order to arrive in Fukuoka on February 14 (Friday), and will depart the city on February 22 (Saturday). All travel plans to Fukuoka and from Tokyo will be arranged by the organizing committee of the Student Forum. Students are responsible for making the necessary arrangements for any missed classes/ midterm examinations, although letters of invitation to the Forum will be provided for any students who require one.

Schedule (Tentative)

February 13, 2020ThursdayCanadian students depart
February 14, 2020FridayCanadian and Japanese students arrive, Welcome
February 15, 2020SaturdayOrientation, Lectures
February 16, 2020SundayLectures, Group work
February 17, 2020MondayLectures, Group work
February 18, 2020TuesdayLectures, Group work
February 19, 2020WednesdayGroup work, Preparation for presentation, (Move to Tokyo)
February 20, 2020ThursdayPresentations, Closing Ceremony
February 21, 2020FridayField trip
February 22, 2020SaturdayStudents depart 

Conditions for Selection of Participants

Undergraduate students or graduate students enrolled in the JACAC member institutions are eligible to apply, though the preference will be given to senior undergraduate students. Successful applicants should demonstrate a strong academic performance, interest and experiences in extra-curricular activities, and be a good team-player.

They must fulfill all of the following requirements:

  • Approximately 12 participants each from Japan and Canada will be selected. (* As a rule, we recommend one participant and one alternate from each JACAC member institution.)
  • Proficient enough in English to prepare materials, participate in discussions, and deliver presentations
  • Highly motivated students who possess a strong interest in the applicable year’s forum theme. Prior to the forum, participants should prepare themselves for fruitful discussion by researching on a specific topic of their interest relevant to the main theme
  • Students with previous year’s academic score above JASSO GPA 2.0* will be prioritized.

How to Calculate GPA for JASSO

  • Be able to participate in all the planned activities of the forum
  • No withdrawal will be allowed after participants are selected. Students must fully understand the requirements and the details of the program before submitting their applications.
  • No extended stay in Japan beyond the duration of the forum is allowed.

Cost

Participation Fee: Free**
**Canadian students are required to pay 80,000 Yen for international air fee prior to the program. However this amount will be balanced out from the scholarship which will be provided on the first day of the program. (80,000 Yen per head).

The Japan-Canada Student Forum will cover the costs for:
  • Transportation to Tokyo and return
    • Participants from Canada: Flight expenses from the nearest international airport to Fukuoka Airport, from Fukuoka to Tokyo, and from Tokyo to the nearest international airport where they embarked.
    • Participants from Japan: Flight expenses (express train) from home city to Fukuoka, from Fukuoka to Tokyo, and from Tokyo to home city.
  • Accommodation expenses in Japan
    • Accommodation around Fukuoka, Japan
    • Accommodation in Tokyo
Participants are responsible for the following expenses:
  • Meals
  • Local ground transportation expenses (home-airport return trip and Tokyo transits),
  • Incidental expenses at accommodation
  • Passport and Visa acquisition fees
  • Travel insurance

How to Apply

Canadian Students

Application deadline: Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Canadian students should submit the following to their own universities:

  • Complete application form
  • Original copy of academic transcript(s)
  • Statement of Intent; details include:
    • 500 words maximum
    • Please be sure to include the following points:
      • How will this program benefit you in your current academic program
      • Comment on any experience working in a team

Canadian Application Form (PDF)
Canadian Application Form (Word)

Japanese Students

Application Deadline: Please check your own university’s schedule (Application will start from the end of September)
Japanese Students should submit the following to their own universities

  • Complete application form
  • Original copy of academic transcript(s)
  • Other documents required by your own university (if any)

Japanese Application Form (PDF)
Japanese Application Form (Word)

Method of Selection

Review of documents by Japan-Canada Student Forum Committee

Note

We thank all applicants for their interests; however, only those individuals selected for participation in the Forum will be contacted. The winners will be announced in early November by the Prince Takamado Japan Centre, University of Alberta.