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Nagasaki University
Research Promotion & International Affairs Division

1-14 Bunkyo-machi
Nagasaki City 852-8521, Japan
Phone: +81(0)95-819-2039
Fax: +81(0)95-819-2040
 
HOME>Mission Statemant

(1) Overview of the personnel system reform plan
Under the current fixed-term system at Nagasaki University, faculty members of the Graduate School of Science and Technology, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Institute of Tropical Medicine are subject to review every five years, which has helped stimulate education and research activities. It should be noted, however, that the impact of the fixed-term system is limited in scope, because most faculty members have been employed under the mandatory retirement system, and recruitment has served as the soleムand most criticalムcheckpoint in personnel management and administration.
To rectify this situation, a tenure track system will be introduced in an effort to employ and train assistant professors on a trial basis for a period of five years, thereby significantly reducing the risk of recruitment. Indeed, the tenure track system is expected to encourage universities to take risks in recruiting young scientists who have the potential, but are not yet certain to become full-fledged scientists. Young scientists are given opportunities to independently work on new research projects in suitable research environments and develop their capabilities.
Specifically, the tenure track system will bring about the following advantages:
Assistant professors can concentrate on their independent research projects.
Assistant professors can obtain guidance and advice (primarily on research) from leaders of major research projects.
A new framework will be established under which professors designated mentors give advice in their capacity as "experienced colleagues." In particular, assistant professors can learn how to organize laboratories and work with subordinates (including students and postdoctoral fellows).
Nagasaki University can establish itself as a producer of excellent young scientists who can work for other universities etc. in Japan and abroad.
With excellent young scientists produced in the fields of major research projects, Nagasaki University can develop into an international research center.
Assistant professors are given the choice of working in either (i) the tenure system (with mandatory retirement) or (ii) the specially-appointed professor system (under which applicants are offered better treatment through rigorous evaluations). This framework is intended to motivate an increasing number of excellent scientists to pursue careers at local universities.
A number of faculty members are expected to reach retirement age during the next 10 years or so. In this context, the tenure track system can be upgraded while the balance of professors, associate professors and assistant professors is optimized.


(2) Specific goals in the third year
Interim evaluations will be conducted to check the progress in research activities and make adjustments as necessary, in terms of research strategy, laboratory management and other aspects.
Tenure will be offered without reservation to scientists who have demonstrated satisfactory performance.
Scientists who are less likely to get tenure will be informed of their status. Nagasaki University will offer extensive support to these scientists in reshaping their careers etc.
Necessary improvements will be made to system, administration etc, based on issues identified up to the third year. Meanwhile, Nagasaki  University will commence recruitment of tenure-track assistant professors in fields other than major research projects.


(3) Specific goals at the end of the tenure-track period
Tenure-track assistant professors will undergo final evaluations. If their performance is deemed excellent, tenure will be offered.
Research results will be evaluated.
A final review will be made on the tenure track system to improve system administration.
Efforts will be made to establish a mentor system.
The tenure track system will be introduced in all fields at the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Institute of Tropical Medicine.
Efforts will be made to introduce the tenure track system at other faculties/graduate schools.


(4) Efforts after the end of the tenure-track period
The メStrategy for Fostering Young Scientistsモ program is intended to introduce the tenure track system in the fields of major research projects at Nagasaki University. It is important to note that the Graduate School of Science and Technology and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences are major graduate schools at Nagasaki University, where over 95% of the universityユs students of doctor courses are enrolled, and that the Institute of Tropical Medicine is an attached laboratory. For these reasons, the tenure track system will have been introduced at most of the research-oriented faculties/graduate schools. After the end of the program, efforts will be made to fully establish and introduce the system in all other faculties/graduate schools at Nagasaki University.
Meanwhile, at Nagasaki University, research budgets are allocated to all newly appointed faculty members, as well as to exploratory research projects, before competitive research funds are procured. As the President has the discretion to allocate the budgets, there will be fine adjustments made by the end of the program, to allocate budgets focusing on young scientists. In this context, there are no budgetary issues in regard to maintaining the system.
During the next five years, far more than 100 faculty members are expected to reach retirement age, with no major obstacles in managing personnel and personnel expenses. This is literally an ideal opportunity to reform the personnel system.
This program will enable Nagasaki University to test-run, improve, refine and further develop the tenure track system.


(5) Expected impacts
Nagasaki University will reform the personnel system by introducing the tenure track system and enhancing the universityユs functions as a research center in major research projects. Through these efforts, Nagasaki University will establish a model for other local universities.
More specifically, the tenure track system is expected to help Nagasaki University serve as a COE (center of excellence) in major research projects, while stimulating the overall activities of the university and further upgrading research levels.
It is noteworthy that the program has revealed the universityユs need for systemic review on education and other fronts. Indeed, the program has already begun to revitalize Nagasaki University.
 
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