Join us/Scholarship
We at the infrastructure management laboratory invite outstanding international master’s and doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers as new members to join and work with us. Our students, particularly doctoral students, are highly supported and encouraged to create edge-leading contributions in the field to be eventually disseminated in top international journals.
Although Japanese skills benefit your daily life in Japan, completing your research works in Japanese won’t be easy. You must indicate your good English skills to join our research team since we communicate and collaborate in English. Like the minimum requirement for the MEXT scholarship application, you are expected to present an English level B2 or higher in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) as a minimum score. B2 in CEFR may be almost equivalent to 5.5 in IELTS, 72 in TOEFL iBT, and 680 in TOEIC. In addition, excellent research capability with high motivation is strongly recommended, which may be proved by your outstanding academic achievements (e.g., academic transcripts) in the previous levels and the list of publications.
Finally, although living costs in Hiroshima are relatively cheap in Japan, you need to prepare your financial support plan carefully to ensure your convenient student life in Japan. A couple of scholarships from the Japanese government, local governments, private foundations, and local international associations are available, as introduced in the following sections.
Overview of study in Japan
You can see an overview of study in Japan in the following site by Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) supported by the Japanese government: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/
Also, you can find information for incoming international students, including student support, from the following site by Hiroshima University: https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/international
MEXT scholarship
The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT: Monbukagakusho) provides MEXT scholarships supporting international students to study in Japanese universities. The candidates are selected based on the recommendations of the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General in their country or Hiroshima University. For the Embassy Recommendation, please contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your country directly. For the University Recommendation, the candidates are usually selected in January for enrollment in October of next year, based on the recommendation from potential supervisors. If you are interested in the application for this scholarship, feel free to get in touch with Dr. Khaji in November or December.
MEXT scholarship site (in Japanese): http:/www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/06032818.htm
JICA Program
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also supports your study in Japan through several programs. Our laboratory accepts doctoral students supported by JICA. One of the programs for doctoral study at Hiroshima University is the JICA SDGs Global Leader Program, where JICA aims to foster junior/mid-level government officials, academicians, and leading human resources. The nomination of applicants in the respective organization is generally conducted in October for enrollment in the following October. For pre-screening, select Dr. Naser Khaji at the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering Program) of Hiroshima University as your supervisor in your application. If you are interested in the application, please contact your nearest JICA Overseas Office directly.
JICA SDGs Global Leader Program site: https://www.jica.go.jp/dsp-chair/english/dsp/course/content/sdgs_global_leader.html
Postdoctoral researchers
Excellent postdoctoral researchers are also welcome. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships are the most promising for all candidates planning international research activities in our laboratory. If you are interested in the application for the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships, please get in touch with Dr. Khaji.
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan site: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/
Voices from Graduates
Mr. Masato Miwa (Japanese, Bachelor’s degree in 2023)
Looking back on my year in the Infrastructure Management Laboratory, I feel that I was able to continue my research thanks to the generous support of my professors, friends, and especially my labmates and Dr. Khaji. Especially in the group seminars, I was able to learn many things, such as how to exchange opinions, how to actively come up with ideas, and how to solve problems. In addition, my professors and friends were always ready to lend a helping hand whenever I was at a standstill. Also, since there are many international students in the lab, it is a very good environment for Japanese students to practice using English on a daily basis. I feel that I have grown a lot in the last year, and the way of thinking I learned in the lab has enabled me to still strive to have a positive mindset and flexible thinking in order to achieve results. If you are interested in research, warm friends, and communication using English, why not join us?
