The 21st Century COE Program, University of the Ryukyus, provides an international summer
program to approximately ten international students for 1.5-2 months every year. Studies carried out
during the program focus on the biodiversity of the coral reef and island ecosystem. Prominent
researchers are invited to provide lectures on diverse approaches to biodiversity. The students
can gain research experience through experiments and/or field investigations in cooperation with
the lecturers.
Focus of the Summer Program in 2006:
We will provide two courses in this year. Students must choose one of them before coming to
Japan. The aim of the summer program in this year is to promote better understandings of
terrestrial biodiversity in the humid subtropics through collecting and analyzing data, and organizing
discussions accordingly. The results deriving from these practices will finally be synthesized
into a few papers that are to be published in peer-reviewed scientific periodicals.
1. SPECIES DIVERSITY, SPATIAL STRUCTURE, AND ECOLOGICAL PROPERTY OF THE HUMID SUBTROPICAL
FOREST
This course is aimed to attain comprehensive understandings of taxonomic composition, spatial
pattern, and ecological function of the so-called evergreen broadleaf forest, a climax or nearly
climax vegetation typical of the Ryukyus and adjacent regions. A series of fieldworks will be
carried out in the hilly part of Ishigakijima, southern Ryukyus.
Primary lecturers:
Prof. Akio Hagihara, Prof. Masatsugu Yokota, and Dr. Tetsurou Denda
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Sciences, University of the Ryukyus
2. IMPACT OF EXOTIC VERTEBRATES ON THE NATIVE BIODIVERSITY ON A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND
This course is aimed to develop our better understandings on the form and extent of influences
of artificially introduced terrestrial vertebrates on indigenous insular biota. A series of field
samplings and laboratory observations will be carried out on Ishigakijima, southern Ryukyus.
Primary lecturers
Prof. Hidetoshi Ota Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus
Prof. Masako Izawa, Dr. Kazunori Tachihara, and Dr. Hideyuki Imai
Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Sciences, University of the Ryukyus
Eligibility
Persons with academic achievements equivalent to Ph. D. course students or above (preferably
Ph.D. students)
Duration:
June 27 to August 20, 2006
Places:
Nishihara Campus of the University of the Ryukyus on Okinawajima (lectures), and Ishigaki City
on Ishigakijima (fieldworks)
Fees, accommodation and transportation:
The 21st Century COE program will provide the followings:
-Round trip airfare from your country to Okinawa (up to 100,000 JPY)
-Accommodation (University Dormitory, etc.)
-Transportation between the Naha Airport and the University Campus, and between islands within
the Ryukyus
Insurance and visa:
Medical insurance coverage is required before coming to Japan. Students from some countries may
need visa. Check the home page of the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html), or ask the person in charge of this program
(Prof. Masako Izawa: izawa@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp).
Program schedule:
-1st week: orientation of the program and a series of lectures on biodiversity of the Ryukyus at
the Nishihara Campus, University of the Ryukyus.
-From 2nd to 5th weeks+: fieldworks, laboratory works, data analyses, and occasional seminars on
Ishigakijima.
-Last one week: preparation of preliminary reports, oral presentation of results from each
course with discussion by all program participants, and revision of the reports into final shape.
Note: several short-term events, such as excursions to other islands, will be scattered in the
above basic schedule.
Student duties:
Before coming to Japan, discuss research interests with the person in charge of the course
(Prof. Masako Izawa: izawa@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp).
During the program, research projects will be conducted under the direct supervision of the
primary lecturers listed above with assistances by teaching assistants, etc.
All participants of the program will be required to attend to oral presentations of results
from both courses that are scheduled near the end of the program (see above).
All participants of the program will be required to attend to preparations of preliminary and
final research reports.
Application and Deadline
Fill in the application form below and e-mail or fax it to Dr. Izawa before May 20, 2006.
All inquires should be addressed to:
Prof. Masako Izawa, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science,
University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
e-mail: izawa@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Tel: +81-98-895-8541
Fax: +81-98-895-8576
URL: http://w3.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/coe/eng/index.html
