Dean's Message
As We Enter our 10th Year...
The Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), University of Tokyo, founded in April 2004, is welcoming 10th cohort of entering students. First, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have supported us through the many difficulties that we have faced since the founding of this School.
We have sent out around 760 graduates into the “real” world. As young professionals who have majored in public policy, many of the graduates now play important roles in governments of various countries, or in municipal offices. In recent years, an increasing number of graduates have found positions in financial institutions and in manufacturers. This is a reflection of an increasing awareness among the private sector that study of public policy is important and useful for their businesses. We feel it is fortunate that public policy is gaining higher status in the minds of corporate executives as well as government officials. Some graduates also move on to Ph.D. courses. All these developments make us become aware of our great responsibility in the society.
Since its founding, GraSPP has made the utmost efforts to “internationalize.” Since the introduction of the international program (MPP/IP) in the fall/winter semester of the fiscal year 2010, the number of foreign students has increased rapidly. The program is gaining its reputation quickly and we have secured scholarship slots provided by international institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and International Monetary Fund. At the end March 2013, foreign students accounted for one-third of the 260 students enrolled in the GraSPP, thus creating a very cosmopolitan environment for learning. Friendship developed among future leaders of different countries over the course of two years of learning together will contribute better communication and collegiality among policy makers in the future.
In 2012, GraSPP formally joined GPPN, an international network of renowned graduate schools for public policy around the world, including the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University (SIPA), Sciences Po Paris, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, Institute of Public Affairs at London School of Business, Hertie School of Governance and the School of Business Administration of São Paulo at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV-EAESP). We have already had exchange and double degree programs with a majority of them. GraSPP now provides an even more challenging and fascinating learning environment for globally motivated students.
On the basis of what we have constructed since the founding of the school, we, the faculty members, are determined to strive for the further development of GraSPP to equip future leaders with better knowledge, communication skills and network of friends. We ask for your generous support and encouragement for the future of GraSPP, which is now marking its 10th year.