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5 years of ICYS
In striving to become the world’s leading research organization, the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) planned bold reform of the research system itself, whereby the Institute would open its doors to the world, attracting talented researchers from near and far, and provide a unique environment for nurturing successive creative research. Thus, the International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) was inaugurated in September 2003 with the support of a Science and Technology Promotion Subsidy of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Prior to establishment, goals of ICYS were made clear in the mission statement: “Developing a new research management system to nurture creative research”; “setting strategic interdisciplinary fields”; and “establishing an international network”. With these goals, the project was intended to upgrade the research environment in NIMS and in the whole nation to an international level.
In the past 5 years, ICYS received applications from 883 people from 61 countries, of which 81 young researchers of 27 nationalities were accepted. In the international environment of ICYS where English is spoken as the common language, ICYS researchers could steadily proceed with their researches while receiving support from bilingual technical and administrative staff. At the same time, by encouraging independent research in a stimulating environment with young multinational researchers gathered together in one place, which we call a “melting pot”, new ideas were elicited and led to original research that produced excellent results. More than three papers were published per researcher per year, and many of them appeared in top scientific journals. This is an outstanding achievement in comparison with other institutes as well as inside NIMS. ICYS researchers also furthered their careers: 14 ICYS researchers received permanent positions at NIMS. The tenure track, which NIMS has long wished to create, was realized by ICYS for the first time in NIMS’ history. Meanwhile, ICYS has actively been expanding its international network by signing comprehensive collaborative agreements or MoUs with overseas research institutes to ensure recruitment of young talent from those institutes. Currently, ICYS has 16 research institutes with which it has signed MoUs. ICYS’ efforts to establish an international network play an important role for NIMS, particularly for NIMS’ international programs such as the International Joint-Graduate School, International Collaboration Program, and Foreign Faculty Invitation Program.
The achievements of the research management for the 5 years of ICYS are being disseminated to the rest of NIMS to promote internationalization throughout the Institute, facilitate use of human resources and accelerate expansion of its international network. Based on the experience of ICYS, NIMS established International Materials Nano Architectronics (MANA) in October 2007.
This website summarizes our status and activities from the date of establishment to March 2008, focusing on fostering young researchers and internationalization at ICYS. We hope it offers a deeper understanding of our activities.
Teruo KISHI
President of NIMS, Executive Director of ICYS
Yoshio BANDO
Director-General of ICYS
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