The University’s special emphasis on the promotion of international exchanges with overseas universities has been stimulated by the role of Yokohama, a major port and the second largest city in Japan, as a point of contact with other countries. Yokohama is the vibrant heart of a civilization which has received direct influence from the West and then integrated these influences into the development of present-day Japan.

The City of Yokohama has a well-developed infrastructure network. Because of its central location, Yokohama has had excellent access to theoretical and practical information available through various international agencies of the government, and Yokohama National University has been closely involved in issues of infrastructure management. Much of this experience and knowledge is applicable to the infrastructure development needs of developing countries.

The Infrastructure Management Program is formally administered by the International Graduate School of Social Sciences’ International and Business Law Department, but it is in fact jointly planned and conducted by all of YNU’s graduate schools. In working toward a Master’s Degree through the Infrastructure Management Program, students will study in areas associated with the International Graduate School of Social Sciences, the graduate schools of Education, Engineering, and Environmental and Information Sciences as well as the International Student Center.

In applying for admission to the program, applicants should note the following:

1. The Master’s Program in Infrastructure Management is oriented to training government officials with present or future management responsibility and an academic background in the field of engineering.?Women are encouraged to apply. Applicants must:

(a) have completed undergraduate work in engineering or an equivalent field of study;

(b) be 35 years of age or under as of April 1, 2011;

(c) have at least 4 years of practical experience involving responsibility for infrastructure development; and

(d) be in good health (semifinalists will be required to submit a health certificate signed by their doctor.)

2. Because the entire program is carried out in English, applicants must provide evidence of a satisfactory level of English competence, either by enclosing the result of the official TOEFL/IELTS (or an equivalent English proficiency examination) or by proving that they have completed a university program conducted mainly in English. TOEFL institution code for Yokohama National University is 0410 and department code for Infrastructure Management Program is 88 (International Relations).

3. Letters of reference or recommendation from two different people must be provided to support the application. One of these must be from a person who has supervised the applicant in a work situation and the other from a professor at the university from which the applicant graduated.

4. It is preferred that successful candidates arrange for a leave of absence from their employer for the two-year period during which they are to participate in the program. This leave should assure their re-employment after completion of the program.

Contact detail: jwbimp14@ynu.ac.jp

Moreinfo: http://www.igss.ynu.ac.jp/imp/ynu_r/howtoapply/howtoapply.htm