The Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) allows researchers employed at designated Japanese research institutions and laboratories to invite fellow researchers from other countries to Japan to participate in discussions, attend seminars, give lectures, or perform similar duties at their institutions.
Funded by a subsidy from the Japanese government, these fellowship programs are designed to promote international cooperation and mutual understanding through scientific research.
To be eligible for a JSPS Fellowship, the scientist/engineer must be a researcher with an excellent record of research achievements who, in principle, is employed full-time at an overseas research institution.
The selection of Fellows is conducted by JSPS's selection committee based on the five criteria listed below.
1. That the collaboration will contribute to advancing science in Japan and counterpart country.
2. That the collaboration can be expected to advance research in the subject field.
3. That the applicant (host researcher) and candidate have established contact in advance and created a concrete research plan.
4. That the plan has as its objective joint research or other collaborative activities between the Japanese researcher(s) and overseas researcher(s).
5. That, as much as possible, preference is not given to the candidate's nationality, host institution, or field of specialization.
Professor Demitris Kouris of the Department of Mechanical Engineering has been awarded a Research Fellowship by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
He will travel to Japan in October in order to give a number of talks and conduct research with Japanese colleagues at Saitama University, Tohoku University, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
This will be Prof. Kouris' second visit to Japan in 2005. As a result of his 10-day visit last May, exchange agreements have been signed with the Colleges of Engineering at Tohoku and Saitama Universities. These agreements provide our Engineering students the opportunity to study in Japan for a year. They also promote scientific exchange and research collaboration between the faculty of our Universities.