14. Kobe Institute of Computingsv2.jice.org/Kobe_Agri.pdf · 2013. 12. 27. · 3) Halal food available in cafeteria Available (Many Shops) KITANO area has many halal restaurants Others

Kobe Institute of Computing

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14. Kobe Institute of Computing (Private)

Study Area: Agriculture

1. Basic Information

Fields of Study Specific Research Fields

2. Irrigation, Water and Soil

Management

3. Rural Development

7. Others

5. Irrigation, On-Farm Water Development and

Management

8. Rural Infrastructure Development

9. Rural Community Development

10. Agriculture Extension

11. Agriculture Cooperatives

12. Public Health Control

23. Agriculture

27. Forestry and Natural Resources

28. Natural Resource Management

30.Agriculture Engineering

1-1 Graduate School

(URL of Graduate School)

Graduate School of Information Technology

http://ict4d.kic.ac.jp/en/

1-2 Program Name ICT Innovator Course, Master’s Degree Program

1-3 Degrees

Master of Science in Information Systems

(the degree is one of the Engineering field)

While mastering computer skill from the foundation

(about half of lectures), in each field, we provide

programs in which you can study the practical

technique for using ICT technology for solving social

issues.

1-4 Status Graduate School Student (2years)

1-5 Credits and years needed

for graduation 40 credits and 2 years for Master’s course.

1-6 Classes taught in English Class: 26/26（Classes in English/ All classes）

Text: All English

1-7 Desirable English Level TOEFL IBT:76 PBT:540 (ELTS:5.5)

1-8 Prior Inquiry From Applicants

(Before submission of AF)

Must/Ideal/Not Mandatory/Unnecessary

Contact: Ms.Ikumi Yoshimoto,[email protected]

1-9 Message for Applicants Kobe Institute of Computing (KIC) is dedicated to support

http://ict4d.kic.ac.jp/en/index.htmlmailto:[email protected]


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our students and graduates. We will make sure that the

knowledge and ideas learned at KIC will be actually used

in the field, and we make sure that we will be proud of the

results achieved by our graduates. KIC’s faculty and staffs

are available to guide students during their studies, and to

assist them when they start their development work. KIC

has created the ‘Tankyu Lab’ system for this follow-up task.

1-10 Additional Information Availability/ Number Note

Japanese Language

1) Necessity of Japanese language for

study No

All courses and Research activities are in English

2) Availability of Japanese language class

Available Free Japanese language class

Foreign Students

1) Number of foreign students enrolled in

past 3years 53

2) Number of PEACE participants

currently enrolled 2 3

rd batch(2)

3) Number of female/male at the

Graduate School

Female 6 Male 47

Female 1 Male 10

(Current foreign students)

Facility Information

1) Dormitory available for PEACE

participants Available

2) Prayers room Available

3) Halal food available in cafeteria Available

(Many Shops) KITANO area has many halal restaurants

Others

（1） Tutor system Available

（2） English counseling Available

2．Features of University

Kobe Institute of Computing (KIC) has 54 years of rich history. It is now one of the major institutes for

professional, vocational, practice-oriented education in IT and digital technology-related industrial fields

in the Western part of Japan. KIC is the alma mater to more than 17,000 students and has 1600 students

as for May 2012. KIC Graduate School of Information Technology is founded in 2007, as one of the few

graduate school which provides ‘IT professional Master degree’ in Japan. The students are valued for

their skills and the knowledge of IT, and as a result they are on a high demand from various firms.


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Kobe is blessed with natural beauty such as Mt.

Rokko and the Seto Inland Sea. This city is located

almost in the center in Japan. The average yearly

temperature is 16.8°C (max. 34.5°C /min. -3.5°C in

2003). Annual rainfall amount is 1,538.0 mm in

2003. It means that it is very comfortable, namely,

warm in winter and cool in summer relatively in

Japan where the four seasons are very distinct. Its

population is about 1,520,000, which is the 6th-largest in Japan. Over 44,500 foreigners and over 1,800

students from 117 countries including Afghanistan, China, South Korea, U.S.A, Arabic countries live here.

It has flourished as a representative trading port of Japan with the world. It is conveniently located, for

example it takes about three hours from Tokyo. The Kobe Airport has opened in Feb. 2006 to fly to

various cities in Japan.

Also, Kobe is very Muslim friendly. There is a Mosque just 5mins walk from our campus, Halal meals are

available at the restaurants and Halal foods can be found at groceries.

3．Features of the Graduate School

- The first ICT4D (social development utilizing ICT) course in Japan.

This course is the first course providing the knowledge and know-how, with practical expertise

- Global collaboration and learning environment of students and Japanese students.

International students and Japanese students who aim to be leaders at Japanese companies, and to

contribute to the development of the international society, will be studying together in this course. This

collaborative learning helps to form a human network between Afghanistan and Japan.


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- This is a program to develop ICT Social Innovators

The curriculum is arranged to foster Social Innovators in ICT4D, who discover the social issues then

develop the society with utilizing ICT. The experience obtained with the program ‘Problem Resolution

for Development Issues by Information-Communication Technology’ commissioned by JICA has

contributed to the development of this program.

- Problem solving practice ‘Tankyu Practice’

Problem solving practice called 'Tankyu Practice' is a program of enhancing one's technical and

human strengths, by contributing to society through utilizing one’s skills and experience. President Prof.

Toshiki Sumitani, who invented the method of ‘Tankyu’, is also a researcher and a practitioner of this

method. He dedicates himself to spreading the 'Tankyu Practice', which is a proven, student-oriented

method of social entrepreneurship.

Please see Annex 1 for detailed information on the program.

4．Features of the Program and Curriculum in each Field of Study

ICT4D is Attracting Attention in Developing Countries

In developing countries such as those in Africa, a multitude of problems including poverty, improving

efficiency in agriculture, education and health care, remain unsolved. Even electricity and water supply,

parts of the infrastructure that are taken for granted in developed countries, are not adequately available.

Although developed countries including Japan have extended considerable support in the form of

financial aid, human resources and technology, their effects have yet to spread far enough.

In these circumstances, an approach using ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to develop

the social economy of developing countries is gaining attention.

This approach has been coined as ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for

Development). In recent years, even in developing countries, Internet and mobile phone networks are

rapidly coming into wide use. Further, OSS (Open Source Software) has become widespread on a global

basis, making software development possible at no cost providing there is access to a computer. By

putting these resources to practical use, it is becoming possible to develop systems useful in solving

problems in developing countries both quickly and at low cost.

Case Studies of ICT4D


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Information terminals are placed in each rural community. ICT solution center will deliver programs of

fundamental education and increase the literacy rate in there. Also services for remote medical and

regular medical checkup are provided rural people through this information delivering system. To create

job opportunities, information for increasing productivity of primary industries is delivered as web

contents. The maintenance of ecosystem and monitoring environmental conditions are established as

new industries.

Learning from Japanese experience in ICT4D

It was in 1960s when Japan entered the era of economic development using ICT such as computer and

network. Then in 1980s, technically advanced ICT started to be used on daily basis in office and at home.

That is, ICT has become an effective tool in the area of social development. ICT is now widely applied in

various sectors such as financial service sector such as banking, transportation sector such as railway

ticket, and other social services such as medical and education sector. Since mobile phone and internet

has been widely used, we cannot now live without ICT. ICT is a power to trigger social innovation that

leads to new appealing products and service. By learning ICT4D in Japan, you will be able to

learn/understand the advanced ICT implementation widely applied in Japan. Leaning from Japan’ s

ICT4D experiences will equip you with the ability to create your social innovation utilizing ICT.

Education Architecture

The program consists of ICT related courses and Social development and innovator courses as shown in

the “Tankyu Pyramid” chart below. The axis of the program is the sequence of ‘Tankyu (Inquiry) Practice’

through ‘Specific Theme Study A’ to ‘Specific Theme Study B’ , with the support of the theoretical and

applied subjects that are required to this practice, including social development and innovator courses,

together with ICT-related courses.

The hands-on exercises and experiments have their focus on group work, targeted at improving the

acquisition of professional practical knowledge and human skills.


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Teaching of ‘Tankyu Practice’ is achieved by absorbing the core theory and practical methods through

the repetition of the cycle of ‘Lectures --- Exercises --- Presentations’. It is an active learning model,

centered on case studies so students experience a practice close to practical problem-solving. Exercises

and experiments are also basically carried out in this form.

Master students have to take 40 credits at least in two years. The curriculum is categorized with ICT

basic and Problem Solving Practice in order to learn ICT4D systematically. The curriculum focuses on


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case study. In Problem solving Practice, the knowledge and the skills acquired in the basic classes are

used comprehensively.

You will study fundamental through lectures and exercises. Your research supervisor will be assigned

about six month after enrollment based on your research topic. Students are expected to research on

the solutions of social issues of your interest utilizing ICT, therefore, your research topics are not

necessarily the same as those of supervisors written below.

For your reference, Please see Annex 2 for detailed information on the courses 2013 offered in this

program.

5．Academic Schedule

One school year has 6 terms; each term is about 2 months.

Outline of the Academic Calendar

Oct. Start of the ICT4D Master's Program

Oct. - Nov. Fall 1st Term

Dec. - Jan Fall 2nd Term

Feb. - Mar. Fall 3rd Term

Apr. - May Spring 1st Term

Jun. - Jul. Spring 2nd Term

Aug. - Sep. Spring 3rd Term

Oct. - Nov. Fall 1st Term (2nd Year)

Dec. - Jan Fall 2nd Term (2nd Year)

Dec. 27 – Jan. 7 Winter Holidays

Feb. - Mar. Fall 3rd Term (2nd Year)

Apr. - May Spring 1st Term (2nd Year)

Jun. - Jul. Spring 2nd Term (2nd Year)

Aug. - Sep. Spring 3rd Term (2nd Year)

Sep. (end of 2nd school year) Graduation

6．Facilities

- Students residence

- Prayer Space

- Library

- Class rooms / Laboratories

- Self-study room

- Seminar hall


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7．List of faculty members (supervisors) capable of guiding Afghan participants in English-

Position Name Research Subject / Contact

President of Kobe Institute of Computing, Professor

Toshiki Sumitani (Mr.)

Research Subject

“Tankyu Practice”, Problem Solving, New Business Development, Entrepreneurship Fields of Study Project Management / Administration and Management

Contact

[email protected]

Special message for the Future students

”Tankyu Practice” has been developed by Prof. Toshiki Sumitani, as a method of social innovation and development. It is widely recognized as a valid and effective methodology of solving social issues by an active, action-oriented process. It is used throughout KIC's courses, and also at other schools, like e.g. at the 'i-school' of Tokyo University. KIC has been using the “Tankyu Practice” method with success in giving trainees from many countries a foundation in solving their own social issues with the power of ICT technologies and their own human skills.

An Example of “Tankyu” Chart

Professor Sandor Markon (Dr.) (Mr.)

Research Subject

Interface Technologies, Simulation-Based Optimization, Linear Motor Elevators, Embedded Systems Fields of Study Electrical Engineering

Contact

[email protected] http://pub.kic.ac.jp/~markon/


There is a lot of debate about what kind of IT technology is suitable for application in developing countries. Since numerous companies require commercial software skills (Windows, MS Office, and so on), some people say it is necessary to learn the skills required for those types of software. That is quite correct, but it does not end there. At KIC, students begin with studying the fundamentals of open source software (OSS), for example, Linux, Apache and Android. By acquiring these skills, students are able to become active participants as opposed to passive observers. Instead of simply ‘utilizing’ software

http://pub.kic.ac.jp/~markon/


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developed by other people, students with OSS skills are capable of launching new projects and ‘creating’ new concepts for society. In the future, such students will also be in a position to give guidance on the use of OSS. KIC students themselves can become the seeds for growth in new industries.

Professor

Hisato Shima (Mr.) (Mr.)

Research Subject

Network Service and its clients, Network Security Fields of Study Computer Science, Project Management / Administration and Management

Contact

[email protected]


Information and Communication Technologies are getting widely available in worldwide, including countries under development. Especially, Cellular networks and inexpensive smart phones enable many people to access information, and to communicate with other peoples. For example, weather and climate information, market information are essential for farmers. For merchants, access to bank services or money transfer services is necessary. Network services and its portable terminals can be used in developed countries to solve social issues, to improve life and to have fun. Let's study to become innovator who solves problems utilizing information and communication technologies.

Specially ap-pointed pro-fessor

Ryuji Matsunaga (Mr.)

Research Subject

International Cooperation, Environment, JICA’s Activities Fields of Study Project Management / Administration and Management, Public Policy / Public Administration, Enterprise and Privatization, Urban Planning, Environmental Engineering, GIS(Geographical Information System), Agriculture Engineering, MIS(Management Information System), Rural Development

Contact

[email protected]


Problems in developing countries are (i) Absolute lack or uneven distribution, (ii) Deterioration of quality and environment, (iii) disaster such as flood and landslide, (iv) Disorderly development of resources. To tackle these problems, JICA cooperates in four fields, (1) Safe and stable supply, (2) Conservation of environment, (3) Enhancement of disaster control capacity to protect lives and property, (4) Promotion of comprehensive resources management. JICA has been providing cooperation, Prepare short- and long-term plans, Conduct investigations and design for constructing facilities, Develop human resources and increase the capacity of organizations as a whole, Improve facilities. I lecture those JICA’s activities, experiences, and strategy in all sectors.

Associate pro-fessor

Takuzo Osugi (Dr.) (Mr.)

Research Subject

Social development through ICT


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Fields of Study Rural Development, Project Management / Administration and Management, Public Policy / Public Administration

Contact

[email protected]


My research interest is social development through ICT, that is, ICT4D. I am thinking about how we could apply ICT to use as an effective tool for social development. I have conducted my research both domestically and internationally. My research fields range from rural mountainous areas in Japan to large countries like China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia, as well as Bangladesh in South Asia. During my field work on the ground, I identify social issues, examine the solutions utilizing ICT, and develop and implement a real-world project, often in collaboration with an international organization.

Lecturer Teruaki Yokoyama (Dr.) (Mr.)

Research Subject

Internet Technologies and Applications Fields of Study Computer Science

Contact

[email protected]


I'm a lecturer who researching about the Internet itself and its related technologies. One of the greatest benefits of the Internet is its openness. Almost of the technologies are opened in public. You can see and touch them freely. The Internet has become very popular and quite useful communication infrastructure among the various kinds of things on the Earth. If you learn how to use the Internet technologies, you can create your own services on the Internet and employ the Internet communication for your service. Let's join in and play with the technologies together.

Asssistant professor

Samiullah Paracha (Mr.)

Research Subject

ICT in Education particularly eLearning, Digital Game-based Learning, Virtual Learning Environments, Computer Mediated Language Learning, Educational Media & Instructional Technologies and Learner Centered Design

Fields of Study ICT in Education

Contact

[email protected]


ICTs are critical drivers of development in the world today, and are shaping the future to be knowledge and information focused. It is commonly recognized that of all the various pushes to the future, ICTs are amongst the most influential and paradigm-changing. It follows, therefore, that emerging ICTs be strategically and wisely designed and mediated to ensure their cumulative effects bring positive benefits to


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societies. In the case of KIC, an increasingly complexified global information environment has given rise to this unique institute dedicated to the studies of ICT4D. It symbolizes a novel amalgam coupling ICTs with the metaphor of 'sustainable development', in recognition of the imperative of appropriately positioning ICTs within living dynamic societies. Representing a new style of teaching, KIC is destined to venture where others dare not by exploiting the distinctiveness of its curricula, internationally-oriented academic staff, vigorous research portfolio, and focusedness of vision. Academic challenge, cultural diversity, and a fabulous environment await foreign students who want to shape their future through ICTs at KIC.

8. Message from PEACE participants

SOKOUT, Hamidullah - PEACE 3rd Batch participant

Student of ICT Innovator Master’s Course, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

I came to Japan in September 2013, to be a part of the ‘ICT Innovator Course’ at Kobe Institute of Com-

puting (KIC). I believe that research in ICT and education can usher in a promising new era of fraternity,

peace, prosperity and harmony in Afghanistan. I hope my research will ignite the fire of transformational

change in the hearts of Afghan youth through empowerment, motivation and education thereby, creating

change agents for a prosperous Afghanistan. My major motivation is to increase my understanding of the

social issues and to improve my ICT know-how to be able to find out creative solutions of the existing

problems. Furthermore, Kobe is one of the most cosmopolitan, modern and multicultural cities in Japan

with foreign residents from over 110 countries. Interacting with people has always fascinated me. We

have so many people (Muslims, Japanese, Hindus, Christians etc.) living side by side peacefully. Today

is an era of globalization and English is known as universal language of this increasingly globalize

world. Hence, reading, writing, and speaking English is very important for communication. I’m also taking

full advantage of KIC English club and working tirelessly to improve my English proficiency. I envisage

KIC as a key venue for fostering people with not only analytical and technological skills, but with individ-

ual expressiveness as well."


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AHMADI, Abdul Rashid - PEACE 3rd Batch participant

Student of ICT Innovator Master’s Course, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Hi, this is Abdul Rashid Ahmadi from Kabul (Afghanistan). I’m pursuing my Master’s degree at Kobe In-

stitute of Computing with dreams and aspirations of a brighter future. I got interested in KIC after receiv-

ing information from JICA (Afghanistan Office) and after surfing KIC website. My fascination with Infor-

mation and Communication Technology (ICT) has been the driving factor behind my decision to opt for a

degree in ICT for development. During my undergraduate coursework I worked on small projects of lim-

ited scope. However, in my graduate works, I would like to explore the scalability, reliability, and security

issues involved with creating large distributed systems. I would like to know the recent advances in tech-

nologies and various techniques that have played a significant role in the design and development of

large real-world systems. After I receive my Master’s degree, I plan to pursue a teaching career at uni-

versity and an ICT specialist of software industry, at the same time. As such, I would be benefiting the

society in two ways: (i) as a teacher; and (ii) as an ICT innovator (i.e., creating innovative professional

career.

Documents

14. Kobe Institute of Computingsv2.jice.org/Kobe_Agri.pdf · 2013. 12. 27. · 3) Halal food available in cafeteria Available (Many Shops) KITANO area has many halal restaurants Others