Our program is aimed at enhancing not only students' specialized knowledge and skills, but also their project management and communication abilities through interaction with their mentors. The ultimate goal of the program is to foster next-generation leaders who will play a major role on the global stage by improving practical skills to cope with dynamic social needs and future uncertainties.

Our Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering was granted a two-year mentoring program (2005-2006) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under a grant category of "Incentive for Attractive Education in Graduate Schools" The program started operational in late 2005.

This program is aimed at providing practical training to young promising intellectuals who will play a major role in Japan's future development. This program has two phases. The Mentor System provides students the opportunities to obtain academic and career path advice from well-known mentors working at private companies or research institutes in Japan and abroad. The second phase, Project-based Leader Program provides future leaders the opportunities to engage in the on-going research projects, through which they will learn management and practical skills from senior mentors.

This program is an excellent opportunity for students with respect to future career path. It is our desire to have active participation of the students.

Please explore our website for more details about the program and its activities.

Prof. Dr. Akikazu Kaga
Head, Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering
Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University

The term "mentor" originates from Mentor, the name of a character in Homer's poem the Odyssey, which describes Odysseus's life in exile after the Trojan War. In the ancient Greek language, a mentor meant a "person who guides, understands, and supports the successor to the throne." In modern terms, it means any individual who acts as an advisor, instructor, guardian, educator, or supporter. In our program, a mentor refers to a person who acts as a leader or advisor using his or her wide range of work experience.