| JAPANESE |
In 2009, Kyoto University inaugurated the Hakubi Project to Foster and Support Young Researchers, in which the University appoints promising young researchers as program-specific faculty members (associate professor/assistant professor under the annual salary system) and supports their research activities on themes of their own choices, so as to develop visionary researchers who will pioneer new paths in their respective academic fields.
Kyoto University has been in the process of reassessing “The Hakubi Project” to Foster and Support Young Researchers. For the purpose of developing visionary researchers who will pioneer new paths in their respective fields and lead the next generation, the Project supports 2 types of appointment global type following the past recruitment system, and tenure-track type (https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/jinzai/takuetsu/), part of “the Leading Initiative for Excellent Young Researchers (LEADER)” subsidized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan (MEXT).
A screening council called the Hakuraku Council plays the central role in screening candidates for appointment. At the first screening, the Expert Committee (under the Council) consisting of specialists from different academic fields will examine application documents, focusing on academic achievements. Next, at the second screening, the Hakuraku Council under the Hakubi center will conduct interviews (in either Japanese or English). In addition to the applicants’ academic achievements, the Council will evaluate their potential to become leading figures in the future global academic community. Next, the Steering Committee of the Center (responsible for the management and organization of the Hakubi Project) will make the final decision as to who is accepted as Hakubi researcher.