News
2025.01.20
UNU × Ritsumeikan University Cooperation Agreement Commemorative Symposium Held!
To commemorate the signing of a cooperation agreement between Ritsumeikan University and the United Nations University (UNU), the College of International Relations hosted a symposium on January 20, 2025 (Monday), under the theme of "Human Security and the SDGs."
Professor Tadamichi Yamamoto, a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, who played a key role in realizing this agreement, served as the moderator of the event. Additionally, Professor Nishimura, Dean of the College of International Relations, delivered an opening address.
From Ritsumeikan University, Associate Professors Kazushige Kobayashi and Viktoriya Kim from the College of International Relations took the stage, and delivered lectures from the perspectives of their own research fields on the topic of "human security and the SDGs".
Associate Professor Kazushige Kobayashi delivered a lecture on "War and Peace in a Changing World," addressing the evolving nature of international conflicts and how strategies for promoting peace should adapt, incorporating perspectives from the SDGs.
Associate Professor Viktoriya Kim delivered a lecture on "Gender Equity: Socio-Cultural Impediments to Women’s Leadership," focusing on gender equality and women's leadership, and discussing the impact of social and cultural factors on women's leadership roles.
The symposium attracted many students, providing a valuable opportunity to learn from the speakers' diverse perspectives on achieving a sustainable society.
In March, a formal signing ceremony for the cooperation agreement between Ritsumeikan University and the United Nations University will take place. Moving forward, both institutions will deepen their collaboration and jointly advance education and research activities toward a sustainable future.
2024.12.06
Monday, December 23, 2024 Ms. CHAULA Rininta Anindya The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
r-gsir@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
CHAULA Rininta Anindya The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2024.12.02
Graduate School Week 2024: International Career Seminar -Exploring Global Careers in International Relations-
Guest Speaker: Ms. Ana Margarida Rodrigues
Currently based in: Maputo, Mozambique
・Mozambican Humanitarian
・National Officer at UN World Food Programme
・MA in International Relations by Ritsumeikan University
Questions and Answers
Q) Could I ask a little more about why you studied at Ritumeikan, and has any connections to your job now?
A) If you are to link it to the certain subject in particular, you may not to find it so much in that sense. Probably you have to study something related to gender.
For me it was more about the topic of my master’s thesis that was the rural development. You can already imagine the type of scenarios you will find. To overcome the poverty, and all that needs that are in that area. You’ll have to be aware of the types of vulnerabilities that are there. Children are the first to suffer. For women, what kind of sensitiveness you have to have, also design projects, and contribute to projects that would be impactful to different levels of vulnerabilities. I wouldn’t talk about one subject, but in particular, for me, what guided was the end I was studying. The rural development was the main motor, and also looking at this protection.
It is about the experience that you gather. You start developing an interest even within the area of work. You start developing the interest that is looking at the specific points. When I say protection, you will look at feedback mechanisms. Feedback that you put in place so that the beneficial is of your interventions are heart, and find a way to communicate with the project. You start also getting more interests in some of the areas. It’s been a part within my career.
Q) You have already had a bachelor’s degree, but do you think you need Master’s degree to further career? Or specifically in IR, the Bachelor and your work experience are enough?
A) People also found it a bit redundant that I was doing again international relations. Despite not being a very similar looking at diplomacy before, and with my master’s, I was looking at little development but also global cooperation program. What’s particular about other studies is that it will actually broaden your mind. When you go to grad school, it’s no longer about absorbing only. It’s about having a chance to reinvent yourself but also you basically a license to think and put it down and validate what you think based on what you had as a background of scholars of books that you’ve read, and all the work you have submitted before. The scrutiny is a bit different because now you a thinker, you are becoming the thinker at that moment, so you will have that chance. I found it really necessary in that sense because it’s not only about skills at this point, but giving you the tools, mental tools to actually be able to create something.
In this field of work, you will have to be able create, you’ll be requested to have a certain way of thinking of someone who can actually come with well structured ideas and this is something that you actually can only have if you go for further studies. You’re not reproducing things, but you are a creator. For me that was the thing that I actually needed and realized that I had to pursue further studies. Also, in 2015, I was fresh out of school not bring a lot to the table in fact, but still being absorbing part of experience that I had, so I said okay from there on. I was there for a few months and after that I got the chance to come to Japan. So, it was really a path that you have to choose and be consistent again about it.
Q) How do you keep yourself mentally focused?
A) It is very difficult but you have to make sure you put your heart with a shield. You have to find a way to shield it a bit from this. Not to be distant from the situation, but in a way, you can shield it from the stories. School feeding for example. Sometimes and too often unfortunately plate of food that we provide in school is usually the only one that this child will eat during the day. Or you are saving this person from early marriage for example. Now they can go to school, learn, eat, and be actually some stories are made, but make sure you shield. I personally try to find ways to detox, and it’s really detoxing because if you keep absorbing at some point you will just reach in a breakdown. Find your own ways right to shield yourself from those situations. My way also is looking at immediate rewards that you get they call it easy wins. What is a smile of child doing to you is receiving that support that you have directly impacted into that. I remember that I had to procure the beans for example. That is child is eating. They are smiling today. They are coming school tomorrow. They have reached the end of the year without dropping out for example. Focus in the small, not small but easy wins, more visible ones that will also help you shield your heart and your emotions, because they are there. Don’t try to avoid it, try to deal with them. It’s indeed a very difficult in any humanitarian kind of situations. You have to be strong. There is no recipe.
Q) Please give us advice for people currently struggling to see the pathway they want to go in the future.
A) Do you know what you don’t want to do? Maybe start from there, what you don’t want to do at all. Make a list simple, straightforward your bullet points. What is your strong, and focus on those ones. You have an opportunity to brag a bit of what you can already do as a skill. Make a list of that. What you love doing, what you don’t absolutely want to do. You will see you already have a pattern where you want to fall in. It also means that you have to know yourself. Take your time to look into your skills. What are you curious about. It’s not only about the areas you master, but areas that will allow you to grow, because there is evolving situations, opportunities. Try to look at that because it’s your life, your career. Start somewhere that’s very difficult to do when you are 10 years in, but make sure that you will have at least plan A, plan B and you go for it. Plan A and plan B, it’s not really because you are already designing failure but what you are going to do alternatively and you will not accept setbacks.
There is no straightforward recipe.
Conclusion:
Keep working, be consistent in what you are doing, don’t stop moving in terms of personal development because it will require you what makes the difference is, what you can do, but also what you can learn faster than the others. It’s the competition world unfortunately. Don’t take things lightly, don’t waste the time, of course you can be balanced about other things to do. Maintain the focus, keep working.
For the female in particular, international career is extremely difficult in that sense when you have to balance with your personal life. What is required for you is gender rules and norms.
Do you want to move your family or not, do you want to have your family or not? All of those things you will have to think about. This is only for part I am mentioning girls because we all know that there are some norms we usually have to convey, and we face different kind of challenges throughout life. I couldn’t enclose this without making that point. Thank you.
2024.10.31
AY2025 Ritsumeikan University Graduate School Readmission Examination
Please refer to the following information for details on re-admission for the 2025 academic year, and be sure to contact the Office of the School of International Relations in advance.
◆Application period (for international students who need to obtain new “ Student” status of residence)
Re-admission for Spring semester: Sunday, December 1, 2024 - Tuesday, December 31, 2024 (JST)
Re-admission for Fall semester: Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Monday, June 30, 2025 (JST)
Contact period and contact information
Re-admission for Spring semester: by Friday, December 13, 2024 (JST)
Re-admission for Fall semester: by Friday, June 13, 2025 (JST)
Contact: r-gsir@st.ritsumei.ac.jp
◆Application Period
Re-admission for Spring semester: Saturday, February 1, 2025 - Friday, February 28, 2025 (JST)
Re-admission for Fall semester: Friday, August 1, 2025 - Sunday, August 31, 2025 (JST)
Contact period and contact information
Re-admission for Spring semester: by Friday, February 14, 2025 (JST)
Re-admission for Fall semester: by Monday, August 18, 2025 (JST)
Contact: r-gsir@st.ritsumei.ac.jp
AY2025Ritsumeikan University Graduate School Readmission Examination Guidelines (Spring/Fall)
Please note that the office will be closed during the following period due to the simultaneous winter vacation.
Winter vacation period: Thursday, December 26, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025
Summer vacation period: Saturday, August 9, 2025 - Sunday, August 17, 2025 (tentative)
GSIR Office
2024.10.24
Friday, November 22, 2024 Ms. LIANG Xiaoxian The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
r-gsir@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
LIANG Xiaoxian The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2024.10.11
Graduate School Week 2024
International Career Seminar
Guest: Ana Margarida Rodrigues, Programme Policy Officer (School Feeding), World Food Programme
Moderator: Professor Kazushige KOBAYASHI
VENUE: Live stream (Zoom)
Nov. 28 (Thu) 10:40am–12:10pm
Experience Graduate School Education!
Open class “International Organizations”
Associate Professor Kazushige Kobayashi
VENUE: Kinugasa Campus. Meigakukan-building MG002 (Face-to-face)
Dec. 6 (Fri) 2:40pm–5:50pm
Experience Graduate School Education!
Open Class “Professional Training”
Professor Sachiko ISHIKAWA
Venue: Kinugasa Campus. Keigakukan-building KG112 (Face-to-Face)
2024.06.03
AY2024 Ritsumeikan University Graduate School Readmission Examination Guidelines (Spring/Fall)
2024.04.09
Friday, April 26, 2024 Ms. CHENG Hongbo The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
r-gsir@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
CHENG Hongbo The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2024.02.26
AY2024 Application for "Post-master's Research Student & Doctoral Research Student"
Application Period:
1) Applying for spring semester enrollment/ the whole academic year:
(Wed) March 6, 2024 9am – (Tue) Mar 12, 2024 5pm
2) Applying for fall semester enrollment:
(Fri) Sep 6, 2024 9 am – (Thu) Sep 12, 2024 5pm
Application Form:
■For Post-Master's Research Student and Doctoral Research Student
✓AY 2024 Post-Master’s Research Student / Doctoral Research Student Application Guidelines
2023.12.12
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Ms. SUH HEEYOUNG The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Monday, December 25, 2023 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2023.12.05
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Mr. KITA Kazuki The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st.ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Monday, December 25, 2023 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the session format after the deadline.
Graduate School of International Relations
2023.12.05
Monday, December 18, Ms. JANG Youngjoo The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Thursday, December 14, 2023 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
JANG Youngjoo The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2023.12.01
Monday, December 18, Mr. LEE Byungchan The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Thursday, December 14, 2023 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
LEE Byungchan The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2023.08.03
AY2023 Application for "Post-master's Research Student & Doctoral Research Student"
We would like to inform you about the application guideline for "Post-master's Research Student & Doctoral Research Student".
Application Period:
- Applying for spring semester enrollment/ the whole academic year: (Fri) Mar 3, 2023 9am – (Fri) Mar 10, 2023 5pm
- Applying for fall semester enrollment: (Mon) Sep 4, 2023 9 am – (Mon) Sep 11, 2023 5pm
*The application must arrive by the due date if they’re sent by post.
Application Form:
AY 2023 Post-Master’s Research Student / Doctoral Research Student Application
"Post-master's Research Student & Doctoral Research Student" System is a system for graduates of our graduate schools to continue doing research at our facilities.
Post-master's Research Student and Doctoral research student cannot receive research instruction from faculty.
Applications can either be mailed or submitted in person at the Administrative Office, College of International Relations. (applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm on the final day of the application period if submitted in person).
The application must arrive by the due date if they’re sent by post.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
2023.06.21
Friday, July 3, Ms. OBISPO Joanna Luisa Buenaflor The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Friday, June 30, 2023 12pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
OBISPO Joanna Luisa Buenaflor The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2023.06.21
Friday, July 7, Ms. YUSY WIDARAHESTY The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 5pm (JST)
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
We will inform you the venue/class room after the deadline.
YUSY WIDARAHESTY The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2023.04.13
Friday, April 28, Mr. YANG Pengchao The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
Please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance this time.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject line, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Monday, April 24, 2023 5pm (JST)
Confirmation (By email):
The confirmation email will be sent from the GSIR office on April 26, 2023.
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
Since we need to continue to follow public health directives for gathering and social distancing, and also all attendees will be requested to wear a mask on campus, also hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance for attendees.
Seat Assignments:
In order to allow people to keep their distance in the class room, we encourage to stay socially distant from others.
YANG Pengchao The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2022.12.23
GSIR office will be closed from December 27 to January 5 for winter break.
2022.12.09
Monday, December 19, Ms. IGARASHI Mika The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation
*The schedule has been changed.
For those who wish to attend “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”
As part of the COVID-19 guidelines, please be advised that all attendees need to make reservations in advance this time.
Advance Reservation (by email only):
Please provide your name, email address, mobile phone number by email at
ir-adm@st,ritsumei.ac.jp with the subject, “The Public Oral Examination of Doctoral Dissertation”.(*If you are a student at Ritsumeikan University, also kindly provide your student ID #, faculty and Graduate school name )
Deadline:
Friday, December 16, 2022 12pm (JST)
Confirmation (By email):
The confirmation email will be sent in the afternoon, December 16, 2022.
Note:
We accept advanced reservations only.
If the number of applications exceeds the spaces available for students, a random lottery will be held.
Since we need to continue to follow public health directives for gathering and social distancing, and also all attendees will be requested to wear a mask on campus, also hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance for attendees.
Seat Assignments:
In order to allow people to keep their distance in the class room, we encourage to stay socially distant from others.
IGARASHI Mika The Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Ritsumeikan University
Graduate School of International Relations
2022.11.02