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Master Plan for Gender Equality

School of Science Master Plan for Gender Equality

Approved by the Faculty Council Meeting on March 21, 2008.

In accordance with the spirit of the School of Science Charter and the University of Tokyo's ‘Gender-Equal Participation Basic Plan’, the School of Science establishes this basic plan to realize an ideal environment for education and research in the field of science.

(1) Basic Principles

The School of Science, in its pursuit of advancing cutting-edge education and research in science that will shape a prosperous and peaceful future society, declares its commitment to knowledge creation and dissemination, talent development, autonomous management and institutional development, the elimination of discrimination and prejudice, and societal contribution. In particular, we are resolute in our determination to confront discrimination and prejudice based on factors such as gender, nationality, ethnicity, and religion, and we approach this with a universal and free spirit.

The University of Tokyo was established in 1877, but the admission of female students was only permitted after 1946. Today, the proportion of female graduates remains limited, and the percentage of female faculty members is also low. The same situation exists in the School of Science. To achieve our goals of advancing and developing education and research and training individuals to become global leaders, it is imperative to create a society in which individuals can fully express their personality and abilities without regard to their gender.

The School of Science is committed to actively engaging in activities to realize the ideal of gender equality in science education and research. We will collaborate with the entire university and implement our own plans to achieve this goal.

(2) Basic Policies

1. Ensuring Equal Opportunities

We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all members of the School of Science, including faculty members, staff, students, and researchers. We strive to create an environment in which everyone can fully demonstrate their abilities and is valued as an individual, and in which no one is subjected to discriminatory treatment based on their gender. Ensuring equal opportunities is essential for us to realize our mission as an educational and research institution.

2. Removing Factors Hindering Gender Equality

We continuously review our educational and research structures, employment systems, policies, environment, and practices to identify and address any factors that may hinder gender equality. We are committed to eliminating such factors whenever they are identified.

3. Promoting Gender Equality in Decisions Regarding Education, Research, and Employment

We are committed to promoting gender equality in decisions related to education, research, and employment. To this end, we will actively provide opportunities for either gender to the extent needed to achieve gender equality.

4. Promoting Gender Equality in Advancing Science Education and Research

We will establish a framework based on the principles of gender equality to maximize the promotion of science education and research.

(3) Basic Strategies

1) Gender Equality in Education

  1. We will provide training to members of the School of Science to promote gender equality and create an environment in which students do not face disadvantages based on their gender. Specifically, we will conduct awareness surveys to identify existing issues and organize panel discussions and meetings to facilitate dialogue and raise awareness about gender equality.
  2. We will disseminate information tailored to various target groups (junior high school students, high school students, and university students) to actively work on increasing the number of female applicants to the School of Science and thus the representation of women. We will also focus on providing information to their parents or guardians.
  3. We will work to ensure that childbirth, child-rearing, and caregiving are considered within a student’s period of enrollment and advocate for a flexible approach to the payment of scholarships.
  4. We will raise awareness of the importance of gender equality by promoting the achievements of female faculty members and alumnae from the School of Science.
  5. We will continually assess the challenges and policies related to gender equality in science education.

2) Gender Equality in Research

  1. We will strive to ensure that members of the School of Science share a common awareness of the current situation and future plans with regard to increasing the number of female researchers. Specifically, we will conduct awareness surveys on this issue and organize panel discussions and meetings to facilitate dialogue and raise awareness about gender equality.
  2. We will work on developing support systems for full-time researchers regarding childbirth, child-rearing, and caregiving. This includes establishing a system to employ part-time lecturers and researchers when caregiving responsibilities, child-rearing, health issues, and other factors limit the time that a researcher can devote to their research and teaching commitments.
  3. We will aim to establish fellowships to support outstanding female researchers who do not hold full-time positions after obtaining their degrees.
  4. We will establish a system to support researchers who do not hold full-time positions but wish to resume their research activities after childbirth, child-rearing, caregiving, or similar responsibilities.
  5. We will continually assess the challenges and policies related to gender equality in scientific research.

3) Gender Equality in Employment

  1. We will implement initiatives to increase the number of female faculty members, aiming to double the proportion of female faculty members as soon as possible.
  2. We will consider constraints related to childbirth, child-rearing, and caregiving in the evaluation of research achievements during the faculty recruitment process.
  3. We will work towards improving the workplace environment, including our employment systems, to promote gender equality among staff.
  4. We will provide guidance and support to graduate students regarding career paths for women.

4) Improving the Education, Research, and Employment Environment

  1. We will work towards the prevention and handling of sexual harassment issues. Specifically, we will conduct harassment prevention training sessions for members of the School of Science. We will also collaborate with the university's Harassment Counseling Center and take appropriate measures in response to any issues that arise.
  2. We will establish a system to consider suggestions for improvements to the education, research, and employment environment in the School of Science.
  3. We will make efforts to ensure a safe environment for education, research, and employment. This includes improvements and maintenance of facilities such as restrooms, changing rooms, break rooms, and childcare facilities, installation of lighting, and improvements in accessibility.
  4. We will continually assess the challenges and policies related to the education, research, and employment environment in the School of Science.

5) Implementation

  1. We will establish the Gender Equality Committee to promote gender equality under the supervision of the Dean. The committee will consider specific policies and, after review at the Faculty Council Meeting, implement them. We will also establish the Office for Gender Equality to provide day-to-day support.
  2. We will conduct regular evaluations of our organizations and activities related to gender equality. Specifically, the annual School of Science Advisory Council Meeting will include an external evaluation of our gender equality activities. Furthermore, a self-evaluation of our progress in this basic plan will be integrated into the mid-term planning process. Based on these evaluations, we will review and adjust this basic plan as necessary.

Note

*The Japanese version is the authoritative version, and this English translation is intended for reference purposes only. Should any discrepancies or doubts arise between the two versions, the Japanese version will prevail.

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