SynFOSTER

The “SynFOSTER 2013” Symposium on the Development of Young Human Resources was held.

On Friday, January 25, 2013, the “SynFOSTER 2013” Symposium on the Development of Young Human Resources was held at the conference hall of Hokkaido University.

Launched in FY2008, the annual SynFOSTER symposium series is now in its fifth year. The series aims to gather people responsible for human resource development programs on campus, toward enhancing mutual understanding and collaboration. SynFOSTER also aims at familiarizing people on and off campus with Hokkaido University’s efforts to develop excellent human resources.

The theme of SynFOSTER 2013 was “the development of global leaders in a social context. ” In Part I of the symposium, keynote lectures were given by Toshiya Naito, Director of the Technical Education Division, Higher Education Bureau, MEXT, and by Ken Sato, Senior General Manager and Managing Director of the Personnel Department, Bosch Corporation. Part I also included a panel discussion with students and graduates who have had extensive experience abroad.

In Part II, examples of appealing academic education provided on campus were explained. In Part III, a poster session introducing human resource development programs on campus was held, and brief presentations were given regarding 25 programs. It was an opportunity for active exchanges of views and the sharing of information among participants.

With 140 participants, including 19 people from 15 external organizations, the symposium was a great success, and it greatly contributed to the development of a coherent human resource development system unique to Hokkaido University. The FOHRED extends its deepest appreciation to all those concerned for their attention and cooperation to the symposium.