Exchange

As a result of rapid economic growth and industrialization in China, heavy traffic and workplace accidents have led to an increasing population of the physically disabled, with numbers reaching up to 82 million in recent years. However, the shortage of rehabilitation professionals is a constant problem and, therefore, training such specialists is an urgent requirement.

A training project for rehabilitation professionals in China was organized by JICA (Japan Industrial Cooperation Agency) in 2001, which was active up to 2006. JICA, together with the National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled, set up a model system to foster specialists in rehabilitation in the three districts of Mid-west China. IUHW became the substantial successor to that project. This project aims to improve the quality of rehabilitation services.

IUHW has been sending its faculty members as advisors. These faculty members are introducing methodological knowledge. IUHW has developed a new curriculum for the teaching staff and has set up a training practice program for teaching methods. Trainees from the China Rehabilitation Research Center have continued to further their educations at the IUHW Graduate School.

Recently, remarkable economic growth has been seen in Myanmar, and further progress will be expected through the development of democratization and the improvement of international relationships with foreign countries. Along the opening of the country to the world, the improvement of education in the medical field and the enhancement of the medical standard are urgently needed.

IUHW has supported human resource development especially in the field of healthcare in Myanmar. We have offered technical cooperation in order to improve the quality of rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Myanmar, through dispatching our faculty members and accepting trainees since 2008.

We have welcomed seven students from Myanmar to the graduate school since 2013, with unique full scholarship system which widely covers the cost from tuition fee to living expenses. Our university concluded an academic interaction agreement with three top-class national medical universities in Yangon (University of Medicine 1, University of Medical Technology and University of Nursing). By doing so, we are strengthening the mutual exchange of faculty members and students between the two countries.

Based on these friendly relationships between Myanmar and IUHW, We held Myanmar-Japan Healthcare Symposium in July 2014.

Undergraduate students with “student” visa can receive waivers of up to half of their tuition and course fees (other fees apply). To some extent, the waiver of school expenses for graduate students is also available.

Foreign students with IUHW Bachelor’s Degree who intend to study further at IUHW Graduate School are to be remitted all of their entrance fee.

Several private agencies and local autonomous bodies offer various types of scholarships for foreign students.

When students join the National Health Insurance, 70% of their medical bills are covered by the insurance. In addition, the IUHW Parents Association can support the students by covering the rest of the 30%, which means there is no need for foreign students to worry about medical expenses. For that privilege, each undergraduate pays 30,000 yen per year to the association, which is compulsory. However it is optional for graduate students.

On our Otawara Campus, there is a section called the International Exchange Center, where full-time staff awaits foreign students, who are well taken care of. The following is a list of what is offered at the center.

Teachers who specialize in Japanese language teaching offer Japanese classes for foreign students. They offer not only classes but also any help and support concerning language problems the students might face.

2. Visa

When students need help in applying for and acquiring a visa, extending and renewing their visa, and for permission for other activities, the center staff is always there to help them.

3. Exchange Parties

The center plans several parties for foreign students, so that they can get to know each other and learn to support one another. Japanese students are also invited, so that students on campus, whether you are Japanese or not, can all be good friends.