FResHU, the Hokkaido University Office for Supporting Female Researchers, was established following its selection for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Science and Technology Promotion Coordination Fund (Model Development for Supporting Female Researchers) project, which began in fiscal year 2006. After completing its three-year project period, it will embark on a new phase starting in fiscal year 2009.
From the new academic year, Hokkaido University has established a new university-wide organization, the "Human Resource Development Headquarters," to comprehensively cultivate diverse human resources in the fields of science, technology, and academia, from undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs to faculty members. The Office for Supporting Female Researchers is also a member of this organization, and we intend to utilize the know-how and female perspectives gained through our past support activities to cultivate young talent, not just women. We will also deepen our collaboration with various human resource development programs, such as the Diverse Career Path Promotion Project, the Leadership Development Project, and the GCOE, more than ever before.
Of course, we will promote support activities for female researchers more than ever before. Our Triple Twenties plan ("20% by 2020": aiming to increase the percentage of women among all researchers at Hokkaido University to 20% by 2020) has just begun. The period covered by the Promotion and Adjustment Fund is, so to speak, a "trial period." We will use the experience gained from trying various things during this trial period to proactively and continuously carry out important actions. This is where the real support activities begin, a crucial moment. We want to work hard to provide the support that is truly needed, to the people who need it, at the right time, and to enable female researchers to shine even brighter and for much longer. Please support us!
