FAQs for GSST JICA Students*
*Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Long-Term) Participants
Please note that JICA students who belong to undergraduate faculty, science, engineering, or agriculture, as Research Student will be taken care of by the undergraduate faculty’s administration office, not by the GSST Academic Affairs Division.
JICA and NU/GSST
Q: How can I find out more about the NU cooperation agreement with JICA?
A: Please access the relevant information on the Niigata University homepage through the following links:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/news/6450/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/news/2021/85215/ (Japanese)
Q: Where is the first contact office for JICA students?
A: The NU GSST has designated the JICA Support Desk, managed by former JICA scholars and the GSST Academic Affairs Division, whose purpose is to help current JICA scholars. Therefore, JICA students can visit the JICA Support Desk office (Room 113) which is located on the first floor of the GSST building.
Q: How can I access and interact with NU JICA current students?
A: The JICA Support Desk office organizes meetings on a fortnight basis, where you can meet and interact with other current NU GSST JICA students.
Academic
Q: How can I find out about credit requirements for my degree program?
A: Please refer to GSST Student Handbook (Gakusei Binran) of your admission year and discuss with your supervisor. You can access the link at the following site:
http://www.gs.niigata-u.ac.jp/~gsweb/students/handbook.html
Q: How can I access my JICA Research Support Grant?
A: Please consult with your supervisor.
※ JICA Student Handbook : Handbook for Knowledge Co-Creation Program for All JICA Scholarship Courses
Q: What are the procedures for JICA Overseas Research?
A: Please read the Overseas Research chapter of the JICA Student Handbook.
(Caution) As of April 2022, “Niigata University Activity Restriction Guidelines” for preventing the spread of COVID-19 prohibit study/travel abroad in all. However, special permission may be granted, for example, when travel destination is one’s home country. Since approval process takes longer than usual, please contact the GSST office well in advance, approximately two months prior to departure.
The Request for Overseas Research with supervisor’s signature has to be submitted to the GSST office no less than one month prior to departure. The form is to be submitted to JICA from NU through the International Office, and JICA will decide whether or not to approve the travel.
For the NU procedures, please follow the instructions on the following site:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-abroad/safety/procedure/ (Japanese)
As stated on the site above, as a part of NU procedures, any trip abroad needs to be registered from the following site:
https://gakujo.iess.niigata-u.ac.jp/campusweb/
After logging in, please select Overseas Travel Registration on the menu bar and follow instructions. Upon completion, please print and submit the form to the GSST office.
Housing
Q: How can I find a housing accommodation?
A: Please see the information about housing for international students on the following sites:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/life/housing/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/residence/ (Japanese)
Q: How can I find a guarantor for off-campus housing?
A: Please read the Private Apartments section on the following sites:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/life/housing/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/residence/ (Japanese)
Insurance
Q: Where can I learn more about various types of insurance available for JICA students?
A: For JICA Medical Card insurance and how to apply for a reimbursement, please read the Health chapter of the JICA Student Handbook.
For the national health insurance, please read the Health chapter of the JICA student handbook as well as the information provided on the following sites:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/life/health-and-safety/insurance/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/health-safety/ (Japanese)
For the Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (Gakkensai), please read the information on the following sites:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/life/health-and-safety/insurance/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/health-safety/ (Japanese)
For the Liability Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (Gakkenbai), please read the information on the following sites:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/life/health-and-safety/insurance/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/health-safety/ (Japanese)
Please note that both Gakkensai and Gakkenbai are required at the time of admission.
Overseas Travel
Q: What are the procedures for obtaining a temporary leave of absence?
A: Please refer to the Temporary Leave to Travel Home and/or to a Third Country section of the JICA Student Handbook.
The Request Form for Overseas Temporary Leave with supervisor’s signature has to be submitted to the GSST office in advance. The form is to be submitted to JICA from NU through the International Office, and JICA will decide whether or not to approve the travel.
For the NU procedures, please see the question and answer above and follow the instructions on the following sites:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-abroad/safety/ (Japanese)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-abroad/safety/procedure/ (Japanese)
JICA Prohibition*
*Please refer to the JICA Student Handbook for details.
Q: Am I allowed to find part-time jobs?
A: No, JICA students are not allowed to work except for what is stated in the JICA Student Handbook. Please refer to the Prohibition chapter.
Please note that you are not allowed to apply for shikakugai-katsudokyoka, Japanese work permit, either.
To be assigned as a TA or RA, as referenced in the JICA Student Handbook, the Notification Form of Incidental Rewards with supervisor’s signature has to be submitted to the GSST office. The form is then to be submitted to JICA from NU through the International Office.
Q: Am I allowed to drive a car in Japan?
A: No, JICA students are not allowed to drive any car during your scholarship period in Japan. Please read the Prohibition chapter in the JICA Student Handbook.
Immigration
Q: How can I invite a family member to Japan?
A: Please read the Inviting Your Family to Japan chapter of the JICA Student Handbook.
The Request of Document Issue and Pledge with supervisor’s signature has to be submitted to the GSST office. The form is then to be submitted to JICA from NU through the International Office for approval and issuance.
Q: How can I renew my student visa?
A: Please read the Residence Card/Extension of Stay chapter of the JICA Student Handbook when the extension is inevitable.
Leaving Japan
Q: What are the things to do before leaving Japan/returning home?
A: Please read the Departure chapter of the JICA Student Handbook.
Also, please refer to the information provided by the NU International Office on the following sites:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/life/before-leaving/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/return/ (Japanese)
Miscellaneous
Q: What should I do after changing my address and/or phone number?
A: Please report all changes in your address and/or phone number to the GSST, who will in turn also notify JICA through the NU International Office. Also, you need to update your contact information on the NU Student Web system (Gakujo) at the following site:
https://gakujo.iess.niigata-u.ac.jp/campusweb/
Also, please read the Changing Residence within Niigata City section of the following:
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/arrival/ (English)
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/international/study-japan/life/arrival/ (Japanese)
Q: Where can I get information related to the career support while studying at Niigata University?
A: Firstly, please note that according to JICA, Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Long-Term) targets young researchers, government officers and non-government personnel who can play leadership roles to confront development issues of their own countries as well as to contribute directly to the on-going JICA projects in returning to their countries (excluding for ABE Initiative Program). In the long run, they are expected to strengthen the partnership between Japanese government and their countries.
Please read the information on the following site, offered by the GSST Advanced Education and Research Center, for career development.
https://www.gs.niigata-u.ac.jp/~aerc/public/career
Also, please refer to the information provided by the NU Career Center at the following site:
https://www.career-center.niigata-u.ac.jp/
If you are a doctoral student, please also refer to the information provided by the NU PhD Recruitment Office at the following sites:
https://www.phd.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/ (English)
https://www.phd.niigata-u.ac.jp/ (Japanese)
Q: To proceed for my doctoral studies, where can I get information on available scholarships?
A: Please pay attention to the general scholarship information provided by the International Office (usually by email).
Also, please read the information offered by the GSST Advanced Education and Research Center at the following for further academic career development
https://www.gs.niigata-u.ac.jp/~aerc/public/admission
Q: How can I go about reclaiming lost residence card or travel documents?
A: In the case of loss of sensitive documents such as your residence card, student ID card, or travel document, please report the situation immediately to the police, the GSST administration office, and JICA Tokyo.
Q: What am I expected to do when pregnant?
A: Please read carefully the Pregnancy chapter of the JICA Student Handbook when you are pregnant and notify the GSST Office. Then, an officer in charge at each JICA center will explain conditions and requirements to you. After confirming your full understanding, Notification of Pregnancy with supervisor’s signature and Letter of Consent with your organization should be submitted to JICA. These forms are to be submitted to JICA by the NU International Office for reporting.