The idea is to repair a shortage of talent in essential industries. 40,000 additional people will be required by the chip industry in the next ten years.
The universities are: Yamagata University, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Okayama University, Hiroshima University and Keio University.
University of Tsukuba will work with five universities to develop an education programme for that integrates quantum, information, and life sciences.
Hiroshima University will develop a human resources AI development programme supporting marine economic security and sustainability with five European universities.
Kanazawa University will work with leaders in the mathematical and physical sciences.
The universities will set up Masters degree programmes for at European universities. Currently only 8% of Japanese students studying abroad are engaged in Masters level courses and only 6% pursuing PhD studies.
The programmes will incorporate online studies before traveling and introduce internships at research institutes and companies in Japan and the European Union to aid in career development.
To welcome students from European partner universities, a language and living environment support system will be established..
The ministry is also expanding scholarships for Japanese students studying science or engineering at top universities in Europe as well as in other countries.
The Japan Student Services Organization is setting up a programme for this purpose, taking applications starting this month.
