2
1.1 Introduction
The technological innovation and economic growth in the twentieth century have led
to signifi cant improvement of human welfare; however, they also caused unprecedented environmental problems. These problems include not only local/regional environmental pollution, but also global issues such as climate change, resource shortages,
the energy crisis, and the loss of biodiversity. Environmental problem is complex
because it relates not only to technical/physical issues but also social issues. In addition,
even if an environmental problem appears peculiar to a region, it is closely connected to
global issues. Thus, what is important to fi nd solutions on current environmental
problems is to integrate the scientifi c knowledge with fi ndings from other perspectives.
It is also important to develop human resources who hold a holistic view.
To foster environmental leadership in graduate students, the Asian Program for
Incubation of Environmental Leaders (APIEL) was established in 2008 by The
University of Tokyo. This educational program offers a curriculum that develops
environmental leaders, who can make signifi cant contributions to resolving global
environmental problems as well as regional/local environmental problems in the
twenty-fi rst century.
APIEL is not a degree program but a certifi cate-awarding program originally
developed through collaboration between the Graduate Program in Sustainability
Science (GPSS) of the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences and the Department of
Urban Engineering (UE) of the Graduate School of Engineering. This collaboration
has given a unique strength to the curriculum because the former provides transdisciplinary approaches to APIEL, and the latter provides APIEL a solid academic
base of environmental technology and management. In this way, APIEL is able
to provide structured knowledge, practical skills, and experiences to students. APIEL
particularly focuses on the environmental problems in Asia because Asia is the most
populated region in the world and Asian countries at different stages of development
are facing the challenge to build a sustainable society with limited natural resources.
1.2 Core Concepts
1.2.1 Characteristics of APIEL
To resolve the complex problems mentioned above and to contribute to sustainable
development requires highly specialized leaders with wide knowledge, a critical
perspective, and a strong ethical sense. APIEL’s goal is to be an incubator for environmental leaders who have the necessary practical skills. In particular, APIEL puts
emphasis on the following core concepts.
First, in the process of tackling environmental problems, it is important to recognize both universality and locality. Scientifi c bases and core environmental technologies can be universally applied in many cases but, in practice, specifi c local
conditions must always be considered. Therefore, environmental leaders should be
T. Akiyama et al.
1.1 Introduction
The technological innovation and economic growth in the twentieth century have led
to signifi cant improvement of human welfare; however, they also caused unprecedented environmental problems. These problems include not only local/regional environmental pollution, but also global issues such as climate change, resource shortages,
the energy crisis, and the loss of biodiversity. Environmental problem is complex
because it relates not only to technical/physical issues but also social issues. In addition,
even if an environmental problem appears peculiar to a region, it is closely connected to
global issues. Thus, what is important to fi nd solutions on current environmental
problems is to integrate the scientifi c knowledge with fi ndings from other perspectives.
It is also important to develop human resources who hold a holistic view.
To foster environmental leadership in graduate students, the Asian Program for
Incubation of Environmental Leaders (APIEL) was established in 2008 by The
University of Tokyo. This educational program offers a curriculum that develops
environmental leaders, who can make signifi cant contributions to resolving global
environmental problems as well as regional/local environmental problems in the
twenty-fi rst century.
APIEL is not a degree program but a certifi cate-awarding program originally
developed through collaboration between the Graduate Program in Sustainability
Science (GPSS) of the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences and the Department of
Urban Engineering (UE) of the Graduate School of Engineering. This collaboration
has given a unique strength to the curriculum because the former provides transdisciplinary approaches to APIEL, and the latter provides APIEL a solid academic
base of environmental technology and management. In this way, APIEL is able
to provide structured knowledge, practical skills, and experiences to students. APIEL
particularly focuses on the environmental problems in Asia because Asia is the most
populated region in the world and Asian countries at different stages of development
are facing the challenge to build a sustainable society with limited natural resources.
1.2 Core Concepts
1.2.1 Characteristics of APIEL
To resolve the complex problems mentioned above and to contribute to sustainable
development requires highly specialized leaders with wide knowledge, a critical
perspective, and a strong ethical sense. APIEL’s goal is to be an incubator for environmental leaders who have the necessary practical skills. In particular, APIEL puts
emphasis on the following core concepts.
First, in the process of tackling environmental problems, it is important to recognize both universality and locality. Scientifi c bases and core environmental technologies can be universally applied in many cases but, in practice, specifi c local
conditions must always be considered. Therefore, environmental leaders should be
T. Akiyama et al.