Program Overview

Introduction to the Young Leaders' Program (YLP)

The Young Leaders' Program (YLP) is a special Master's Degree program offered by Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, in conjunction with the Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship program. The program focuses on healthcare administration and aims to foster talented individuals who can play a leading role in healthcare policy making and implementation in developing countries.

Background

More than 90% of the disease burden of the world is concentrated in developing countries, threatening the health of the people of those countries and potentially destabilizing society. The improvement of health conditions in these countries is not only a humanitarian issue but also a worldwide economic and political issue. As a member of international society, Japan has an obligation to provide support.

Objective

The YLP master's course in healthcare administration is a one-year program that invites administrators who will play a leading role in healthcare policy making and implementation, management and administration of medical institutions, public health, and preventive medicine activities in developing countries. The program provides students with extensive education to gain knowledge and skills in healthcare administration, medical economics, and medical statistics.

Countries Applicable for the Young Leaders' Program

The following countries are applicable for the Young Leaders' Program:

• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Mongolia
• Philippines
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Viet Nam
• Bhutan

Eligible Students

Eligible students are administrators (in principle, up to 40 years old) who are in charge of medical care or health administration in developing countries, with a minimum of 3 years' experience in health care policy, administration of medical institutions, public health activities, and are expected to serve a leading role in the future. Examples of eligible students include:

• Administrators of central and local governments
• Administrators of local hospitals
• Young administrators who are expected to take charge of health and medical policy decision-making

Education Objective

The program aims to improve the efficiency, quality, fairness, and sustainability of the health and medical care sector in developing countries by fostering talented individuals who can form an international network to cooperate in international medical insurance activities as well as in activities in medical politics in their own countries.

Contents of Education

Students are given lectures in English, complete 30 credits including practices and field trips, compose and submit research papers, and receive a master's degree after one year. Classes cover:

• Basic knowledge on medicine and public health
• Research methodology
• History and current status of healthcare administration in Japan
• Research issues in areas such as local healthcare, health policy, and environmental hygiene Students also conduct their own research into the health policies and healthcare systems of their own countries to create a research thesis.

Expected Effects

Those who complete the course are expected to exert their leadership in solving various issues in the area of health and medical care sectors when they return to their own country. The program will contribute to the improvement of health of people and the development of the country, making support from Japan more effective. Graduates will also form an international human resource network and contribute to worldwide health and medical care activities.