UNIQLO Forms Fellowship Program for Japanese Students in Harvard

December 26, 2014

Unlocking Word Meanings
 今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. fellowship /ˈfɛl oʊˌʃɪp/ (n.) – an academic fund awarded to a graduate student based on his or her academic excellence
Example: She applied for a fellowship so she can complete her academic research.

2. admit /ædˈmɪt/ (v.) – to allow someone to study in a school or university
Example: He was admitted to the university that he wanted.

3. eligible /ˈɛl ɪ dʒə bəl/ (adj.) – meeting the appropriate requirements to participate in something
Example: She is eligible to be the university coach because she is a professional athlete.

4. grant /grænt, grɑnt/ (n.) – money given to someone by an organization for a specific purpose
Example: The professors received a grant from the university to pursue their research.

5. potential /pəˈtɛn ʃəl/ (n.) – undeveloped abilities or skills that can be improved
Example: He can already paint and draw at a young age. He has the potential to be an artist.


Article
 ニュース記事

Read the text below.
Japanese fashion company UNIQLO [YOU-nee-klo] will be providing fellowships to graduates who will be studying business or design in Harvard University.

The fellowship program aims to financially support Japanese graduates who have been admitted to either the Harvard Business School (HBS) or the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD). Only students who are not sponsored by other corporations will be allowed to apply in the fellowship program.

Eligible applicants must go through a selection process, which includes a series of interviews. The final interview will be conducted by Tadashi Yanai, CEO of UNIQLO. Along with Yanai, HBS professor Hirotaka Takeuchi will be interviewing HBS candidates while GSD candidates will be interviewed by Toyo Ito, a GSD visiting professor.

The fellowship program will proceed over the next three years, beginning on September 2015. Two applicants—one from each of the graduate schools—will be selected as fellowship awardees every year. Each fellowship recipient will be entitled to two million yen (200,000 dollars) as academic grant from UNIQLO. Hence, six Japanese students will be receiving a total of 120 million yen (1.2 million dollars).

UNIQLO’s fellowship program is for underprivileged Japanese students who show great potential in the business and design industries. Yanai believes that enabling these students to obtain a world-class education will cultivate their talents at an international standard. He will be donating a total of 60 million yen (600,000 dollars) out of his own pocket to finance the grants of GSD fellowship awardees throughout the program.

Viewpoint Discussion
 ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you support UNIQLO’s fellowship program? Why or why not?
·         What changes would you suggest to improve UNIQLO’s fellowship program? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         In your country’s education system, which major do you think needs the kind of financial aid UNIQLO offers the most? Please explain your answer.
·         In your opinion, is it better to study abroad rather than in your own country? Why?

December 26, 2014