Q01 What kind of organization is the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences (IATSS)?

The International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences (IATSS) is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide an environment for scholars and other specialists to freely discuss and conduct research on the present and future states of transportation in mobile societies. Since its establishment in 1974, with its aim “contributing to the realization of an ideal mobile society”, the IATSS has conducted a wider range of traffic and safety-related activities from research activities, hosting of research conferences, publicity and publication, and bestowing awards and grants for transportation-related research, education and other activities.
For further information, please visit "The International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences” (IATSS).

Q02 What kind of organization is the IATSS Forum?

The IATSS Forum is one of the departments of the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences (IATSS). The IATSS Forum was established in 1985, aiming to bring out the best qualities in individuals who will one day become future leaders in Asia.

Q03 What types of individuals does the Forum target?

We accept applications from individuals with a desire to become or who have the potential to become a young leader who can take on the responsibility for the future of the region. Our participants come from a variety of fields including government-related organizations, private companies, academic institutions, NGOs, and so on
For this, please read the section “Target Candidates” on the “Application” page.

Q01 As the IATSS Forum is organized by IATSS (International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences), do the contents of the program only focus on traffic-related issues?

Although it is one of the departments of the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences (IATSS), the IATSS Forum does not provide training specializing in "traffic and safety." Inviting outstanding individuals with their respective expertise from various fields (such as government-related organizations, private companies, academic institutions, NGOs, and others), the IATSS Forum provides training to nurture young professionals in Asia who will play a leading role in their region and the world in the future.
The program covers a wide range of contents to cultivate leadership capacity in those individuals with full of potentials.

Q02 What leadership capacities can I expect to develop through this leadership program?

The IATSSS Forum program is designed to nurture the following 5 targeted capacities in participants.

1. Foundation of leadership and organizational management (CP1)
2. Insight based on an interdisciplinary approach (CP2)
3. The ability to generate creative ideas for sustainable and peaceful development (CP3)
4. Interpersonal and communication skill (CP4)
5. Influential power and ability to execute an idea (CP5)

For more information, please read the section “Curriculum Policy.”

Q03 What is your teaching methodology as regards the leadership program?

The IATSS Forum program is designed based on a few learning theories. We believe in learning through experience and as such, we provide participants with opportunities to develop leadership capacities through a variety of learning settings. The IATSS Forum program focuses on the learning cycle of 4 steps:

1. Sharing Empathies：Sharing of empathies generated by first-hand experience and direct interaction with people, information and so on
2. Concept making：Conceptualize the essence of this tacit knowledge in various specialized fields through profound discussion and dialog
3. Model Making：Compiling generated concepts and making models to apply in each context
4. Implementation：Implementation of the above model. Utilizing the model, create a feasible proposal with a clear vision that makes a change for a better future and take action

Q04 What is the main curriculum focus in this program?

There are 4 main pillars in the curriculum of the program: “Lecture and Workshop”, “Seminar”, “Field Study” and “Group Study/Research.” Through these four learning settings, the 5 targeted capacities for leaders are expected to develop. For more program details, please read the "Forum Program” page.

Q05 What kind of lecturers appear in this program?

By inviting professors from leading universities in Japan, business leaders, and specialists from various related fields, the IATSS Forum provides opportunities for participants to learn the latest information, knowledge, technology, perspectives, and approaches in various fields. For further information, please read the "Forum Program” page.

Q06 During the training period, which cities will we visit other than Suzuka?

Basically, the program will be implemented in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, but participants may have opportunities to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, and others, too. (This may change according to changes in the program.)

Q07 Will we have any opportunities to interact with local people in Japan?

Participants will be given various opportunities to interact with Japanese people, such as at events to interact with local volunteers, during homestays.

Eligibility for Participation in the IATSS Forum

Q01 What are the requirements to participate in the IATSS Forum?

Basically, anyone who is 35 years old or younger at the closing date of the application and has at least 2 years of full-time professional job experience can apply for the program, as long as s/he meets the eligibility criteria for the IATSS Forum.
Please refer to the section "Eligibility" on the “Application” page for more details.

Q02 I am not from any of the countries listed in the application booklet. Can I still apply?

Unfortunately, the application and participation in the program are limited to individuals from 10 countries, “Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, at this moment.

Q03-1 I am a student. Am I eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?

No. If you are a student, and not working full time, you are not qualified to apply for the IATSS Forum.

Q03-2 I am a full-time student now but I have 2 years of professional experience and I am not working now. Am I eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?

No, Applicants must currently be a full-time employee working in a professional field. (Self-employed and freelance included)

Q03-3 I am currently working but I go to school part-time. Am I eligible to apply for the IATSS Forum?

Yes. As long as you are a full-time employee working in a professional field, you are eligible to apply for the program.

Q04 I cannot be away from work for as long as 7 weeks. Can I participate in the program partially?

No, you cannot. Since the 7-week period constitutes one forum, all participants are required to be present during the entire program period.

Selection Process

Q01 How does the selection process take place?

The screening will be conducted in two steps. The 1st screening is conducted based on document screening by the respective countries’ committees. The final screening, which is held in the form of a direct interview by the collaboration of the IATSS Forum Japan Steering Committee and the respective countries' committees. It is intended to select 2-5 participants per country, 1-3 participants for each forum. The number of participants allotted to each country varies from year to year.

Q02 From what point of view does the IATSS Forum do the screenings?

We have our selection criteria, which covers 4 main points, “Leadership”, “Awareness of the Issues and Will to Make Change”, “Capacity and Potential”, and “Attitude.” We carefully evaluate applicants’ quality and potential in each of these points. For more details, please refer to the “Admission Policy.”

Q03 I am Malaysian and living in Singapore at the moment. Which country committee should I apply to, Malaysia or Singapore?

Please apply to the Malaysian Country Committee. If you have passed the second screening, you will have a final interview in Malaysia as well. This is because participants will be selected as representatives of their nations.

Q01 After completing the IATSS Forum program, I would like to visit some places before leaving Japan; may I have permission to do so?

Q02 On the way back home from Japan, may I drop by some other countries?

No. Participants must return to their home country by the designated date, on the designated airline. Your primary purpose should be to participate in the program, and after that to be reinstated to your current job, to put what you have gained at the IATSS Forum into practical use. From this point of view, the IATSS Forum requests that you return straight home right after the program.

Q03 Can I have my family accompanied with me?

No. Participants must travel to Japan and participate in the program unaccompanied.

Q04 Who bears the expenses related to the IATSS Forum program?

The IATSS Forum is responsible for all the expenses necessary for the program participation, such as the round-trip airfare, participation fees for the program, accommodations, and almost all food expenses, etc. Participants need to pay for their personal expenses and part of their food expenses.

Q05 After completion of the IATSS Forum program, will participants be involved in any particular activities?

Upon the completion of the IATSS Forum program, participants will belong to the IATSS Forum alumni association in their home country. These organizations offer a place to continue sharing a wealth of experience through networks of alumni that span a broad range of ages and occupational fields. As part of alumni activities, alumni associations carry out projects supported by the IATSS Forum. For more details, please refer to the “Alumni” page.

Q06 I am a CEO, so I would need to work during the program if I were selected. How many hours per day do I have free time or when does the daily program finish every day?

The program's finishing time varies daily, and you are expected to be fully committed to the program. You are expected to attend some evening programs, have practice or collaboration work on most of the evenings during the program. You will be expected to build bonds and trust with other participants during your free time. Basically, we ask participants not to bring their work to Japan.