Today, our society is undergoing a period of significant transformation, as symbolized by the advancement of initiatives such as Society 5.0 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To build a more harmonious relationship between technology and human society, and to realize a sustainable and prosperous future, we need more than ever the presence of “knowledge professionals” — individuals with advanced expertise, flexible thinking, and a transdisciplinary perspective.

In March 2024, the Japanese government released the policy plan “Get a PhD – Doctoral Human Resources Action Plan,” clearly articulating the central role that doctoral researchers are expected to play in driving the growth and development of society as a whole. Furthermore, a policy recommendation issued by the Central Council for Education in February 2025 emphasized the importance of doctoral talent in creating new knowledge and fostering innovation, from the perspective of enhancing Japan’s total sum of knowledge ("Chi no sōwa"). Against the backdrop of a rapidly declining birthrate, the development and active engagement of highly skilled doctoral professionals are seen as critical to sustaining and strengthening Japan’s collective intellectual capacity.

Against this background, Chiba University will host the Forum for Graduate Educational Reform 2025 – “Unlocking the Potential of Doctorates, Shaping the Future of Society” as the lead organizer for 2025. This forum will invite doctoral professionals with diverse experiences not only in academia and research positions, but also in private industry, government, startups, and beyond, and will explore how the knowledge and skills gained in doctoral programs are being applied in real-world contexts, and what society currently expects from doctoral talent.

In particular, this year’s forum will shine a spotlight on the concept of multi-career pathways for doctoral holders. We strongly believe that the specialized expertise and critical thinking cultivated through doctoral training can be leveraged across a wide range of sectors — not only in research, but throughout society. By showcasing the voices of doctoral graduates actively engaged in society today, we hope to offer encouragement to current graduate students as they envision their own future careers.

We sincerely hope that this forum will deepen the connection between doctoral talent and society, and serve as a meaningful opportunity to reimagine the future of graduate education in a more creative and impactful way.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to host the Forum for Graduate Educational Reform 2025 here in Chiba.

Through this forum, we hope to offer doctoral students two meaningful encounters.

The first is an encounter with the world beyond academia.
This forum will highlight the diverse careers of doctorate holders working not only in academic research, but also in industries, government agencies, and startups. We hope that exposure to these real-world examples will inspire current doctoral students to broaden their perspectives and begin envisioning their own careers in their own words. The forum’s theme, “Unlocking the Potential of Doctorates, Shaping the Future of Society,” reflects this aspiration.

The second is an encounter with students from different disciplines.
Through interdisciplinary student sessions, the forum will provide an opportunity to apply doctoral learning to real-world social challenges. By bringing together diverse expertise, engaging in team-based discussions, and presenting their proposed solutions, participants will gain a valuable experience that goes beyond the boundaries of their individual fields—a unique and enriching part of their doctoral journey.

It is our earnest wish that this forum will inspire rich discussions and new perspectives on the value of doctoral learning and its role in shaping a better future.