Kaizen: Japanese for “change for the better” or “improvement.”
Kaizen aims to eliminate waste and means to take apart and put back together in a better way. This is then followed by standardization of this ‘better way’ with others, through standardized work. Kaizen is most associated with the Toyota Production System.
Join IAESTE United States and Kansas State University to Japan to see how technology and manufacturing systems, such as total quality management and lean manufacturing, are implemented across various Japanese business sectors.
Kaizen in Japan is a twelve-day immersion program which enables 20 engineering students from the U.S. to learn best practices at some of the most reputable companies in Japan. During site visits, participants will be invited to see how the Kaizen management system is implemented across various Japanese companies, as well as the subsequent success achieved. Along with educational workshops, each student will gain an edge by experiencing total quality management, leadership concepts, supplier-customer relationships, developing effective group processes, the context of using SPC tools, data gathering, and discussion of related organizational issues (including diversity & gender). Through familiarity of the core Kaizen competencies, participants will be able to recognize situations in their respective future careers where they can contribute to process improvement and sustain these contributions over a period of time.
When and Where:
The program is no longer accepting applications, however, we encourage interested students to check back in Fall 2008 for information on next year's program.
Tokyo, Japan
Why Attend:
- Explore Japanese industries’ approach to lean manufacturing and total quality management.
- Engage in dialogue with Japanese technical students and Japan’s leaders in KAIZEN.
- Experience Japan through a diversity of cultural and historical activities and tours.
- Earn academic credit from Kansas State University.
Who Should Participate:
Engineering or science students with at least sophomore standing who are interested in issues facing women in engineering, lean manufacturing and total quality management will be ideally suited for the program. Graduate students may also apply. No foreign language skills are required, although knowledge of Japanese is preferred. Applicants must be IAESTE student members but U.S. citizenship is not required.
How to Apply:
Application Deadline: The program is no longer accepting applications, however, we encourage interested students to check back in Fall 2008 for information on next year's program.
Applicants must first become a member of IAESTE United States before applying and may do so by clicking here.
To apply for the Kaizen program, applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee of $50 and upload their resume and transcript (official or nonofficial) by March 5, 2008. Prior to departure, participants will be required to have a valid passport. To begin the online application for KAIZEN, pleaseTo begin the online application for KAIZEN, please click here.
Program Fee: $3950 (estimated)
Includes tuition for the affiliated Kansas State University course, round-trip airfare from the gateway city to Japan, in-country transportation, hotel accommodations, and guided city tours. Participants will be responsible for arranging travel to and from the gateway city, vaccinations, some meals, and spending money.
Course Information
The KAIZEN course will explore the challenges of competing in the 21st Century. Participants will learn the basic philosophies of Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM) and continuous process improvement. Topics include leadership concepts, supplier-customer relationships, developing effective group processes, the context of using SPC tools, data gathering, and related organizational issues (including diversity & gender). The TQM philosophies of Deming, Crosby, & Juran will be applied to today’s global workplace environment. The concept of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) will be discussed in the context of education, engineering, manufacturing, medical, and service related industries. This interactive, small-group discussion course creates opportunities to practice team-building concepts essential to creative thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making.
All program participants will enroll in a three-credit online course offered by the Kansas State University. A course syllabus, including all assignments and course requirements will be available soon.
KAIZEN Japan is a cooperative effort of IAESTE United States and Kansas State University.
Questions?
Contact Melanie Dawson with IAESTE United States at techabroad@aipt.org.