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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > FY2003 White Paper on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology >Part1 Chapter1 Section3.1

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Part 1   Higher Education to Support a Knowledge-Based Society Full of Creative Vitality-New Developments in Higher Education Reform
Chapter 1   Current Extent of Higher Education Reform
Section 3   Giving Flexibility to Educational and Research Systems
1   Diversifying Study Methods



(1) Introduction of a Special Register System

In addition to increasing study opportunities for people who desire to learn, such as adults, and revitalizing universities themselves, it is extremely important to diversify the forms of study in universities. The 1991 University Council Report, "Improvement of University Education," proposed that one way to diversify forms of study would be to utilize limited time to expand opportunities for adults, who have a difficult time studying full time at universities, to receive university education.

For this reason, universities made it possible in 1991 to confer credits as a special register student for the results of part-time * study carried out at that university by people other than students of that university. In addition, in the same year, for example, if a junior college graduate or a college of technology graduate obtained fixed credits as a special register student and passed the assessment of the National Institution for Academic Degrees (the current National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation), then they could be conferred a bachelor's degree.

The special register system is being utilized by about 18,000 students at 609 universities nationwide (FY2001 actual performance) and it can be expected to be utilized even more in the future.


* Part-time

A form of study in which the amount of study per unit hour of each week, semester, etc. is less than the form of study that assumes graduation after the standard duration of study (full time).


(2) Clarification of the status of classes using multimedia

Formerly, class methods in universities included lecturing and experiments, practical training, etc., and it was assumed that all the methods would be used in direct face-to-face classes. In 1998, however, classes using various advanced media, *1 handling text, audio and video in an integrated way, and carried out simultaneously two-way, were positioned as one form of university class as "classes using multimedia."

Furthermore, in 2001, as a result of further developments in communications technologies such as the Internet, classes utilizing the Internet that are recognized as having educational results equivalent to direct face-to-face classes with careful study guidance, were positioned as "classes using multimedia." As a result, it became possible to incorporate up to 60 credits (at correspondence universities, all credits necessary for graduation) into the number of credits necessary to graduate.

It is to be expected that as information and communications technology advances rapidly, information and communications technology such as the Internet will be utilized in university education and distinctive education and research that meets the needs (demands) of adults will develop ( Figures 1-1-14 and 1-1-15 ).

Figure 1-1-14 Installation of Remote Lecture Related Facilities that Use Land-Based Communications *2

Figure 1-1-15 Installation of Remote Lecture Related Facilities that Use Satellite Communications


*1 Media

Refers to a method of distributing information.


*2 Land-Based Communications

Communications using fiber optics, ADSL, etc., or ground waves.


(3) Expansion of transferable credits

Universities confer credits on students studying class subjects based on their examination results. As an exception, with a view to greater diversity and flexibility in student choices, credit transfer and accreditation for study in educational institutions other than universities are possible. Credit transfer means the university to which the student belongs approves as its own, the credits acquired by the student through study of a class subject at a different university. If the student studied at a university outside Japan, it is also possible to approve the credits of that university. Furthermore, approval of study credits obtained at educational institutions other than universities means approval by the university to which the student belongs of credits for study, etc. at junior colleges and professional training colleges that meet specific necessary conditions ( Figure 1-1-16 ).

Figure 1-1-16 Universities to Have Established a Credit Transfer System


Column 1

University Consortium Kyoto

The University Consortium * Kyoto was established in Kyoto, which is known as a university town, in 1998 bynational, public and private universities and junior collegeswith the aim of responding to the expectations of societyand the diversification of needs (demand) of studentstowards university education, and further deepening thecooperation between academia, local communities andindustry, and the ties between universities. One of its mainprojects is the largest scale credit transfer system in Japan,implemented with the participation of universities and junior A class called "Introduction to Zen Meditation" (Hanazono University)colleges mainly in the Kyoto region. Students can take subjects in fields that are not provided by their own university on the campuses of other universities or at the Campus Plaza Kyoto (the building that is the base for University Consortium Kyoto, where credit transfer classes and internships, etc. are carried out). They can also take distinctive subjects such as "Kyoto Studies" and "Twenty-First Century Studies" that study Kyoto in a multifaceted way. In FY2003, 46 universities and junior colleges participated in the credit transfer system, with 401 subjects offered and 9,774 students taking classes.

A class called "Introduction to Zen Meditation" (Hanazono University)

In FY1999, in order to expand the range of student choices and make greater cooperation and exchange between universities in Japan and those outside Japan possible, the number of credits that can be approved by these methods was amended from 30 to 60. With a view to responding to internationalization, credit transfer has been approved for study in Japan of classes provided by universities outside Japan through the Internet, etc. from FY2002.


* Consortium

Here consortium refers to "joint project organizations" and "joint research organizations."


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