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PART Issues and Perspectives ofHigher Education

It is expected that the university will play an important role in a lifelong learning society. The university is expected to be active in providing learning opportunities for adult citizens through extension courses and other activities and in opening the university's library, gymnasium and other facilities to the public.

Especially, with a view to strengthening the function of the university as a place of lifelong learning, higher education authorities will face such important tasks as: allowing more flexibility in the modes of learning, while taking account of the needs of students who are working adults; accepting more working adults through developing curricula and teaching methods suited to recurrent education; and extending to the whole country the coverage of the University of the Air which is offering university programs, using broadcasting media effectively.

Institutions of higher education are now required not only to meet the demands of the public for lifelong learning but also to make themselves more open to the community to respond positively to the diverse demands of the community.

It can be conceived that universities can contribute to the enhancement of adult education programs and cultural programs in the community, as well as to the promotion of community industries, by making their own educational and research functions, as well as their own human resources, available to the community and by increasing cooperative relations with the community with regard to educational and research activities. In order to ensure further development of the university itself, it is hoped that the university will maintain active cooperative relations with the local government.