Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION,SCIENCE AND CULTURE1991 > Part Chapter4 3

PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

Institutional development within higher education is being promoted in accordance with the report of the University Chartering Council entitled "Planned Improvement of Higher Education for 1986 and Thereafter". Proposals for development for the post-1993 era of student population decline were delineated in the report of the University Council submitted in May 1991.

(1) The development of national universities is being promoted with respect to the current financial situation and according to deliberations of the University Council. Priority is given to the most urgent issues, such as: (1) necessary measures to cope with the rapid increase of 18-year olds and the training of personnel in the fields where social demands are high; (2) the improvement and enhancement of graduate schools; (3) the promotion of scientific research; (4) the improvement of systems for accepting foreign students; (5) the improvement of university hospitals, especially in systems concerning medical and nursing treatment. In the implementation of these development plans, the reorganization of the existing systems is encouraged.

(2) Local public universities are conducting educational and research activities to meet progressively diverse and advanced requests of localities, and private universities are conducting activities based upon their founding philosophy and principles. The Ministry has endeavored to help local public and private universities develop through the use of subsidies or other means.

(3) On the basis of proposals made by the consultative committee, the Ministry is taking necessary steps for the enrichment of medical and dental education. For the training of medical technicians, the Ministry is promoting the reorganization of relevant special training schools into junior colleges, with a view to securing a sufficient number of technicians possessing a wide-range of knowledge and advanced technical skills.

(4) In order to cope with the advancement of science and technology in the field of information processing, the Ministry is endeavoring to train information processing engineers by taking such measures as expanding courses related to information processing technology at universities and other institutions.

(5) For colleges of technology, the Ministry promotes the updating and reorganization of existing courses in order to address the current demands of society. The Ministry has also made necessary amendments to relevant laws and regulations, in accordance with the University Council's reports, to facilitate the creation of departments other than those of engineering and merchantile marine, and to establish advanced courses.

(6) Special training schools, as practical institutions of vocational and technological education, offer learning opportunities corresponding to diversified needs. Taking into account the important roles special training schools play, the Ministry is implementing various measures for their enhancement.

(7) As regards facilities and equipment of national universities and other institutions, the Ministry is promoting "intelligent campuses" which includes not only advanced functions but also comfortable and tasteful environments. The Minds-try also strives to promote the rebuilding or improvement of superannuated buildings and the relocation or integration of the university campus.