Q34: I have heard that it will be possible to graduate from university in three years.In what circumstances will this be possible?Also,will many students be eligible to graduate in three years?
A student who is interested in early graduationis askirtg the person in charge at the Ministry ofEducation,Science,Sports and Culture
(MESSC)about it.Listen to the conversation.Student:I know that we can graduate in three years rather than four years,but how do we graduate in three years?MESSC:You cannot graduate in three years from any university.Firstly,while universities naturally have to offer very thorough classes,there are also a number of other conditions.Student:Could you explain this in detail?MESSC:In other words,the teaching staff must instruct and assess the student in the appropriate way.First,there is the awarding of credits for class preparation and revision,not only for lec-ture tirnes.That means it is necessary for the university to provide appropriate direction for study outside the classroom,such as literary research and submission of reports.Also,the teaching staff announce the basis of assessment for each class after clarifying the learning objec-tives and evaluate whether or not the learning objectives have been adequately achieved using the basis of assessment.Then there is...Student:There's more?MESSC:Yes,you cannot graduate early that easily.Some students register for many subjects and get the credits they need to graduate easily without doing adequate study.Therefore,it is necessary to set an upper limit for the number of credits that can be obtained in one year or one semester of subject registration.Student:Oh,so if we can'tget the eredits we need to graduate in less than four years,it means we can'tgraduate early,doesn'tit?MESSC:Students who achieve outstanding results in the upper limit of credits for each se-mester or academic year will be able to apply to register for subjects in excess of the upper limit in the following semester or academic year.They will be able to register for subjects in ex-cess of the upper limit if the university deems it appropriate.Student:I see.It will be quite difficult to get more than the regular amount of credits.Stu-dents will have to study hard.MESSC:That's right.Naturally,all students must study hard.Students who want to graduate early will not be able to unless they study at weekends and during the winter and summer vacations,ensure that they have enough time to study to earn credits,and complete more credits than normal and achieve outstanding results.It is of course assumed that the student actually wants to graduate early.Student:Well,that's completely impossible for me.There are so many conditions,and you can'tgraduate early without being a really outstanding student.MESSC:Yes.Early graduation is aimed at out-standing students,and is really an extraordinary measure so it is not really conceivable that many students will be eligible for early graduation.Also,students who are already attending univer-sity,such as you,are not eligible for early graduation.Only students who enroll in univer-sity from1April2000will be eligible.Student:Oh,right.I should let people know that.Anyway,today has been really helpful.Thank you very much.
