University Accreditation Results(Results for Certified Evaluation and Accreditation for university)

The Graduate School of Project Design

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: Private

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Accreditation Status
Year of the Review: 2017
Accreditation Status: accredited （Accreditation Period: April.01.2018 – March.31.2025）

2

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Results for
the Graduate School of Project Design
Overview
The Graduate School of Project Design (hereafter, the School) was incorporated in2012 as a professional graduate school by the Japan Educational Research Group, aneducational institution. Founded with the mission to “impart deep knowledge from abroad perspective and develop highly skilled professionals equipped with creative
problem-solving abilities through project design research education,” the School
located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, has one program, that being the School of Project
Design. The 2018 review is the first certified evaluation and accreditation of theSchool conducted by Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA).
It should be mentioned that the School of Project Design underwent JUAA’scertified evaluation and accreditation for professional graduate business schools in
2016, and that the latest review was conducted in accordance with the university
accreditation (institutional accreditation) criteria focusing on the improvements madeover the past two years.
In response to the results of the 2016 review, the School’s General Affairs
Committee, Steering Committee, and other relevant bodies have made concerted
efforts to drive improvements under the leadership of the board of directors. One such
improvement is the introduction of services that accommodate the needs of theSchool’s largely working-adult student body. Previously, for example, it was left toindividual teachers to provide make-ups for absent students, but now students are able
to view online video recordings of the lessons they miss.
The “Project Research” program carried out by the affiliated research instituteis a distinctive feature of the School. The initiative solicits a variety of research
proposals, accumulates data on company case studies, and uses the data incollaboration with local governments and companies to develop business professionals
and local innovation leaders. The project research program’s contribution torevitalization of the local community is worthy of recognition.
As for areas of improvement, problems with some of the syllabuses, whichwere found to be lacking in detail and clarity during the certified evaluation andaccreditation for professional graduate business school, have not been fully addressed.
Other issues that require improvement are the degree completion assessment

3

performed using criteria not stipulated in the “Degree Completion Review Committee
Regulations” and the lack of evaluation criteria for the “Project Design Plan,” a
research project deliverable. The School is also advised to revise its procedures foradministering the second round of the entrance exam (the written exam) as they could
give rise to questions regarding fairness, and to consider staffing the library withfull-time specialists.
The School’s fundamental challenge is to develop a clear definition of theconcept of “project design,” which is a distinguishing feature of the institute, andestablish it as a distinct field of study. This point was raised during the certified
evaluation and accreditation for professional graduate business schools. This issue isunder discussion by the Steering Committee and JUAA looks forward to seeing theoutcome of their efforts.
The School is advised to revise its regulations and/or their implementation, asdiscrepancies were observed between the written rules and actual practice. In future,
the Self-Study Committee is expected to carry out appropriate self-study and takenecessary steps based on its findings to drive further improvement.
Notable Strengths
Social Cooperation and Contribution
The School implements the social contribution program guided by the mission to“develop leaders in the field of project design” in collaboration with the city ofIida, Nagano Prefecture. The School invites local working adults to apply toparticipate in its program as “project researchers,” and sends its faculty members
to Iida to conduct classes and assist them engage in community revitalization
projects or launch new initiatives. The School is commended for returning thebenefits of education and research to society through this program and helping todevelop local innovation leaders in various fields by offering practical education
opportunities in partnership with local governments and private companies.

4Suggestions for Improvement
Educational Content, Methods, and Outcome


The School is advised to revise some of the syllabuses found lacking in detail andclarity. For example, some syllabuses do not have a detailed lecture plan and fail toindicate clear grading criteria.

The School is advised to stipulate in the “Graduate Student Handbook” a clear setof evaluation criteria for the “Project Design Plan,” a research project deliverable
assigned in seminar classes.

The Degree Completion Review Committee regulations stipulate that indetermining a student’s eligibility to graduate, members of the Degree Completion
Review Committee first exchange opinions based on a grading table and thenindependently grade the student; approval to graduate is given only when thestudent receives a score of 60 or higher out of 100 from all members. In practice,
however, the committee merely verifies whether the student has earned therequired number of credits for graduation and has passed the examination for theresearch project on a specified topic. The School is advised to correct thediscrepancy between the regulations and practice, which may include revising theregulations, and ensure the degree completion reviews are conducted
appropriately.

Enrollment
The School is advised to revise its procedures for administering the second roundof the entrance exam (the written exam), which presently could give rise toquestions regarding fairness.

Education and Research EnvironmentThe School is advised to staff the library with full-time librarians with specializedknowledge.