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

Prefectural University of Kumamoto

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: PublicLocation: Kumamoto, Japan

Accreditation Status
Year of the Review: 2022
Accreditation Status: accredited（Accreditation Period: April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2030）

Prefectural University of Kumamoto

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Resultsfor Prefectural University of Kumamoto
Overview
Prefectural University of Kumamoto sets forth “Gearing for Synthesis,” “PromisingLocalization,” and “Promoting Internationalization” as its educational principles, andthe purposes of the undergraduate and graduate schools as well as the educational
objectives of each faculty and graduate school are based on these principles. TheUniversity has formulated a medium-term plan to achieve the medium-term goals set
by Kumamoto Prefecture, which established the University. The medium-term plan
during the FY2018-FY2023 period focuses on “promoting education and research toenhance international perspectives and awareness,” “promoting education andresearch to establish wide-ranging collaboration with the local community,” and“responding to the needs of society and the times.” In light of these key goals, theUniversity strives to realize its principles and purposes.
Regarding internal quality assurance, the University has adopted the Basic
Self-Assessment Policy to conduct self-study of its activities in terms of the mediumterm and annual plans as well as JUAA’s evaluation criteria, before undergoingevaluation by external agencies. The self-study process is led by the Self-Assessment
Committee, while the Internal Quality Assurance Promotion Committee has been
established as an organization to verify the appropriateness of various educational
quality assurance initiatives based on the self-study results. In these ways, auniversity-wide system responsible for promoting internal quality assurance is inplace and functioning effectively.
In terms of education, the University has established diploma andcurriculum policies for each degree to be awarded based on its principles andpurposes, and the curricula are systematically designed with subjects appropriate foreach degree program. The Moyaist Development System in particular has beencreated to embody the University’s slogan of “Think Globally, Act Locally,” andfeatures the ongoing Moyaist Development Program for undergraduate students andthe newly launched Moyaist Global Program. It is highly commendable that theUniversity is further developing these distinctive human resource development
programs.
In addition, the University has undertaken outstanding student support
initiatives. The Prefectural University of Kumamoto Food and Nutrition Education

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Vision was developed as part of the ongoing food and nutrition education activities,
and the cross-faculty student group “Tabe Lab (Table Laboratory)” was created withthe aim of improving dietary and lifestyle habits, and disseminating information toincrease the interest in food among students and local communities. The group plays
a leading role in raising the awareness of food and health, both on campus and off,and promoting solutions to community challenges related to human resource
development and food.
As for social cooperation and contribution, the University operates theReconstruction and Revitalization Project for Disaster Areas to provide assistance inareas along the Kuma River heavily flooded by torrential rains in July 2020. In
addition, the University is promoting the Watershed Disaster Resilience project
aimed at achieving sustainable regional revitalization. These efforts are highly
commendable as they are expected to develop further to realize the University’s
principle of “Promising Localization.”
However, the University should improve the low ratio of student
enrollment to the student enrollment cap in some graduate schools.
In the years ahead, the University is expected to improve the quality of its
education and research through internal quality assurance efforts while advancing its
numerous distinctive initiatives, thereby making further progress toward realizing its
principles.
Notable Strengths
Educational Program and Learning OutcomesTo realize the principle of “Promising Localization,” the University has
undertaken the Moyaist Development Program aimed at developing key humanresources for regional revitalization by addressing various challenges incollaboration with local residents. In FY2020, the Moyaist Global Program waslaunched in line with the principle of “Promoting Internationalization.” The newprogram aims to nurture students who can play active roles on the global stage
through overseas study and internships, and return positive outcomes to thecommunity. With program eligibility requiring certain scores on language
proficiency tests administered by external organizations, this requirement helps
raise the applicants’ motivation to study English. It is commendable that theUniversity strives to constantly develop the Moyaist Development System and2Prefectural University of Kumamoto

embody the principle of “Promoting Internationalization” through education.
Student Support

The University has long been involved in food and nutrition education activities.
In FY2018, the University newly developed the Prefectural University ofKumamoto Food and Nutrition Education Vision to improve students’ dietary
habits, and the cross-faculty student group Tabe Lab (Table Laboratory) wascreated under the Section for Food & Nutrition Education. In charge of planningand management, students distribute recipe videos and hold lectures on foodstockpiling. It is commendable that these efforts are expected to help students
improve their dietary and lifestyle habits as well as promote solutions to foodand health issues in the community in the future.

Social Cooperation and Contribution
The University has undertaken the Reconstruction and Revitalization Project for
Disaster Areas in cooperation with municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture
affected by the July 2020 torrential rains. The University is designing temporary
housing units, conducting on-site surveys, and participating in volunteer
activities through seminars in different faculties and student volunteer projects.
The University is also involved in regional revitalization, community
engagement, and disaster prevention activities using the advanced researchoutcomes of its faculty members. For example, in flood damaged areas along theKuma River, the University is implementing the Watershed Disaster Resiliencemeasure to contribute to sustainable regional development and environmentalconservation. It is commendable that the University is utilizing its resources toreturn the outcomes of its educational and research activities to the local
community in cooperation with municipalities and businesses, in line with theprinciple of “Promising Localization.”

Suggestions for Improvement
Student Enrollment
The ratios of student enrollment to the student enrollment cap are low at 0.45 in

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Prefectural University of Kumamoto

the Master’s Degree Program of the Graduate School of Environmental &Symbiotic Sciences, 0.40 in the Master’s Degree Program of the Graduate
School of Administrative Studies, and 0.25 in the Doctoral Degree Program ofthe Graduate School of Administrative Studies. These ratios should be improved
with the graduate schools’ student quotas thoroughly managed.

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