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

Matsuyama University

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: Private

Location: Ehime, Japan

Accreditation Status
Year of the Review: 2020
Accreditation Status: accredited （Accreditation Period: April.1.2021 – March.31.2028）

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Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Resultsfor Matsuyama UniversityOverview
Matsuyama University advocates the idea of “School Precepts: Sanjitsu” consisting of
three “Precepts” in the form of “Truthful”, “Useful”, and “Faithful” as its educational
philosophy. It clearly sets its educational objectives and mission as practicing educationthat fosters a rational spirit and a spirit of independence. In addition, in order topermanently achieve the role of “knowledge hub,” the University has formulated an“Mid-term Plan” from AY 2019 to AY 2023 as a medium- to long-term plan and are
striving to enrich their education and research activities.
Regarding internal quality assurance, we have adopted a policy of proceeding
while attaching importance to discussions with each department, and from AY 2019, the“School Corporation Matsuyama University Check and Evaluation Promotion
Committee” (hereinafter “Check and Evaluation Promotion Committee”) is at the centerof a new system under which initiatives for verification and improvement are launchedbased on the checks and reviews of each department. However, the connection between
the checks and reviews conducted once every three years and the inspection / assessment
aspects of the “Business Plan” based on the “intermediate plan” is an issue for future
consideration. In addition, since the efforts of the internal quality assurance cycle at themember level have just begun, we expect future results in a way so that the internal quality
assurance system will function.
Regarding education, all faculties and graduate schools have organized theircurricula appropriately in accordance with the degree award policy (diploma policy) andcurriculum design and implementation policy (curriculum policy). All faculties aredevised so that students can take courses systematically and sequentially by presenting acurriculum map and course model showing the association between subjects. In addition,
efforts are being made to improve learning outcomes, such as focusing on small-group
education and adopting numerous practical lesson types such as fieldwork. Among theseefforts, “Liberal Arts Special Lecture (General Liberal Arts): School of Home Town” and“Liberal Arts Special Lecture (Career Education): Theory of Regional Industry Promotion”
etc., are offered as common subjects throughout the University. Also, just as with “EhimeEconomy” and “On Re-building a community” etc., from the Faculty of Economics,
subjects with roots in the locality are deployed to faculty specialized subjects, with acurriculum - one that suitably connects University-wide education and faculty specialized1Matsuyama University

education - prepared in line with the mission and purpose of the University. The point that
the University is developing and producing capable students who actually contribute to
the development of the region has produced results that embody the mission of theUniversity, which is commendable.
A major feature of social cooperation and social contribution is the point thatthey are promoted in a complementary manner with the development of practicaleducation throughout the University and its faculties. Not only does the University makethe “Matsuyama University Culture and Sports Open Lectures” available to thecommunity, revitalize the intellectual activities of the local community, and contribute tothe improvement of local education and cultural standards, but also introduces initiatives
such as “Kids College in the Holidays,” “School of Home Town,” and “School of Ehime
Venture Business.” Through these, the University becomes actively involved in andcontributes to issues faced by the community, which enables it to adhere to the educational
policy of fostering students in tandem with the community. Relationships with the public
and local communities have led to the actual growth of students, and it can be said that
this is an excellent initiative in the sense of embodying the “School Precepts: Sanjitsu”(i.e. Truthful, Useful, and Faithful) that is advocated as the University’s educational
philosophy.
Regarding the measurement of learning outcomes, the faculty has clearly statedin the syllabus that the goals of each lesson subject are related to the learning outcomesshown in the degree award policy, and it’s been established so that this can be measured
by granting credits. On the other hand, although the graduate school is trying to measurelearning outcomes based on the dissertation examination criteria, it is difficult to say thatthe relationship between these criteria and the degree award policy in the dissertation
examination criteria is clear. From AY 2020, an assessment policy and assessment
checklist have been introduced throughout the University, but there are some indicatorsthat suggest the learning outcomes shown in the measurement method and the degree
award policy are not linked, so further consideration is desired. In addition, there are
graduate schools where the number of students is not sufficiently secured and the ratio ofenrolled students to the capacity is low, so improvement is required here.
Going forward, we hope the University solves these issues by investing efforts
in internal quality assurance, and accelerates its numerous distinctive initiatives forfurther development of its program.

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Notable Strengths
Social Cooperation and Contribution
 The University has concluded cooperation agreements with local governments,
companies, and various organizations in Ehime, and both teachers and students
respectively commit to activities that contribute to the community, such as “Kids
College in the Holidays,” “School of Home Town,” and “School of Ehime Venture
Business.” In particular, “Kids College in the Holidays” is implemented for thepurpose of providing a welcoming place for elementary school students on longvacations and complementing the hands-on experiences of children (learning andplaying), leading to high levels of user satisfaction. At the same time, it also serves
as an opportunity for students involved as volunteers to think about their work-lifebalance over the course of this activity. In addition, as a “lifelong learning project”,
the University has developed five courses that provide the public with an opportunity
for lifelong learning in order to return the University's intellectual property, humanresources, and research results back to the community. They have devised topics andlecture fees which have been well received by the majority of attendees. In this way,by carrying out various activities that contribute to the community, while also
contributing to the improvement of local education and cultural standards, it
admirably embodies the development of students along with the community as a
“University rooted in the community” that the University is aiming for.
Suggestions for Improvement
Educational Program and Learning Outcomes In the Graduate School of Economics, Graduate School of Business Administration,Graduate School of Language Communication, Graduate School of Sociology,
Graduate School of Law, and Graduate School of Clinical Pharmacy, the relationshipbetween the measurement indicators of learning outcomes and each degree award
policy is unclear. Improvements are required to properly maintain these.
Student Enrollment
 The ratios of student enrollment to the student enrollment cap indicate low values
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with 0.15 in the Graduate School of Economics Master’s Course, 0.15 in the Graduate
School of Business Administration Master’s Course, 0.19 in the Graduate School ofSociology Master’s Course, 0.08 in the Graduate School of Economics Doctor’sCourse, and 0.17 in the Graduate School of Business Administration Doctor’sCourse. In addition, since there are no enrolled students in the Graduate School ofLanguage Communication Master’s Course, the University should significantly
improve graduate school quota management.

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