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

University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: Private

Location: Hyogo, Japan

Accreditation Status
Year of the Review: 2021
Accreditation Status: accredited （Accreditation Period: April.1.2022 – March 31, 2029）

University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Resultsfor University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences

Overview
The University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences was founded on thephilosophy of “contributing to world peace and fostering individuals who cancontribute to the realization of a truly prosperous society through scientificallyconducting research and education on marketing and distribution”, and has as its
purpose to “enable students to develop creative intelligence and application skills
through gaining a broader and better understanding of people, society, and culture,
as well as studying and learning about economics and business administration,
especially marketing and distribution, in a scientific manner, thereby fostering
individuals who can contribute to the peace of humanity and development of theinternational community.” In order to realize its founding philosophy and purpose,
the University has formulated the N-PLAN, Nakauchi Educational Institution Mid/Long-Term Plan and is working to achieve its goals.
As for internal quality assurance, the University has developed a structure
centered on the University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences EducationalCouncil (hereinafter “Educational Council”) and is making efforts to make its PDCA
cycle function effectively. However, since this internal quality assurance system wasestablished in late 2019, there are still very few examples of the system actuallyserving its function. Going forward, the JUAA hopes the University makes thesystem function effectively by learning from past activities.
Concerning education, each faculty and graduate school has appropriately
designed its curriculum according to the degree award policy (diploma policy) andcurriculum design and implementation policy (curriculum policy). The University
has created a course-taking flowchart and curriculum map that allow verification of
the sequential and systematic nature of curricula and the appropriateness of the goalsof each subject. Learning outcomes are measured on the basis of evaluation by
students and teachers using class questionnaires and learning portfolios. TheUniversity formulated the Learning Outcome Measurement and Assessment Policy(Assessment Policy) and the Learning Outcome Measurement and Assessment
Guidelines in 2021, establishing the guidelines and methods for identifying andmeasuring students’ learning outcomes. The University intends to identify andmeasures students’ learning outcomes with this system, which is expected to produce1University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences

favorable results.
A distinct feature of the University is that it uses requests for problem-solvingfrom the industrial sector, administrative agencies, local communities, and otherentities for student education as part of its social cooperation and contribution activity.
Of particular note are the activities focused on developing students’ active problemsolving skills, which are known as social co-creation activities. This is a highly
commendable initiative as it contributes to the founding philosophy.
On the other hand, there are issues related to credit substantiation and student
quota management. Specifically, regarding credit substantiation, although eachfaculty sets a limit to the number of credits students can register for in a year, aconsiderable number of students effectively exceed the credit registration limit
because they can take subjects to which the limit does not apply. Although syllabuses
describe the required preparation and review, and the system has been revised,measures to substantiate the credits are insufficient. Improvements are required inlight of the purpose of the credit system.
Going forward, the JUAA hopes the University makes its internal quality
assurance system function effectively, makes all faculty and staff members consciousof their roles and gets them involved with students, and solves the aforementioned
issues by leveraging its management culture under which not only staff but also
faculty members have administrative responsibilities, while also developing social
co-creation activities and other distinctive initiatives.
Notable Strengths
Social Cooperation and Contribution
 The University has established a social cooperation and contribution policy inline with the University’s philosophy, and the Social Cooperation Promotion
Committee plays a central role in promoting social co-creation activities. Notablesocial co-creation activities include the Kobe Innovators Grand Prix (I-1 GrandPrix), a program aimed at developing innovating talent in which participants
work with companies to develop products and business ideas, the M
Lab/Problem Solving Lab that is held in collaboration with a local newspaper
agency and the Hyogo Prefectural Government, and the Industry-Academia
Cooperation Project that is held in collaboration with organizations such as
Hyogo Printing Industry Association Co., Ltd. These activities are based onrequests for problem-solving from the industrial sector, administrative agencies,
local communities, and various other entities to the University, individual2

University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences

faculties, and faculty members and form part of the student education program.
This is a commendable initiative that contributes to achieving the University’s
philosophy of fostering individuals who can contribute to the realization of atruly prosperous society.
Suggestions for Improvement
Educational Program and Learning Outcomes Although the maximum number of credits that students can register for in a year
has been set in the Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Economics, and Faculty of
Human and Social Sciences, the University allows students to register for credits
in excess of the maximum number with regard to a range of subjects, including
those related to acquisition of a teaching qualification. There are a considerable
number of students who register for credits in excess of the maximum number.
Although the system has been revised in response to the above, and syllabuses
describe the required preparation and review, measures to substantiate the credits
are insufficient. Therefore, improvements are required in light of the purpose of
the credit system.
In the Graduate School of Marketing and Distribution Sciences’ Major inMarketing and Distribution Sciences, separate examination criteria do not exist
for the thesis and the research assignment results (the criteria are the same). Thisshould be improved.

Student Enrollment
 In the last five years, the average ratio of the enrollment number to the enrollment
quota has been high at 1.25 for the Faculty of Economics’ Department ofEconomics. This should be improved to ensure proper undergraduate student
quota management.

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