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

University of Kochi

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

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

University of Kochi

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Results
for the University of Kochi
Overview
The University of Kochi defines its educational principles as “conducting academic
research leading to the creation of knowledge with the aim of developing a peacefulsociety, improving people’s quality of life while contributing to the development oflocal cultures, and enhancing health and welfare through community-oriented
education and research.” The University also sets forth the mission of promoting
educational reforms, upgrading academic research, and strengthening social
cooperation activities while conducting assessment activities, with its administration
based on “respecting diversity,” “strengthening cooperation,” and “taking on
strategic challenges.” To achieve these principles and mission, the University has
been conducting educational and research activities under the Second Mid-term Planof Kochi Prefectural Public University Corporation during the six-year period fromFY2017, with the aim of educating students on how to identify and resolve
community challenges using specialized knowledge based on the principle of“Community-University Partnership.”Regarding the University’s internal quality assurance, the Self-Study
Steering Committee is positioned as a university-wide organization responsible forpromoting internal quality assurance. From a university-wide perspective, thecommittee assesses the results of faculty peer evaluations as well as annual selfstudies (annual reviews) by faculties, graduate schools, centers, and committees, withthe assessment results reported to the Education and Research Council andimprovements and enhancements undertaken in line with the University’s decisionmaking process. The University also uses the results of corporate and university
institutional evaluations in a continuous pursuit of better quality assurance. When theself-study results indicate the need for university-wide improvements, the University
Education Reform Committee takes swift action by launching projects under thepresident’s leadership and presenting proposals to the faculties and graduate schools.
As for the University’s education, the curricula are systematically designedwith subjects appropriately arranged for each degree program based on thecurriculum policy established and linked to the diploma policy. To monitor andevaluate student learning outcomes, the University carries out achievement surveys
linked to the diploma policy and learning outcomes, and creates a curriculum map to1

University of Kochi

check the outcomes through practical training and seminar subject grades. A rubric
has also been introduced to evaluate graduation theses and dissertations to assess
students’ acquisition of knowledge and skills.
Regarding the University’s graduate school education, all master’s
programs accept research outcomes on specific themes in place of master’s theses,
but the screening criteria are the same as those for the master’s theses. This situation
should be corrected with the screening criteria for specific-themed research clearly
defined. In terms of credit validity, the undergraduate programs allow students toregister for credits exceeding the upper limit when taking subjects for acquiring
qualifications, resulting in a credit overload for many students in certain faculties andfiscal years. With credit guidance insufficiently provided for students wishing toacquire qualifications, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure students havesufficient study hours for their credits.
The University undertakes the Community University Project –“Risshishachu” to implement the principle of “Community-University Partnership”
in line with its medium-term plan. Specifically, the project calls for student groups topromote and revitalize local cultures and address community challenges. Selected
teams are provided with financial support and advice as well as skills development
sessions aimed at encouraging student independence. It is highly commendable thatstudents’ self-directed learning is enhanced through this extracurricular activity. It isalso notable as a distinctive initiative with the University utilizing its resources tohelp address issues involving healthcare and nursing care in the community, with its
faculty and staff working together to build a base for securing and dispatching
visiting nurses to areas in Kochi Prefecture lacking in-home nursing care providers.
It is important for the University to continue its efforts to develop humanresources who can play active roles in the community and offer solutions tocommunity challenges, while constantly reviewing the outcomes of its activities,
making improvements, and widely disseminating its activities and outcomes to thepublic. The University is therefore expected to strengthen its internal quality
assurance structure and system, further enhance its education under the president’s
leadership, and work to promote high-quality research.
Notable Strengths
Student Support2

University of Kochi



The Community Center for the Advancement of Education and Researchorganizes the Community University Project–“Risshishachu” as an
extracurricular activity calling for student groups to promote and revitalize local
cultures and address community challenges. Selected teams are provided withfinancial support, skills development sessions, and consultation and advice fromfaculty and staff members. The program attracts many applicants, andparticipating students are working actively in various areas in Kochi Prefecture.
It is commendable that the project helps students build independence and acquire
planning skills, thereby enhancing their self-directed learning.

Social Cooperation and Contribution

The University’s faculty and staff work together to offer the Kochi PrefectureHome-Visit Nurses Training Course for Semi-Mountanious Areas with the aimof securing, training, and maintaining the necessary human resources for inhome nursing services in the prefecture’s mountainous areas. Specifically, thecourse provides introductory training based on a systematic curriculum
originally designed to teach the necessary in-home nursing knowledge andpractical skills. These approaches not only increase the number of home carenurses and nursing stations, but also open up new career paths by providing theopportunity for new graduates to work as home care nurses. It is commendable
that this initiative contributes to addressing healthcare, nursing, and welfare
issues in the community.

Suggestions for Improvement
Educational Program and Learning OutcomesStudents are allowed to register for credits exceeding the upper limit when taking
subjects for acquiring qualifications, resulting in a credit overload for asignificant number of first- and second-year students in the Faculty of CulturalStudies, Faculty of Social Welfare, and Faculty of Nutrition in certain fiscal years.
Credit guidance such as orientation is provided for students wishing to acquire
qualifications, but these measures are insufficient to ensure credit validity. Thisissue should be addressed in light of the purpose of the credit system.

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University of Kochi

Recommendation
Educational Program and Learning Outcomes
The Master’s Program of the Graduate School of Nursing and the Master’s
Program of the Graduate School of Human Life Sciences accept researchoutcomes on specific themes in place of master’s theses in accordance with thegraduate school regulations, but they only stipulate the screening criteria for themaster’s theses. This situation should be corrected with screening criteria
established for specific-themed research outcomes.

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