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

The Tottori University of Environmental Studies

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

Accreditation Status
Year of the Review: 2013
Accreditation Status: accredited （Accreditation Period:April.01.2014 – March.31.2021）

2

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Results
for the Tottori University of Environmental Studies
Notable Strengths
Faculty and faculty organization

It is commendable that as a public university, the Tottori University ofEnvironmental Studies (hereafter, the University) has systematically developed
education and research closely related to the local community. The Sustainability
Research Institute focuses on the “study of establishing the 3Rs(reduce-reuse-recycle) by utilizing the waste-related biomass system deployedfrom Japan to greater Asia,” and has promoted the installation of acommunity-based biomass circulation system. Also, in the Regional Innovation
Institute, full-time faculty have conducted many studies and surveys at the requestof communities from Tottori Prefecture and Tottori City. The results of the research
conducted by these institutions have been widely published on the web and insymposiums.

Educational content, methods, and outcome

It is commendable that the University has implemented a curriculum andeducational content that focus on communication and presentation skills. “ProjectResearch 1 to 4” are required courses for first and second year students. In thesecourses, students choose the topic they want to study from the themes set by theinstructor. The themes are derived from environmental problems or issues closelyrelated to the region. The University organizes students into small groups andplaces emphasis on field seminars to achieve the mission and purpose of theUniversity, which is to foster persons of talent who can think and act bythemselves.

Student supportIt is commendable that the Follow-up Student System is a detailed study support
system with aftercare measures, and it has worked effectively in reducing attrition
rates. Targeted at freshmen, the system has been instituted to prevent early
withdrawal since 2007. Members of the Student Life and Career Service
Committee consult with those students who frequently miss required classes, and,while keeping in contact with tutors appointed for each student, take actions torespond to each individual situation. When the student advances to the second year,
the Educational Affairs Division transfers the student to the next tutor.

It is commendable that as a study support for students with disabilities, theUniversity has instituted the “computer-assisted summary scribe support system.”
The system not only enables students with visual and hearing disabilities to takethe classes, but it also contributes significantly to students’ understanding of classcontent. Students who take the summary scribe workshop sponsored by Tottori
Prefecture record their summary of the class by computer.

It is commendable that the English Village began to produce positive results, suchas an increase in the number of applicants for an English study tour overseas in
New Zealand and the cultivation of international understanding. The English
Village was established in 2012 to improve English conversational skills and3communication skills, and the Village has facilitated practical English language
learning through conversation with multiple non-Japanese staff.
Social cooperation and contribution
It is commendable that the lecture series offered by the University contributes tosociety by using the intellectual property of the University. As the University
became publically funded, the frequency and types of lectures offered have grown,
and the series has been highly appreciated by those who have attended the lectures.
The University has held the lecture series open to the general public since 2004,
and since 2012 it has held various lecture series according to the needs of the localcommunity. Examples of these include a business seminar series targeted toworking people who are seeking to advance their careers, a culture seminar series
including craft-making, childrearing, and human rights issues, and a science related
seminar series targeted to grade school students during the summer or wintervacations.

Suggestions for Improvement
Educational content, methods, and outcome


The Graduate School of Environmental and Information Studies does not define
the required knowledge and competencies for completing its programs in thedegree-granting policies. This should be improved.

The web page of the Department of Social Environments in the Graduate School ofEnvironmental and Information Studies indicates that the department implements
education based on “accounting” and “business administration,” and it lists“chartered accountant” and “certified tax accountant” as future careers, but nocourses related to these academic disciplines or professions are offered in thecurriculum.

In the Department of Environmental Design in the Graduate School ofEnvironmental and Information Studies, syllabi are created using the same format
as the undergraduate department; however, the contents of the syllabi vary in theirspecificities. This should be improved. Also, while the syllabi of the Department ofSocial Environment and the Department of Information Systems use originalformats, they offer only the course contents and do not include major informationsuch as attainment objectives, the course schedule, and the method of evaluation.
This should be improved.

Regarding the improvement of educational content and methods, the Graduate
School of Environmental and Information Studies does not institute anymechanism for ongoing improvement, such as systematic FD (FacultyDevelopment) activities. This should be improved.

The Graduate School of Environmental and Information Studies has not clarified
the criteria for examining degree-seeking theses. These criteria should be clarified
to students in advance and stated in a publication such as the Campus Guide.

Enrollment
In the Graduate School of Environmental and Information Studies, the ratio ofenrolled students to the student enrollment cap is low at 0.23. This should be4improved.
Education and Research Environment
The library does not subscribe to online academic journals. From the standpoint ofresearch support for faculty and students, the situation should be improved.

The teaching load of each faculty member is heavy, and varies among faculties andpositions. From the standpoint of securing time for research, there should be proper
time allocated to teaching and research.