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

Sagami Women's University

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: PrivateLocation: Kanagawa, Japan

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

Sagami Women’s University

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Resultsfor Sagami Women’s University

Overview
Sagami Women’s University defines its objective as ‘providing women with a broad
range of advanced knowledge, to conduct in-depth teaching and research in
specialized arts and sciences, to develop intellectual, moral, and practical abilities,
and to cultivate well-rounded individuals in accordance with the founding spirit of“high aspirations, strong convictions, and a sensibility for beauty”.’ Meanwhile, thepurpose of Sagami Women’s University Graduate School is ‘to contribute to society
by cultivating individuals with rich academic knowledge and advanced researchcapabilities based on sound professional ethics. ’To this end, the University has
adopted its slogan Learn to Look. Learn to Discover. In addition, the University has
formulated a new medium-term plan, Sagami Vision 2020, which outlines theconceptualization of the University after 2020. The University is currently addressing
its educational and research activities based on its philosophy and future objectives.
To improve quality assurance, the Quality Assurance Committee, chaired bythe President, was established in AY2019 and has been tasked with developing auniversity-wide internal quality assurance system. In the past, the Self- Assessment
Committee, chaired by the President, conducted appraisals. After deliberation by theUniversity Council, each faculty, department, and the administrative department
made improvements and enhanced their activities through the Faculty Council.
Under the new system, however, the Quality Assurance Committee draws up a basic
policy for self-assessment. Then the Self-Assessment Committee carries out
appraisals and reports its findings back to the Quality Assurance Committee for it todevelop measures for improvement and enhancement before being submitted to theUniversity Council. The introduction of this system has helped clarify the roles ofeach committee and council and established a system for straightforward
improvements and enhancement. However, since this system will essentially function,
starting with improvement initiatives based on the results of self-assessment andUniversity evaluation, it is hoped that this new process will be fully highly effectiveat ensuring quality assurance.
Regarding education, a university-wide degree award policy (diploma policy),a curriculum design and implementation policy (curriculum policy), and anadmission policy have been established at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and1

Sagami Women’s University

curricula are appropriately organized in accordance with the curriculum design andimplementation policy. In addition, the Interdisciplinary Program, was launched in
AY2016 as a new educational system that transcends the framework of faculties anddepartments. Furthermore, a curriculum tree (map) has been created for eachdepartment and graduate school that uses the curriculum’s sequential and systematic
structure and subject numbering has been introduced to systematize the educational
curriculum and achieve effective learning.
It is a commendable initiative worthy of note that the university is enhancing
its activities to promote independent career development through social contribution
experiences. For example, the Center for Fulfilling Dreams was established inAY2018 to develop students’ careers through community volunteer work andoverseas exchanges under the title Sagami Challenge Program. Meanwhile,
Margaret Study has been introduced as a learning method for students to set goals
before and after their activities.
On the other hand, there are items that need to be improved and matters that
require substantial implementation. For example, from the perspective of enhancing
functioning learning, a cap should be introduced on the number of courses students
can register. Also, problems exist with an excessive or insufficient number of students
enrolled in some University departments and the Graduate school. Therefore, thewhole University is strongly urged to ensure proper student quota management.
Regarding the monitoring of learning outcomes, since the assessment method
under the established assessment policy is still under consideration, JUAA hopes that
future measures will be taken based on university-wide educational management. Inaddition, it is hoped that the newly established internal quality assurance system will
be put into practical operation to develop further the initiatives identified as notablestrengths, and to resolve the problems identified through this check and review. TheJUAA hopes that the University works on such initiatives to make furtherimprovements.
Notable Strengths
Social Cooperation and Contribution
 To assist with regional issues, the Center for Fulfilling Dreams was establishedto develop existing social contribution activities and activities linked to students’career development, such as regional volunteer activities and overseas exchanges.
These have been brought together as the Sagami Challenge Program. In addition,
diverse regional revitalization efforts in traditional culture, food, agriculture, and2

Sagami Women’s University

alike are being undertaken in collaboration with local communities andbusinesses. Also noteworthy is the establishment of the Margaret Study learning
method, which incorporates students’ self-analysis, goal-setting, andreflection before and after participation in activities supported by advisors,including graduates and external lecturers. These activities demonstrate theUniversity’s commitment to promoting independent career development throughsocial contribution experiences.
Suggestions for Improvement
Educational Program and Learning Outcomes The cap limiting the number of courses students can register for needs to bestrengthened. Presently, students can exceed the limit when registering forcourses related to acquiring qualifications other than general university-wide
courses and specialized education courses. In some departments, a large numberof students register for courses beyond the limit, resulting in a large number ofregistered credits. Therefore, improvements are required to ensure that credits
are fully substantiated in light of the purpose of the credit system.
Student Enrollment
 The ratio of student enrollment to the student enrollment cap is low at 0.17 in theGraduate School of Nutritional Sciences. This should be improved to ensure
proper graduate student quota management.
Recommendation
Student Enrollment
 Over the last five years, the average ratio of freshman enrollment to the freshmanenrollment cap for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Design
Studies for Innovative Life has been high at 1.32. The University should takecorrective measures to ensure proper undergraduate student quota management.

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