HOKUSHO UNIVERSITY（北翔大学）
Evaluation summary
Standard 1. Mission and Objectives, etc.
Based on the University’s founding principles of “Aiming to produce human resources capable ofearnestly and creatively responding to constant changes in society, nurturing independent adultmembers of society who have acquired a high degree of specialization and broad knowledge”, theUniversity’s mission, goals and educational objectives are clearly prescribed in the University andGraduate School Regulations and made widely known both on-campus and outside of theUniversity via the University website. Furthermore, the University appropriately tailors its
educational objectives in order to respond to changes in society.
The University’s mission, goals and educational objectives are reflected in the three policies ofdiploma policy, curriculum policy, and admission policy, and furthermore the Third Incorporated
Educational Institution Asai Gakuen Medium-Term Plan (2016 to 2030 academic years) has beenpromulgated to ensure that these are achieved.
Standard 2. Learning and Teaching
The University’s admission policy is made public via the University’s website and entrant
selection is carried out in accordance with this policy; however, some departments are not meeting
their enrollment quotas and each department is pursuing measures to rectify this situation. TheUniversity’s educational curriculum has been organized based on its educational objectives, andupper limits have been set for the number of credits that may be registered. Furthermore, theUniversity Health Center, Student Counselling Office, and other facilities work in collaboration toprovide students with support for learning and class instruction. With regard to the awarding ofdegrees, screening is carried out strictly by multiple faculties, with decisions made following
deliberations by department meetings, faculty meetings, and the Faculty Council. With regard tocareer education, subjects aimed at fostering employability have been incorporated into theeducational curriculum, with internships for Second and Third Year students set and implemented as
University-wide common subjects. The results of student tuition evaluation questionnaires aredisclosed and made publicly available, with faculty submitting comments in response to theseresults, leading to improvements in educational content and methods as well as learning guidance. A
Student Living Support Committee has been established to provide support for student living andplays a central role in Student Personnel Services. The number of full-time faculty meets theStandards for Establishment of Universities, and the University endeavor to enhance the quality andability of faculty. An educational environment—including university grounds, libraries, andgymnasiums—has been appropriately provided and is being utilized effectively.
Standard 3. Management, Administration and Finance
The goals of the University’s incorporated entity are clearly prescribed in the articles ofendowment and internal regulations have been formulated in compliance with the relevant laws andordinances, establishing structure and governance. In addition to the Board of Directors, theUniversity has established an Executive Committee and an Internal Directors’ Study Group,
constructing a system enabling flexible and strategic decision-making. Furthermore, to ensure that
University operations are carried out under the University President’s own leadership, the President
acts as the Chairperson of both the Faculty Council and the Operation and Planning Committee.
Comprising the Chair of the Board of Directors, Senior Directors, the President, and the Vice
Presidents, the Executive Committee and Internal Directors Study Group function as forums forboth obtaining mutual understanding and making mutual checks between the University’s
incorporated entity and the University. Staff Development (SD) regulations aimed at enhancing thequality and ability of staff have been established, and training workshops are conducted. In the 2016academic year, the operation income and expenditure balance for both the University alone and theUniversity’s incorporated entity overall was in the black, maintaining fiscal balance. Accounting
procedures are carried out appropriately in accordance with accounting regulations based on theAccounting Standards for Incorporated Educational Institutions.
Standard 4. Self-Inspection and Evaluation
Under Hokusho University Inspection and Evaluation Regulation, an appropriate system forimplementing self-inspections and evaluations, including the establishment of an Inspection andEvaluation Committee, has been created; independent and autonomous self-inspections andevaluations are carried out, and evaluation and accreditation measures are also being implemented.
Furthermore, surveys and data collection/analysis are carried out by the General Administration
Division of Secretariat under the auspices of the Inspection and Evaluation Committee, andself-inspections and evaluations are performed based on the evidence provided by this information.
With regard to issues identified in the evaluation processes implemented by the Inspection andEvaluation Committee, a PDCA cycle framework has been established whereby hearings areconducted with the relevant department and solutions implemented.
In summary, the University is conducting education and research activities appropriately inaccordance with its founding principles and its mission and goals, which are based on the founding
principles. The Third Incorporated Educational Institution Asai Gakuen Medium-Term Plan (2016to 2030 academic years) is being steadily implemented, and initiatives aimed at enabling theUniversity to contribute to the local community are being pursued based on a stable fiscal balance.
Note that with regard to the University’s unique initiatives regarding its mission and goals, thegeneral comments on “Standard A. Community collaboration” should be referred to.