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

Akita International University

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: Public

Location: Akita, Japan

Accreditation Status
Year of the Review: 2021
Accreditation Status: accredited （Accreditation Period: April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2029）

Akita International University

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Resultsfor Akita International University

Overview
Akita International University defines its purpose as “to educate students so that they
may use their fluency and practical skills in foreign languages, especially in English,
and broader knowledge of global issues to contribute to the prosperity of both theinternational and local community.” To this end, the University has established aFaculty of International Liberal Arts and a Graduate School of Global
Communication and Language (professional degree program). Both theundergraduate and graduate programs have their own mission statements, with theundergraduate program’s mission being “to prepare students to be leaders in globalsociety” based on the philosophy of “international liberal arts education” of‘international liberal arts education’” and the graduate program’s mission being “toprepare students for careers in professional communication fields that make positive
contributions to today’s global society.” These are based on the objectives of thepublic university corporation, and in order to realize them, the University has
established a medium-term plan based on the medium-term goals set out by Akita
Prefecture. Furthermore, in 2014, the University drew up the “Akita InternationalUniversity Long-Term Vision,” which takes a general 10-year view of theinstitution’s future status and direction, and is striving to develop talented personnel
who will be useful to society.
In terms of internal quality assurance, the “Academic Affairs ExecutiveCommittee” is positioned as the central body for promoting internal quality assurance,
while the “Self-Evaluation Committee” and “Graduate School Self-Evaluation
Committee” conduct checks and reviews for the undergraduate and graduate schools,
respectively, in accordance with annual plans. Initiatives for improvement arediscussed by the “Academic Affairs Executive Committee” for matters relating to theundergraduate division and by the “Graduate School Management Committee” underthe Education and Research Council for matters relating to the graduate school.
Finally, the “University Management Committee” deliberates on measures related tothe intake of students, budgets, etc. necessary for the implementation of theseinitiatives. As such, the JUAA can conclude that PDCA cycle management and theinternal quality assurance system are functioning, as each organization has assigned
roles of their own and are working in cooperation with each other to comprehensively
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consider and implement internal quality assurance. Furthermore, it is commendable
that as part of this system, the University has implemented multiple assessments
adopting a global perspective, such as evaluations by an External Evaluation
Committee, acquisition of international joint accreditation including overseas
accreditation agencies, and benchmark assessments based on information fromoverseas liberal arts colleges, thereby ensuring objectivity in assessment andproactively addressing assessment from external perspectives in line with theUniversity’s objectives.
Regarding education, three policies (degree award policy, curriculum design
and implementation policy, and student admission policy) have been developed to set
out a sequential curriculum in which students pursue their own assignments inpreparation for the “Capstone Seminar,” which is the culmination of their studies. Inparticular, all students are required to study abroad for one year during theirenrollment, and for this reason, the University has established a generous system that
includes an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program and Special Advising
Care (SAC) in the first year of study. These efforts are worthy of special mention inthat they provide education that enables students to acquire advanced language skills
through education and support, and to independently identify and solve problems
from an interdisciplinary perspective by integrating field-specific learning and study
abroad experience. In terms of measurement of learning outcomes, the undergraduate
division has made GPA a requirement for graduation, study abroad, etc., and is
working on visualizing outcomes by creating a new rubric for the four componentsof language proficiency, as well as implementing multifaceted measurement andevaluation based on the Collegiate Learning Assessment used at US universities,
while the graduate division is working on measurement and evaluation based ondegree award policies through strict grade management and teaching surveys. Inaddition, since AY2021, the University has advocated “Applied International LiberalArts (AILA),” a development of the traditional liberal arts education, and has been
undertaking new forms of education by establishing three study areas (GlobalBusiness, Global Studies, and Global Connectivity) under the Department ofInternational Liberal Arts. It is commendable that, by integrating these three study
areas, the University is implementing effective education that cultivates the ability to
discuss issues from multiple perspectives beyond students’ own areas ofspecialization. In addition, as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, an “ITTask Force” was launched to coincide with the introduction of online education. In
addition to making efforts to manage operations so that there is no disruption to2

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education, the establishment of the “Student Online Class Supporters” system is adistinctive feature of the initiative.
The University promotes autonomous learning through student life inconjunction with education, and has created an environment conducive to suchlearning. Specifically, it is highly commendable that the University has enhanced its
educational impact by providing student dormitories, a library with 24-hour access,and various centers that promote autonomous and passive learning, thereby ensuring
a seamless relationship between learning at the University and interacting and livingwith students. In addition, the development of student dormitories into “ThemedHouses” is intended to deepen the understanding of and exchange with different
cultures through daily life.
Furthermore, in order to fulfill its role as a public university, the University isalso committed to social cooperation and social contribution. It is highly
commendable that the University is making efforts to improve the language skillsnecessary for the internationalization of the region by holding “Teachers’ Seminars”
for English teachers at elementary and junior high schools in and outside theprefecture as well as various seminars for children and students.
As mentioned above, the University has been promoting advanced andambitious educational activities to contribute to the local community by cultivating
talented individuals who can play an active role in global society, and is constantlyexperimenting with new educational methods. Going forward, the JUAA hopes that
the President’s leadership and university-wide academic management will bethoroughly implemented from the perspective of global standards, and that theobjectives and mission statement of the corporation and the university will be
fulfilled through the effective operation and testing of the internal quality assurance
system.
Notable Strengths
Educational Program and Learning Outcomes All students are required to study abroad for one year during their enrollment,
and in their first year, students undergo the English for Academic Purposes(EAP) in proficiency level-based classes to acquire the skills necessary to study
abroad. The program uses a rubric to visualize ability, and students who require
supplementary instruction are given guidance under the Special Advising Care(SAC) system. Expanding on these existing efforts, the University has launched“Applied International Liberal Arts (AILA),” which integrates the four skills of3

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English with field-specific learning and study abroad experience, yielding an
educational method that allows students to independently discover and solve
tasks from an interdisciplinary perspective. This is commendable for its
effectiveness in cultivating the ability to discuss issues from multiple
perspectives beyond students’ own areas of specialization.
Education and Research Environment A multicultural campus that seamlessly provides opportunities for students tolearn and interact with each other has been established through learning facilities
such as student dormitories, a library with 24-hour access, the Active Learning
and Assessment Center (ALAC), which encourages students to study
independently, and the Language Development and Intercultural Studies Center(LDIC), which provides support for self-directed foreign language study. In
addition, Themed Houses, where students live in dormitories based on themes of
their own interest will be established, providing opportunities for Japanese andinternational students to deepen their understanding of the culture of Japan andAkita Prefecture, as well as the languages and cultures of other countries. It iscommendable that through global exchange and the discovery of local values, aswell as the multicultural environment that contributes to the local community,
the university cultivates an understanding of the importance of harmony in daily
life and the ability to achieve it.
Social Cooperation and Contribution
 The university has set out support for school education in its medium-term goals
and medium-term plan. This includes support for improving the English
communication skills of junior and senior high school students in and outside of
the prefecture through the “English Village,” “Teachers’ Seminars” for English
teachers at elementary and junior high schools in and outside of the prefecture,exchange of students including international students to elementary and juniorhigh schools, and various seminars for high school students to improve theirEnglish language skills. It is commendable that the program has led to theimprovement of language skills necessary for the internationalization of Akita
Prefecture and other parts of the region while involving students and foreignexchange students.

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