Results for Certified Evaluation and Accreditation for Junior College

Iwate Prefectural University, Miyako Junior College

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

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

Iwate Prefectural University, Miyako Junior College

Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Results forIwate Prefectural University, Miyako Junior College
Overview
Iwate Prefectural University, Miyako Junior College (hereafter, the College), establishedin response to the regional demand for expanded higher education in Iwate Prefecture’s
coastal area, defines its purpose as “to develop in students professional and practical life
skills imparted through education and research of a broad range of knowledge and indepth expertise, and to contribute to local and global community development.”
Internal quality assurance is carried out according to the College’s Medium-term
Plan formulated by the Medium-term Plan Development Committee, a university-wide
entity represented by the adjoining Iwate Prefectural University, Iwate PrefecturalUniversity, Morioka Junior College, and the College itself, and promoted under theresponsibility of the University Evaluation Committee. The Medium-term Plan includes
both university-wide plans and college- and department-specific plans, and is
implemented with its progress and delivery reported on by the university-wide
Administrative Offices comprised of the Center for the Advancement of Higher
Education, Education Support Office, Student Support Office, Research and Regional
Cooperation Office, Planning Office, and General Affairs Division. The College’s yearlymedium-term activities are externally audited by the Iwate Prefectural Incorporated
Administrative Agency Evaluation Committee. The college-specific plan is executed by
the College’s various committees, with the Internal Operations Council responsible for
producing an activity report for submission to the Administrative Offices. As describedabove, an internal quality assurance system is in place and functioning with the College’sautonomy respected. However, such matters as the authority, division of roles andresponsibilities, and procedures of the internal quality assurance system are not clearly
defined in the university-wide Internal Quality Assurance Policy. There is also the issueof the College’s operation as a single-major school being constrained by its limited staff.
To ensure consistent implementation of internal quality assurance, the authority, roles andresponsibilities, and procedures of the internal quality assurance system should be clearlystipulated in a university-wide policy or other such regulations.
The College’s education is conducted by the Department of Business
Management and Information Sciences under a curriculum created in line with thediploma and curriculum policies aimed at developing specialized knowledge and skills.
The distinctive features of the education program include the basic and special research

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Iwate Prefectural University, Miyako Junior College

seminars offered in a small-class format to encourage active and self-directed learning,and personal instruction available during regular office hours provided by all teachers
every Wednesday and at “Office Hour Plus,” an individually-scheduled teacher-studentmeeting. With respect to the assessment and evaluation of learning outcomes, auniversity-wide assessment policy was adopted in AY2020. The assessment policy, which
took effect in AY2022, specifies the timing and method of assessment by level, theexpected learning outcomes corresponding to the timing and method of assessment, andhow the learning outcome data are to be used and published. The College is expected tocontinue monitoring and evaluating student learning outcomes in accordance with therelatively new assessment policy.
The College offers outstanding social cooperation and contribution activities.
One such activity is the on-going research projects conducted through the university-wide
Center for Regional Policy Studies aimed at addressing regional issues. Research topics
for projects are proposed by Iwate-based community organizations in response toinvitations from the Center. As a collaborative effort involving local high schools,
government agencies, and various civic groups, these community projects are a form ofsocial contribution through research activities. Furthermore, many students participate instudent community service groups such as the Junior Red Cross (JRC) and the tourismclub. Some students serve on the Miyako City-organized committee tasked with
community revitalization and development. These community service activities are ahighly commendable practical learning experiences that integrate specialized education
with social contribution.
As described above, with the aim of achieving its purpose and mission, theCollege formulates, implements, and evaluates yearly plans based on its medium-termgoals and plans. Efforts are underway to improve the College’s teaching, research, andcommunity contribution programs. Going forward, the College is expected to continue
promoting its on-going efforts to monitor and evaluate student learning outcomes and tofurther improve its education and research.
Notable Strengths
Social Cooperation and Contribution
The Center for Regional Policy Studies leads an institution-wide effort to address
regional problems by inviting Iwate-based community organizations to submit
project proposals, and working on these projects to formulate solutions or funding2

Iwate Prefectural University, Miyako Junior College

studies that lead to solutions. The College steadily contributes to the Center’s efforts
with faculty members participating in various research projects, such as the study on
effective policy measures to increase the female population in prefectural regions andthe study on developing new benefit packages through the collaborative efforts ofagricultural corporations. It is commendable that the College promotes community
contribution in partnership with local government agencies, high schools, and otherentities to help address regional problems.
 Under the guidance and support of the teaching staff, student community service
groups such as the Junior Red Cross (JRC) and the tourism club participate involunteer activities, assisting in recovery efforts after the Great East Japan
Earthquake and Tsunami in the city of Miyako, and helping to organize local festivals.
Some students serve on the Miyako City-organized committee tasked withcommunity revitalization and development, offering suggestions andrecommendations to enhance the city’s attraction as a tourism destination. These arecommendable social contribution programs that develop in students the basic skillsof a working professional and also provide learning experiences that integrate
specialized education with community service.

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