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

Nakamura Gakuen University

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: Private

Location: Fukuoka, Japan

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

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Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Resultsfor Nakamura Gakuen University

Overview
Nakamura Gakuen University inherits the educational ideals of the founder as its
founding spirit and embodies a philosophy that emphasizes the three perspectives of“base for human education” “basis of educational practice,” and “basics of educationand research.” The University sets its purpose as “striving to integrate theory andpractice, endeavoring for education and research that emphasizes integration ofacademics and daily life, and fostering talented individuals capable of contributing
to the development of society and growth of culture.” The University has created theEighth Medium-term Comprehensive Plan as its medium-term plan for the period set
from AY2021 to AY2023 to achieve its mission and purpose and is making efforts toimprove its educational and research activities.
The University has not established a framework for the promotion of internal
quality assurance, and policies and procedures are not yet functioning as intended.
Although the Self-Study Committee and the FD Center are considering theirrespective measures regarding the two PDCA cycles based on the University’sbusiness plan and the university standards of the JUAA, the Nakamura Gakuen
University (including the Junior College) Advisory Council (hereinafter, “AdvisoryCouncil”), the body responsible for promoting internal quality assurance, is notinvolved in the improvement process of both these entities, and there is no evidenceof cooperation among organizations. Before being inspected by the Self-Study
Committee, the results of checks and reviews of secretariat organizations regarding
student support and social cooperation are in practice being inspected by the Office
Management and Planning Council, which is presided over by the General Managerof the corporation. Thus, a body that is different than what is stated in the policy isinvolved with internal quality assurance. Moving on, the University should clarify
the relationship between the Advisory Council and the Self-Study Committee, FDCenter, and Office Management and Planning Council and make corrections toensure that its internal quality assurance functions effectively, led by the Advisory
Council.
Regarding education, all undergraduate and graduate divisions have for themost part designed their curricula suitably based on their degree award policies andcurriculum design and implementation policies. Nevertheless, the University should
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improve issues surrounding measures to substantiate credits in some faculties andmeasure learning outcomes described in degree award policies of graduate schools.
Also, regarding student enrollment, over enrollment in some faculties is anissue. This should be improved to ensure proper undergraduate student quota
management.
Outstanding initiatives are evident as well. The Teaching Support Program
aimed at new faculty members and practitioner faculty members encourages
improving the quality of new faculty members, etc. and provides an opportunity forfaculty and staff members managing the program to reflect upon the University.
Significant results can be anticipated for the improvement of the facultyorganizational framework as a whole. The N Project is one of the University’s social
cooperation and contribution activities where students’ flexible ideas are used to plan
activities for local contribution. It is highly commendable that the University
supports the autonomous activity of students through this project.
In applying for this round of certified evaluation and accreditation by theJUAA, the University has identified issues on its own using the process of self-study
based on the university criteria set forth by the JUAA. For issues identified, the FDCenter, which promotes university-wide education reform activities, proposed aneducation system reform plan in AY2021. Although exploratory initiatives aimed
mainly at educational reform are evident, the JUAA hopes that an effective,
university-wide internal quality assurance system is established with the Advisory
Council at its core. Furthermore, it is anticipated that not only management of target
achievement status and resolution of issues is achieved by each of the departments
but also a solid base is built so that various unique initiatives by the University as awhole can continue and lead to further development.
Notable Strengths
Faculty and Faculty Organization
The Teaching Support Program which began in 2020 is aimed at new faculty
members and practitioner faculty members so that they can learn about theUniversity’s mission as well as the roles and duties of faculty members. The
program helps them gain basic education knowledge to improve their abilities.
This program provides various opportunities for new faculty members and others
to improve their own level of classroom instruction and encourages their qualityenhancement. It is an opportunity for faculty and staff members running theprogram to reflect upon the University’s mission and classroom instruction, and2

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it can be commended as an initiative promising significant results for theimprovement of the faculty organization as a whole.
Social Cooperation and Contribution
The N Project, which was started in AY2016, is an initiative that calls upon
students to submit ideas regarding community contribution, and those who are
selected after internal screening receive funding support from the University.
Activities planned by students are acclaimed by participants within thecommunity, and the number of activities selected has been increasing since thestart of the project. Students plan and also manage the activities, and they goover them and identify issues for improvement, once the activity is completed.
Through the N Project, students learn independence and cooperation, and in lightof the University’s purpose, it is commendable that the University supports
students in their autonomous activities.

Suggestions for Improvement
Educational Program and Learning Outcomes
Although the maximum number of credits that students can register for in asingle year is set in the Department of Business, Marketing and Distribution in
the Faculty of Business, Marketing and Distribution, it does not apply to transfer
students. Also, although the maximum number of credits that students canregister for in a single year is set in the Department of Early Childhood andElementary Educationin the Faculty of Education for the first year, there are some courses for which
credits do not apply to this limit. Consequently, several students register for
credits above the maximum number. Although there are measures to substantiatecredits university-wide, they are insufficient. Improvements are required in lightof the purpose of having a credit system.

While learning outcomes in graduate schools are measured using the master’s
thesis and doctoral dissertation examinations, the relationship between criteriafor examining theses and learning outcomes is unclear, and improvement isrequired.

Student Enrollment
In the last five years, the average ratio of freshman enrollment to the freshman
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Nakamura Gakuen Universityenrollment cap has been as high as 1.27 in the Department of Business,Marketing and Distribution in the Faculty of Business, Marketing andDistribution. This should be improved to ensure proper undergraduate student
quota management.
Recommendation
Internal Quality Assurance
Although the Self-Study Committee and the FD Center are considering theirrespective measures regarding the two PDCA cycles based on the University’sbusiness plan and the university standards of the JUAA, the Advisory Council,
the body responsible for promoting internal quality assurance, is not involved in
the improvement process of both these entities, and there is no evidence ofcooperation among organizations. The results of checks and reviews of
secretariat organizations regarding student support and social cooperation,
before being inspected by the Self-Study Committee, are in practice being
inspected by the Office Management and Planning Council, which is presided
over by the General Manager of the corporation. Thus, a body is involved withinternal quality assurance that is different than what is stated in the policy.
Moving on, the University should clarify the relationship between the Advisory
Council and the Self-Study Committee, FD Center, and Office Management andPlanning Council and make corrections to ensure that its internal quality
assurance led by the Advisory Council functions effectively throughout theUniversity.

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