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

Kyoto Pharmaceutical University

Basic Information of the Institution
Ownership: Private

Location: Kyoto, JapanAccreditation Status
Year of the Review: 2015
Accreditation Status: Accredited（Accreditation Period: April.01.2016 – March.31.2023）

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Certified Evaluation and Accreditation Resultsfor Kyoto Pharmaceutical University
Overview
Kyoto Pharmaceutical University was originally established as Kyoto Private German
School in 1884, which was later renamed Kyoto Private Pharmaceutical School, andthen Kyoto Pharmaceutical Professional School. In 1949, the school became auniversity, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University (hereafter, the University). Currently, it is auniversity with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Graduate School ofPharmaceutical Sciences. With its two campuses, the main and south campuses, locatedin Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, it has developed its educational and research activities
based on its founding spirit of “Philosophia et Praktikos.”After its accreditation review by Japan University Accreditation Association(JUAA) in 2008, the University has made its orientation clear: that it is building its
ability to educate a wide range of talented persons who can take an active part in thepharmaceutical field. In particular, it set forth the second mid-term plans in 2012 basedon its mid-term plans formulated in 2007.
The University has made efforts to support student learning by strengthening
cooperation among various academic and administrative units. Moreover, it has
undertaken initiatives to develop education in various ways involving the entire
university. For example, it has defined the concept of “Pharmacist-Scientist” as one who
has expertise and research ability as a scientist and who also is very compassionate inaddition to possessing specialized knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences. TheUniversity has also defined the “Global Vision of Kyoto Pharmaceutical University” inwhich it discusses its internationalization education plans that aim to cultivate
researchers who can be active across the world.
However, the University still has some issues to address. For example, it has
not defined its own purpose and the criteria for examining theses of degree-seeking
students. In addition, some students in the doctoral program of the Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences complete all the requirements except the dissertation, andleave the University before completing their dissertation requirement. Later, when thesestudents submit their dissertations, even though they do not have enrollment status, they
are granted “course-based doctoral degrees” in the same manner as those students whoearned the degree within the time limit. This procedure is stated in the regulations, but it
is not an appropriate use of the system. These issues should be improved.
Notable Strength
Educational Content, Methods, and Outcome

It is commendable that the University has made efforts to cultivate “PharmacistScientists” and researchers who can play active parts globally. In particular, underthe “Grobal Vision of Kyoto Pharmaceutical University,” both the Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences havemade efforts in multiple areas across the entire university. The faculty has held
graduate theses presentation meetings where all the students make presentations bycrafting and using posters in English. The Graduate School has offered uniqueinitiatives to internationalize education by holding a series of seminars in which
students are taught how to make presentations and write articles in English.

3Suggestions for Improvements
Mission and purpose

The Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences has defined its purpose in its
graduate school rules. However, the statement is worded with the exact samelanguage as the purpose of the graduate school as stipulated in the School
Education Law, except it adds the phrase “concerning the Pharmaceutical science.”
The Graduate School should improve this situation by defining its own purpose.

Educational Content, Methods, and OutcomesThe master’s program in the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences has notclearly indicated its criteria for examining theses of degree-seeking students. TheUniversity should improve this situation by clearly stating these criteria in student
handbooks such as “Graduate School Syllabi.”In the doctoral program of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, somestudents complete all the requirements except the dissertation, and leave theUniversity before completing their dissertation requirement within the time limit set
by the University. Later, when these students submit their dissertations, eventhough they do not have enrollment status, they are granted doctoral degrees in thesame manner as those students continuously enrolled. This is an inappropriate useof the system that should be corrected. In accordance with the purpose of having
doctoral program, the University should create measure to enhance the degreecompletion within the required time frame.