16–18 May 2025
Kanda University of International Studies (神田外語大学)
Asia/Tokyo timezone

From Vision to Implementation: National Objectives and Classroom Practices in Japan

17 May 2025, 17:30
25m
BLDG 8/1F-110 (Kanda University of International Studies (神田外語大学))

BLDG 8/1F-110

Kanda University of International Studies (神田外語大学)

30
Research-oriented Oral Face-to-face presentation Learner Development B8-110 Learner Development

Speaker

Cecilia Smith Fujishima (Shirayuri University)

KEYWORDS

Global Human Resources, internationalizing the curriculum, Japan, higher education

ABSTRACT

The globalization of higher education is a key priority in Japan, with national policies urging universities to develop “global jinzai” (global human resources) who can think independently, collaborate across cultures, and adapt to a rapidly changing global environment. However, the mechanisms for achieving these ambitious goals remain unclear. While studies of institutional practices and classroom case studies exist, little is known about how government policies translate into classroom practices across diverse institutional contexts.

This presentation reports on a quantitative analysis of syllabi from globalized programs at four Japanese universities, focusing on course content, learning objectives, and assessment methods. The findings reveal that the syllabi demonstrate an awareness of preparing students to operate effectively in international society. However, significant gaps remain, particularly in instances where the connection between government policy and classroom practice is less evident or inconsistently applied.

This study serves as a foundation for further research, emphasizing the need to refine curricula in Japanese universities to better align with global education goals, bridge the gap between policy and practice, and enhance educational outcomes.

TITLE From Vision to Implementation: National Objectives and Classroom Practices
RELEVANT SIG College and University Educators (CUE)
FORMAT Research-oriented Oral Face-to-face presentation (25 minutes, including Q&A)

Author

Cecilia Smith Fujishima (Shirayuri University)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.