Introduction

   Internationalization, Globalization etc. Today, we hear these words quite often. The world is connecting while changing. We can’t avoid to encounter with the unknown cultures and people in this era.

   When I studied abroad at The Tsinghua University in Beijing China. I recognized that I had never known what internationalization is. There were uncountable students from more than one hundred countries at that university. Then I wondered that how could make such an international university, and how can we make our IUK more international.

    Nowadays, globalization of university is one of the most popular topic for university officials to discuss. This argument has been started actively after 1970 that OECD (Organization for Economic Co–operation and Development) inspected Japanese education to improve.  At that time they reconsidered the education system which is created after the WWII.

  With the advance of economic and social globalization, the movement to acquire excellent teachers and students from overseas has been strengthened, and competition among international universities is pointed out. For overseas major universities, 30 to 40% of teachers have foreign nationality, and in many cases international students account for 20% to 30% of students.

  Then Why is internationalization of universities emphasizes?

 

・Universities grant degrees what is acceptable by international standards.

・Gathering outstanding students, teachers and researchers from inside and outside of the country to improve the education and research function of university is to respond to the intrinsic request of university where is for advanced research and education.

・What the people having various cultures and backgrounds learn together through a new intellectual discovery can be expected that not only improving knowledge and skills but also a large growth in personality.

・In the globalization of society and industry which is rapidly advancing, it is has been required that education and research functions of the university as one of the important elements that support the development of society to contribute to improve the global competitiveness of Japan.

・There are many internationally recognized excellent achievement of mainly science and engineering research in Japan. However, there are problems with acceptance of excellent educators and researchers from overseas and cooperation with foreign universities.  The excellent research capabilities are not connected to the international attractiveness of Japanese Universities.

  

   

 

2-2. Increasing number of Vietnamese Nepalese international students

  The Nepalese number of international students has become about 10 times in six years.

A factor that the number of international students of Vietnamese and Nepali is rapidly increasing is that many Japanese companies are entering Vietnam, and the presence of these Japanese companies seems to be one of the major factors attracting Vietnamese international students to Japan.  ICEF Monitor which is an international higher education marketing company reported that Japan is a major destination for international students from Vietnamese students. College graduates occupy about 25% to 30% of the workers in developed countries, but in Vietnam the proportion of university graduates is only 7%.

      

   In the survey of 2015, the unemployment rate of the bachelor 's degree and vocational

training qualified students was the highest. According to the data of the Vietnam Statistical Office, 225,000 bachelor's degree or master's degree holders are unemployed.

  About half of both Vietnamese and Nepalese international students are relatively small number of students enrolled in graduate schools and undergraduates, which is characterized by a high proportion of those studying at vocational schools and Japanese language educational institutions. Many Vietnamese and Nepalese international students go on to higher education after learning at Japanese language institution.

 

2-3.Policies and measures for globalization

①    Promotion of acceptance of international students

(1983~) “Plan to Accept 100,000 Foreign Students”

(2008) “Plan to Accept 300,000 Foreign Students”

(2011~) “Global 30”

 

②    Promotion of liquidity of government-led regional students

(2011 ~) "Universities' global expansion capacity strengthening project"

 

③ Necessity of developing global human resources

(2011) "Global human resource development promotion meeting"

(2012 ~) "Global Human Resource Development Promotion Project" ("Go Global Japan" (GGJ))

 

④   Further internationalization of universities and promotion of international exchange

(2013) "Educational revival implementation conference (third proposal)", "Japan revitalization strategy"

(2014 ~) "Super Global University Project"

(2014~) "Establishment of Study Abroad Support System (Global Human Resource Development Community)" “トビタテ! 留学JAPAN”

 

  "Plan to Accept 100,000 Foreign Students" set in 1983 was achieved in 2003. If it goes well, “Plan to Accept 300,000 Foreign Students” will be achieved in a few more years. The Japanese government is working to achieve this "Plan to Accept 300,000 Foreign Student" by 2020 when the Tokyo Olympic Games will be held. The government also aims to double the number of international students from Japan by 2020. 

4. The position of Japanese universities

4-1. The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings

  The times higher education is said that one of the most authoritative University Ranking. The ranking is based on the same criteria as THE World University Rankings, powered by Thomson Reuters. They judge world class universities across all of their core missions - teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

 According to this ranking, University of Tokyo had been keeping the first place in Asia from 2013 to 2015. Kyoto University had been ranked in Top 10 before, but the university was ranked 14th place in 2016.  

  The University of Tokyo was ranked first place in the quality of education in Asia, but the internationality of students and faculty were ranked 70th place, this factor greatly influenced the order of the ranking.

 

  THE (Times Higher Education) also announce World University Rankings. The University of Tokyo occupied the 23rd place, Kyoto University was 59th place in 2013. However, THE announced World University Ranking 2015-2016 the result was the University of Tokyo moved down to the 43rd place, Kyoto University also moved down to 88th place on the ranking.

  What happened to Japanese Universities? How does the world look Japanese higher education? I would like to examine these questions another chapter.

 

  The top was the National University of Singapore, and the second place was The Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and The Pecking University in China in 2016.

  Japanese universities which were ranked within the top 100 were 14 schools, 19 schools were used to rank in the top 100 the last year.

 

 

4-2. The Times Higher Education International Outlook Ranking

According to The Higher Education, Qatar University tops the list, which is based on the results of the “international outlook” indicator in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings Top 200 2015-2016, while the UK is the nation that does the best on this measure overall.     

   The international outlook indicator considers each institution’s proportion of international staff, a proportion of international students and proportion of research papers published with at least one co-author from another country.    

 

  Japanese Universities was not ranked within Top 200, The top University Qatar University has 9,583 students, Student-Staff Ratio*1 19 the percentage of International Students is 42%. The University of Hong Kong is the top of the international university in Asia, has 19,835 students. Student-Staff Ratio 17.6 The rate of international students is 38%, while a top University in Japan University of Tokyo has 26,199 Student-Staff Ratio 5.7 then has 10% International Students in their University, and the point of International Outlook is 30.3.

  

 *1 Student – Staff Ratio

 The average staffing levels at the University.

 

  There is two big reason why Japanese Universities are low in rank (not international), the problems are the less number of International Students and researchers. Japanese Universities made for Japanese students, there is no system to attract International Students, moreover most of the Universities don’t offer degree from taking only English classes, there isn’t cheap dormitory, and some Japanese have a prejudice against foreign people. It is not a good environment for international students to study.

 

  Not only UK and US but also Singapore and Hong Kong are English-speaking countries, such countries tend to have well-equipped study environment by using English.  Some distinguished Japanese researchers have studied in Japanese Universities so far, however, we must create a magnetic school to high school students and researchers from all over the world. Otherwise, Japanese University will be defeated in global competition. “

 

 The fundamental issue is No dealing with English, Japanese aren’t good at English especially speaking. Japanese English education problems of English education in elementary education.

  No environment by using English. Less International Students and Researchers because of an exclusive seminar, hindering the growth of graduate students.        

  And this is out of step with the times. Facilities and Systems of study and too distinctive education style, it is diluted to study for International Students.

 

4-3. The Times Higher Education International Japanese University Ranking

  This Ranking is based on International Outlook (percentage of international students, teachers and staff)

 10 national universities, 4 public universities and 36 private universities were ranked in the International Japanese University Ranking Top 50.

  There are not only famous universities such as APU, Sophia University and ICU which are known as an international university but also many not large and local universities in the ranking.

  A factor of that many private universities rank in the ranking is related to decreasing the number of Japanese students. To become an international university is a way to survive a grueling competition.

                                                                                           

What kind of effort do these top international Japanese universities make?

 

1^st place Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

  Half of the students and faculty members were composed of foreigners and opened in 2000 with the goal of gathering students from more than 50 countries / areas.
  As of November 2016, the ratio of foreign students is 50.3%, and 2,944 students from 90 countries / regions are enrolled. Meanwhile, the proportion of foreign teachers as of May 2016 is 50.6%, 87 from 24 countries and regions. Approximately 90% of undergraduate classes are offered in two languages, Japanese and English.
  In August 2016, the Faculty of International Management and the Graduate School of Management obtained certification of the international accreditation body AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) of the business school.

 

2^nd place Osaka University of Economics and Law
  International exchange that started with academic exchanges between researchers concluded sister schools, conducted overseas language training, mutual exchange of students, international collaborative student projects etc. It has become a multicultural campus of international students from Asian countries including China, Taiwan, South Korea and so on.          

  In order to encourage exchange with Japanese students, They are carrying out "Volunteer Language Course" teaching each other's mother tongue and a variety of intercultural exchange events.

3rd place Tokyo International University
  From the beginning of the opening in 1965, students are mutually dispatched in the form of 21 universities and sister schools, exchange agreement schools, etc. in 11 countries / areas including the US · Willamette University. The number of undergraduate students as of May 2016 is 6413, and the number of international students at undergraduate is 709 people.
  The E-Track Program for international students can take all lecture subjects in English and obtain a bachelor's degree in English only.

 

 4th place Reitaku University
  In 1959 It was opened only in the foreign language department, later expanded the Faculty of International Economics (now reorganized as Department of Economics). It has a collaboration agreement with 45 universities in 16 countries and regions. There are 352 international students in 2015, and the proportion of foreign students to current students is about 16%.
 They are working on everyday multicultural / multilingual environment such as communication space i-Lounge where native English teachers reside and global dormitory where Japanese students and international students live together.

 

5th place Sophia University
  It was adopted as a super global university creation support project (globalization driven type) and set various numerical targets. There are 266 partner universities in 51 countries in 2015. In 2015, there are 1923 international students, aiming to expand to 2,940 people, which is about 20% of the total number of students in 2023. In 2015, they began working on strengthening cooperation programs with overseas universities and introducing overseas study system to attend part of German language courses at German agreement schools, thereby increasing acceptance of international students from Germany.
  The number of foreign faculty members in 2013 is 254, with the goal of increasing to 312 people, which is 57% of the total number of faculty members in 2023.

 

6th Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
  They established the "International Student Exchange Program of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (ISEPTUFS)" for international exchange students from exchange partner schools to assist students acquire Japanese language skills and knowledge about Japan. More than 100 international students are studying this program every year.

 

7th place Fukuoka Women's University
  It became the University of the only International College of Arts and Sciences

in 2011 by changing the Faculty of Literature and human environment department.  As of May 2016, the number of undergraduate is 1030 students and 99 international students. The first year living in international dormitory with foreign students on a dormitory system.
  The program for short-term international students "WJC (The World of Japanese Contemporary Culture Program)" offers classes that explain contemporary Japanese culture such as pop culture in English throughout the year.

               

8^th place Yamanashi Gakuin University
  In 2015, they established the International Liberal Arts Faculty (entrance capacity: 80 people), the faculty's foreign teacher ratio is about 80%, and most of classes are offered in English. The first year is a full-board system, and living together with international students. Students are compulsory to study abroad for one year in the second or third year.
  187 people, who are 5.4% of the total number of students, are international students and 24 people, 16.7% of the total number of faculty members are foreigners

 

9th International Christian University
  Approximately one in 10 students are international students, and over 50 nationalities. About 20% of all students including foreign students, about 600 people live in dormitories on campus.
  One in three of full-time faculty is a foreign nationality, and the nationality ranges about 20 countries. A Teacher from Bulgaria teach "Genji Monogatari" and Hungarian teacher teach Japanese history

 

10th place Hokuriku University
  The number of undergraduate students as of May 2016 is 1941, and the number of undergraduate international students is 401 people. A Chinese degree student who studied at a partner school in China for 2 years has transferred to Hokuriku University for 3rd year to acquire both degrees and a double degree system was implemented from 2002 and about 160 people per grade studied under this system.
  At the International Communication College, which was newly established in 2017, it acquires the ability to operate English and Chinese. English Teaching with Japanese teachers and teachers holding TESOL (qualification of English teaching method for those who do not speak English as their mother tongue) Chinese teaching by Japanese teachers and Chinese teachers and by dialogue with Chinese students SA.

 

 

  These universities take their own measures to accept foreign students and emphasize the diversity of teachers. It is easy to imagine that Japanese students' linguistic abilities and cross - cultural understanding are improved, and interest and motivation for overseas experiences increases under such a global environment. These rank-in universities seem to give us a lot of hints to universities that will make full-scale response to globalization.

 

  The "World University Ranking Japan Edition" with an emphasis on educational power is expected to be used for selecting high school universities in Japan and for students wishing to study in Japan to select universities. It is said that 7 to 80% of foreigners studying in Japan have gone through.

 

  Katsumi Shiraishi, secretary general of the Asian Student Cultural Association, which develops exchange programs between young people in Japan and Asia and also operates a Japanese language school, talks about this ranking and choosing university to study abroad in Between Information Site.

 

  “It is said that the criterion for choosing a university is only a deviation value is a troubling situation for applicants wishing to study abroad than Japanese high school students. Because it is difficult to access detailed information in Japanese such as various media and the website of university.

  Under such circumstances, finally new indicators like 'The World University Ranking Japan Version' came out. In Asia including overseas, people in general do not know the names of Japanese universities surprisingly. Even if we asked "How can I choose the destination to study abroad", the information which can be accessed is overwhelmingly lacking, I was only able to show the deviation value table that "Japanese high school students are referring to such things". Even if they graduate from a university with a high deviation value, people around them do not know neither the value of the university name nor the status in Japan, so it will not be helpful for them to choose a university.

  I think that "THE World University Ranking Japan Edition" will be an indicator to change this situation. In choosing a university, you can find out what kind of viewpoints other than the deviation value, and you can meet universities with strengths in each viewpoint.

 It is interesting that universities different from traditional rankings are lined up. "THE world university ranking Japan version" will penetrate the Japanese society and the world, and it will be used for choosing the destination to study abroad. “ (Between)

 

  These universities have high ration of foreign students and teachers. It is not easy for general universities to have such high ratio, it is important for IUK to accept students from out of Kagoshima and Japan under the situation that is falling below quota.

  To make IUK more attractive university, we should extend individual charms such as international education and international exchange. I think it is the responsibility to call it International University.

  

Chapter 2.  The current state of International University of Kagoshima

 

  The Times Higher Education International Japanese University Ranking is used foreign student ratio and foreign teacher ratio as indicators of international outlook. In the Japanese universities that were evaluated as an international university, various international education and international exchange activities are carried out. Then how about our university IUK?

 

1.  The number of international students in IUK

  At first, verify the number and type of international students in IUK. According to the latest information published by IUK, as of 2016 May 1st, the number of international students in IUK is 46 in undergraduate and 34 in graduate school.

 

  Although here are about 30 international students in graduate school, the number of foreign students who are undergraduate is decreasing year by year. Compared to each faculty, there are few international students studying at the Department of Social Welfare both in graduate school and undergraduate course.

  In undergraduate courses, many international students belong to the Faculty of International Studies.

  As of May 1^st, 2016, there are 88 students in the graduate school, 34 of them are international students. That is about 38% of graduate students is international students. On the other hand, there are 46 international students in undergraduates, that is approximately 1.7% of the whole undergraduates in IUK. Most of the students studying abroad at IUK as regular students are Chinese.

 

  According to a staff of IUK official, the final goal of the ratio of international students is 5%. However, there is not specific strategy or goals year yet. As of May 1, 2016, IUK has 2638 students, it is approximately 130 international students will be in IUK if they achieved them goal.

  There were seven students in 2014, six students in 2015 and five students in 2016 as exchange students. These exchange students could be very important for connecting to exchange students of the following year.

 

  Currently, both regular students and exchange students are composed of Asian students. Some people consider internationality and diversity are different things, but as diversity is emphasized in many countries now, I think that internationalization and diversity can’t be separated from each other.

  Until a couple of years ago, students from the Western region also came to IUK as exchange students, but now it has become none. In order to change this situation, I think exchange students sent out from IUK need to play a big role. Through exchanges, if local students are interested in Kagoshima or IUK by the students from IUK, it will be a true exchange study.

  Currently six students from IUK are studying abroad in China, Taiwan, Canada or Korea.

 

2. International Partners

  IUK has agreements with 11 universities and an institute in 7 regions of the world.

In addition, IUK implements overseas language training programs and internship program.

 

・East China Normal University (China)

・Pei Chai University (Korea)

・Dalian University of Foreign Languages (China)

・University of Central Lancashire ( United Kingdom)

・Clark University (the United States)

・Florida International University (the United States)

・University of Prince Edward Island (Canada)

・Georgian College (Canada)

・National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences ( Taiwan)

・National Taiwan Normal University (Taiwan)

・Taipei City University of Science and Technology (Taiwan)

・Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University (Vietnam)

 

  The Taipei City University of Science and Technology introduces companies at the time of the overseas internship.

 

 

2-1. Efforts to accept (send out) more international students

 This year the first open campus of IUK was held at Japanese-language school in Taiwan, about 10 people attended. They also conduct local entrance examinations at Dalian University of Foreign Languages in China and interview tests using skype.

  IUK established an international exchange hall, exemption for foreign students, student tutor system to encourage international exchange students and Japanese students to interact. A university official said, "Enhancement of school life leads to IUK's appeal." In addition, they also provide employment support for international students.

 

 In order to send students abroad, they have expanded options other than exchange studies, such as mediation for studying abroad at Tsinghua University in cooperation with the Kagoshima government, and overseas internship. And this year, they started an English course for students who wish to study abroad. I highly agree with the setting up of this English course because I think that their motivation for studying abroad will be improved by students having the same goals learning together.

 

3. Voice of IUK Students

Q1. Do you want to study abroad again?

   The students who have experience of studying abroad answered “Yes”. They answered “America” or “Canada” where the place they already went to as an exchange student to the question “where do you want to study abroad next?”

   On the other hand, some of the students who had never studied abroad answered that “there is a reason not to be able to study abroad.” The most common reasons for this were economic issues, there was other reason such as opposite of parents.

 

Q2. Where do you want to study abroad?

  The most common answer was the United States, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, France and Germany. “Interested in that country” was the most common reason, then many students answered that they want to learn language and grow themselves.

 

Q3. When is the most suitable period for studying abroad?

  The all students who I asked this question, think that they should start to study abroad in the second grade, and they think half year or a year is the most suitable period. Most of the students said that they consider to hunt jobs after studying abroad, that’s why they think that the second grade is the best time to get started to study abroad, beside that they concern about the credit.

 

Q4. Have you ever visited International Exchange Support Office?

  Many students answered “Yes”, some students who answered “No” said that “It is not easy to enter the office.

 

Q5. Other voices from students

・”I want to know more about the exchange partner schools.”

・”If there are opportunities to exchange more with students coming from the agreement schools, there will be more students interested in studying abroad.”

・”What I am most concerned about is costs. I want to know how much is needed to study abroad and how did the students secure funds. And if I know how to obtain a scholarship, my anxiety will be resolved.”

・”It would be nice if there was a corner to introduce different cultures of overseas and an atmosphere that anyone could participate in international exchange.”

・”Recently there are many news reports with a negative image against overseas, if there is

e-mail magazine or brochures that deliver a wide range of overseas information, I think that more students would be interested in abroad and studying abroad.”

・” Setting up more opportunities to listen to stories of those who have studied abroad. There are students who don’t know there is a debriefing session by the students who studied abroad.”

・” I think that the procedure of study abroad should be a little more smooth.”

・“I think that the school can hire students who has studied abroad as a counselor, and make a student studying abroad counseling room. (It is difficult for only two staff of International Exchange Support Office to take care of every students who want to go to abroad.)

・”I want to the school increase the number of students who can study abroad as exchange student.”

・” Appeal the existence of the International Exchange Support Office more”

・”Using SNS to disseminate international exchange events and study abroad information.

・” I hope to have an environment where students can easily read the report of studying abroad.”

・I hope IUK to hold events that many international students gather and students who are worried about studying abroad can feel free to consult.

 

  Many students want to know more about the information on the destination of study abroad. Because there are not less students giving up studying abroad due to financing problems or other issue, it would be a good to have opportunities for the students to feel free consultation of their international career. I think that it is necessary to advance the dissemination of programs that don’t require repayment of scholarships, such as トビタテ！留学JAPAN or others.

     

Chapter 3. Future internationalization of International University of Kagoshima

 

1. A university official interview

  April 2000 Kagoshima Economic University changed the name of the university to International University of Kagoshima. The major goal of the university is the fusion of East and West culture and the contribution to the region. “IUK aims to internationalize human resources rather than internationalizing the university.” the official said.

  The type of international student has been also changing, the modern young people have world standards, we can’t describe each student by nationality anymore. He also said that “Information sent by the international students spreads very quickly and the students believe the information which is neither good or bad.” In particular, many students choose IUK by listening to their senior's reputation. In other word, if foreign students currently in IUK can spend meaningful time, many students in abroad may also be interested in IUK.

  What most international students expect the most is exchange with local students. There aren’t many international students in IUK, but I think that 90% of students are local students it can be an attractive point for foreign students.

  He told me that “expanding the scale of international exchange is a IUK’s future challenge”

certainly, the students who participate in the international exchange events are organized by the university are mainly students of the faculty of intercultural studies, ESS club or ICE.

  Increasing the number of students interested in cross-cultures may be one step to cultivate human resources with an international perspective.

 

2. In order to cultivate global talent

  Global talent is that who can think things independently, communicate his ideas to colleagues, business partners, customers etc. with diverse backgrounds in a way that's easy to understand. overcome the differences in values and characteristics derived from the cultural and historical backgrounds, understand each other from the standpoint of the other side. Furthermore, draw out and utilize each strength from differences, create a synergistic effect and new value. （Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Global Human Resources Development Committee 2010）

 

  Fortunately, I have participated in homestay in the US, study abroad, and internship so far and gained a better understanding of different cultures. February in 2017, I participated in internship in Singapore, visited National University of Singapore (NUS) which is the No.1 university in Asia according to THE.

  I met some staff of the International Relation Office, a director of the office told me that “What is most important thing is that the top of a university firmly grasps the current situation and goals and manages it.” Moreover, a former president of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Monte Cassim said that “The most important thing for realizing internationalization of universities is 教職協働 which means to share the goals among the faculty members, to cooperate with each other while performing discussions on an equal basis.” He also designated that the vertical division of faculties, fixation of the work of teachers and staff, and disconnection of both were problems of Japanese universities. What is crucial that all teachers and staff of the university remain united.

 

  “The language barrier is the biggest barrier to internationalization” he said, I once studied abroad in China, the more I had learnt Chinese language, the more I had able to understand Chinese culture. From this experience the findings, language and culture are not equal but, they are very closely related.  Therefore, he emphasized the importance of English. In internationalizing society, to acquire English that is most spoken language in the world is essential to have an international perspective.

  IUK also needs to raise students' basic English skills, it is necessary to promote active learning such as group work and presentation etc. not just classes focusing on grammar such as only translate sentences.  It is important to acquire English that you can speak with confidence. Even at elementary and junior high schools in Japan, English education and active learning are regarded as important, it is inevitable that university education will also change.

 

  He emphasized how important to build relationship with other institutes such as foreign universities. By connecting to more universities, the education be widen.

 

  I also interviewed a student of NUS, she had co-existed with people with different cultures since her childhood, she said that she had little resistance to different cultures. Student dormitory at NUS can be used by both of international students and local students, because the rent is high, many students share the room. By living together with students have different culture, they can develop understanding of different cultures.

 

  Interacting with people with diverse backgrounds will broaden the values of the students. Experience spent overseas can be said to be a great opportunity to cultivate global talent.

 

3. My ideas for heighten students’ global awareness

  It is necessary to raise the ratio of foreign teachers and students to develop students’ global talent. By incorporating internationalism and diversity into the university, students will widen their values of cross-cultures.

 

  As I mentioned in Chapter 2, there are many students who want to know more about studying abroad, they are particularly concerned about financial aspects and credits.  

  Therefore, I’d like to suggest that International Student Association that is organized by students who experienced studying abroad and IUK international students in IUK. They support the students who consider studying abroad and play role of disseminating the information of study abroad in cooperate with the International Exchange Support Office.

  For example, holding overseas fairs in the new semester and at the cultural festival etc. it is possible to create opportunities to transmit information to students who were not interested in international exchange and study abroad before.

  International Events would be useful to introduce cultures of international students in IUK.  They have sold their cultural dishes at the cultural festival so far, however other exchange events are limited to interaction with some students. For example, international students hold events such as introducing their traditional food or cultures at places where all the students can participate (ex. square in front of cafeteria). It is important to make opportunities for international students to meet more diver local students.

 

  I also suggest to establish global course that is credited in classes taught in English. Many innovation will be necessary to realize this idea. Students are required to have a certain level of English skill at the time of enrollment. At first improve their English skill in the first year, students are obliged to study abroad as exchange students. IUK can provide advanced classes such as local creative studies as a 地(知)の拠点 by taking advantage of the strengths of “Program of Developing Human Resource who is required by local area” and Internationality. 

 

Conclusion

 

  Chapter 1 I mentioned how Japan's universities are positioned in the world. To the Japanese big year of 2020, the government is actively accepting foreigners, as compared with before.

It became clear that the composition ratio of international students in Japan has increased with the times. Especially, international students from Vietnam and Nepal are rapidly increasing due to scarcity of employment, advancement of Japanese companies in to Vietnam and tuition for Japanese universities is relatively cheap etc.

  The Japanese government has made various plans to promote internationalization of university. The government set an object that accepting more than 300,000 international students and doubling the number of Japanese students who study abroad by 2020.

 

  In the Asia university ranking of the times higher education (THE), Tokyo University which used be top ranked down to 7^th place in 2016. It is said that this is due to the fact that THE emphasized the subject of internationality further. In the ranking comparing university internationalities that is established by THE, Japanese universities have not ranked within top 200. It could be said that Japanese universities are behind in internationality.

  It is one of reasons why there are not many foreign students and foreign faculty members in Japan that teaching in English and living environment for foreigners are not well prepared.

 

  However, there are many universities that are promoting internationalization in Japan. Although AUP is in Oita prefecture, it can be seen that foreign students gather if there is attraction of the university even if it is not urban. Many of these universities have enriched classes in English, and exchange with partner universities is actively conducted.

                                                 

  In Chapter 2, I mentioned about the current situation of IUK. Currently, 38% of the students at IUK graduate school are international students, which is a very high ratio. However, the ratio of international student of undergraduates is 1.7%, it is lower than the average of Japanese universities.

  IUK has exchange partners with exchange partner universities, but overall it seems that interaction among teachers is not very active. They seem to be conducting appeal activities in neighboring countries, such as holding an open campus in China and Taiwan, but from now on, it is challenge how to appeal IUK to other Asian countries and wider areas.

  In addition to studying abroad, IUK also conducts overseas training and overseas internships that students can make international exchange suitable for themselves, it is also necessary to appeal them to more students.

 

  Many students said that they wanted to know more about the information of the studying abroad. Most of students were concerned that studying abroad might affect job hunting or timing of graduation.

  Some students are giving up on going abroad due to various reasons. It is important to make opportunities for such students to feel free to consult.

 

Chapter 3, I stated about the future of internationalization of IUK based on the interviews a IUK and NUS official.

  IUK officials said that "IUK emphasizes broadening the international view of students rather than internationalization of universities.” I think that all IUK students should be conscious of the connection with the world and be able to think things from a multilateral perspective, because the name of the university has changed to the International University of Kagoshima, I would like the university that will lead the internationalization of Kagoshima. For the reason, it is natural flow that the university become internationalized.

 

  It is needless to say, the National University of Singapore, which was rated as the best university in Asia by THE, is an international university. The most impressive thing was that there were diverse students gathering from all over the world, they were not conscious of nationality and race.

  A director of International Relation office of NUS told me three important points for internationalization of the university.

・The top of the university leads the university to unite, it is necessary for teachers and university officials to work toward their goals while sharing information.

・Importance of English education.

・The importance of broadening the network and building relationships.

 

  Although IUK has a goal to raise the ratio of international students to 3%, there is not specific plans to realize it.

  I think that by setting up the International Student Association and holding international exchange events in a more open environment, we can increase the opportunities for more students to be interested in different cultures.

  In the long term, I think that it would be good to establish a course specializing in nurturing global human resources who can contribute to the region.

  It can further realize "the fusion of East and West culture and contribution to local community" of the IUK spirit of construction.

 

  As an international university of Kagoshima, I hope that it will be a university that is more international and chosen by many students.