#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #Educational Reform #External Evaluation

Okayama University's External Evaluation Committee: A Step Towards Educational Excellence

On June 20, 2025, Okayama University, located in the heart of Okayama City and led by President Yoshitomo Nasu, convened its External Evaluation Committee in the grand conference room of the 50th Anniversary Memorial Hall at the Tsushima Campus. The gathering aimed to evaluate the progress of the educational objectives outlined in the 4th Mid-Term Goals and the Medium-Term Plan.

The committee's purpose was to review the achievements based on self-assessments and evidence from the previous academic year. Six external evaluation members provided their insights and advice while engaging in constructive discussions to facilitate the university's future progress.

Prior to the committee's official commencement, there was a networking session between the external evaluators and the newly appointed vice president, alongside a presentation video showcasing the university's educational reforms known as Target 2025. Following these activities, President Nasu opened the meeting with remarks emphasizing the university's commitment to enhancing education.

Subsequently, Senior Executive Director Masakazu Suga provided a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the Mid-Term Plan's objectives for the previous academic year. The discussion then transitioned into a detailed examination of key areas, including: 1) Graduate Education, 2) Learning Management Systems (LMS), 3) Student Admissions, 4) Undergraduate Programs under Target 2025, and 5) Educational Management. Active questioning and exchanges of ideas flourished among the evaluators and university representatives concerning each topic.

As the meeting drew to a close, Chairperson Setsuo Taniguchi, a distinguished professor emeritus at Kyushu University, summarized the discussions. He commended the university for its solid progress toward the Mid-Term Plan's educational objectives, particularly highlighting the significant educational reforms synchronized with the new curriculum guidelines anticipated to take effect in 2025.

Moreover, Taniguchi stressed the importance of the university’s educational management in supporting these initiatives and expressed expectations for the planning officials to remain vigilant and cohesive in their actions as they head toward the Ministry of Education’s midterm evaluations for the upcoming fiscal year.

The committee underscored the university's pioneering efforts in implementing external evaluations for educational management, a progressive step, among national universities, towards achieving the goals outlined in the 4th Mid-Term Plan. Continuous improvement remains a central theme in Okayama University's strategy, with the next External Evaluation Committee session scheduled for December 2025.

External Evaluators:

• - Setsuo Taniguchi (Chair, Professor Emeritus at Kyushu University)
• - Akihito Asano (Executive Director at Ritsumeikan University and Vice President at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University)
• - Kenji Yamauchi (Professor at Bukkyo University and Professor Emeritus at Kobe University)
• - Maki Sato (Associate Professor at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Education)
• - Hiroki Oura (Professor at Tokyo University of Science)
• - Shinji Tateishi (Assistant Professor at Tsukuba University)

Conclusion

Okayama University remains steadfast in its commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement. The university is also actively supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has received special recognition from the first Japan SDGs Award by the government. With its strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational quality and fostering innovation, Okayama University aspires to evolve into a leading research university with global influence. The future looks bright as Okayama University paves its path forward in academia and community engagement.