Focus will be shifted from "studying English" as in secondary school to "studying in English." For this purpose, 1) students will be sent overseas for a long- or short-term stay to study in English subjects of their interest in various forms; 2) KU-COIL, the University's ICT-based system for remote international academic exchange, will be actively utilized; and 3) the KU-CLIL method will be used, in which English is used primarily for communication, with emphasis on enticing students to acquire knowledge and skills in their major subjects.
International students of diverse backgrounds will be accepted to make the ratio of international to all KU students one to six in 10 years (international students including those on exchange and short-term programs; about 5,000 students throughout the year, as compared to 3,500 as of May 1, 2015). Mixed classes in which Japanese and international students can learn together in English (or Japanese), to which cross-cultural exchange through long-distance classes via the KU-COIL will be added, thereby creating an "Immersion Space," an environment in which Japanese students can "study abroad" on campus.
A mechanism will be constructed in which students can participate in a variety of programs, including intercultural exchange on campus; internships for international cooperation, cultural and sporting activities; inter-university student exchange and credit-earning courses abroad; and degree programs abroad. Through this mechanism, students can climb up in accordance with their foreign language proficiency levels. Efforts will also be made to increase the number of partner universities for student exchange and other academic programs.
Students will be encouraged to participate in student exchange or training programs abroad without coercion and in accordance with their abilities so that in 10 years' time, about half the students will have some form of overseas experience as part of their student life. Students who may not be strong in foreign language will still experience simulated intercultural immersion in collaborative activities with local communities.
The University will secure host organizations in and outside Japan for internship programs by making use of the network of KU alumni so as to enable students to undergo training in professional settings. International students (formal full-time students) who wish to do so will also be given the opportunity for an internship in Japan.
An international track which features degree programs in English, Chinese or another foreign language will be established at the postgraduate level so as to facilitate international student enrollment. The international track will be open to Japanese students as well.
The establishment of master's programs in majors that are provided in English on KU's overseas satellite campuses will also be considered as part of the reform initiatives.
The number of major courses taught in a foreign language (English) will be increased on a yearly basis so that there will be 2,500 subjects in 30 courses by the academic year 2023.
An increasing number of non-Japanese students, especially those from ASEAN countries, wish to study in Japan (Osaka). To diversity KU's student body, understanding of and cooperation will be sought from the undergraduate faculties and graduate schools to realize diverse forms of admission procedures and entrance examinations.
Utilizing overseas satellite campuses, an environment will be created to facilitate many excellent students residing outside Japan to study in Japan by implementing or improving systems: English-track entrance examination for international students whose English language proficiency above a specified level is certified by an external standardized test score (such as TOEFL and TOEIC); designation of universities and upper secondary schools as test venues; and scholarships.
KU Overseas Programs will be positioned as steps for international students to obtain academic degrees at KU. A mechanism will be established in which academic credits they obtain in KU Overseas Programs prior to their arrival in Japan will be included in the total number of credits required for graduation (course completion) and in which the distribution of scholarships will be determined for pre-arrival admissions.
Full-range global education will be conducted to train students in advanced communication abilities through improved collaboration with Annex schools and making use of honors programs. An integrated educational program will be realized for the 18-year period from primary school to the master's program to develop global human resources.
In this program, in which Japanese and non-Japanese universities sign an agreement with regard to applicable educational curricula, credit transfer and other matters, participating students can obtain academic degrees from both the Japanese and overseas universities.
In this program, participating students can obtain a single academic degree jointly issued and signed by all the educational institutions concerned, upon the completion of an academic program in which they are required to study at two or more institutions of higher education.
Overseas satellite campuses will be developed by improving and expanding the existing KU overseas offices. The satellite campuses will serve as venues for a range of intercultural immersion programs, including KU Overseas Programs (educational programs in specialized domains in which KU is particularly strong), seminars, field work, and internships, for Japanese students.