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Strategic Concept of International Exchange
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Strategic Concept of International Exchange
Establishing Its Identity as a Global-Access University
Saitama University established its new Center for International Exchange (CIE) on July 1, 2006. The university transformed its International Student Center, which had been part of the Organization of Education and Student Support, into the CIE, an independent organization, and added to it the international exchange promotion functions of the Research Management Bureau (RMB). Of course, the international exchange and partnership activities of the university are pursued in the areas of both education and research. Saitama University had previously adopted a decentralized approach wherein education-oriented activities were handled by the International Student Center and research-oriented activities were handled by the RMB. However, to eliminate the inefficiency of having these inseparable activities handled by two different organizations, those functions were integrated into a single entity.
The establishment of the CIE demonstrates a more active commitment to further strengthening planning and proposal functions in the area of international exchanges and partnerships. As a peer organization of the Organization of Education and Student Support and the RMB, the CIE is responsible for planning, proposing, and implementing international exchanges and partnerships in both education and research.
Taking advantage of the launch of the CIE, Saitama University has developed a new Strategic Concept of International Exchange. Looking forward to its next medium-term goals and plans, Saitama University sought a new direction in the area of international exchanges and partnerships and summed it up as “Saitama University’s Strategic Concept of International Exchange—Establishing Its Identity as a Global-Access University.” Being a global-access university means being a university that has access to and can be accessed by other regions and institutions around the world. The contents of this concept are wide-ranging and include attracting high-caliber international students, promoting study abroad among Japanese students whose goals would be enhanced by such an experience, forming overseas activity centers, promoting and supporting joint international research, participating in and cooperating with community internationalization efforts, providing information to graduates, and promoting tie-ups with graduates. This concept establishes the direction the university should take in terms of international exchanges and partnerships and, at the same time, highlights the need to start with those steps that can be taken now. Action plans have already been formulated for some areas, and efforts to implement those plans have already begun. For example, the university is reviewing its international exchange agreements from this perspective and is beginning to redevelop its exchange agreement network.
As a university that is grounded in the local community but open to the world, Saitama University establishes policies regarding the following in its Strategic Concept of International Exchange: (1) student exchanges and education, (2) research, and (3) contributions to the internationalization of the local community. The university also establishes stipulations regarding systems for implementing programs that support the three areas above. The following is an outline of this strategic concept.
Saitama University’s Strategic Concept of International Exchange: Overview
Diverse, dynamic bilateral student exchanges: Achieve balanced, dynamic exchanges with partner schools and attract talented international students
1. Distinctive study abroad programs train students to succeed in international environments.
Rather than promoting exchanges with a single institution, Saitama University has a diverse study abroad program that includes exchanges with a consortium of participating schools and encourages Japanese students to study abroad. Specific policies used to do this include the following:
1.Establish an elite program that offers educational and research opportunities at partner universities to outstanding students
2.Establish a double-degree program that enables students to earn degrees at both a partner university and Saitama University
3.Establish intensive language training programs overseas to give many students opportunities to experience living overseas and improve their language skills
2. To attract talented international students, the following types of new international student policies are being developed:
1.To improve its first contact with incoming students, Saitama University is expanding its international Web site, making it easier for visitors to access information about the university. Also, the university is working to disseminate information in a timely manner.
2.To improve the environment for outgoing students, Saitama University provides rigorous job hunting support services. In addition, the university is building an alumni association to facilitate the maintenance of stronger relationships with graduates and is actively using that organization to develop new international student programs.
Promote and support financially independent and distinctive joint international research projects
1.Form close ties with overseas universities and strengthen international research partnerships focused on priority research themes
2.Actively apply for international exchange support programs offered by institutions and foundations in Japan and elsewhere and promote financially independent joint international research projects
3.Strengthen relationships with academic exchange partner universities where active research exchanges are happening and develop joint international research projects that are distinctive and unique
4.Strive to expand overseas research opportunities for young researchers and invite talented international researchers to Saitama University to help improve the quality of education and research conducted at that university
Contribute to the internationalization of the community
1.Promote joint research projects between unique local industries in Saitama Prefecture and Saitama University and highlight the broad appeal of Saitama University, Saitama Prefecture, and Saitama City to the world
2.Actively participate in Saitama Prefecture’s internationalization-focused education projects aimed at promoting multiculturalism, take part in citizen-organized international volunteer activities, and promote the internationalization of the community
3.Promote the internationalization of Japanese students by offering internships and other opportunities in partnership with Saitama Prefecture, Saitama City, and other semigovernmental organizations; support the job-hunting activities of international students in local businesses; and offer a pool of skilled human resources to the local community
4.To publicize the appeal of the cultural legacy of Saitama Prefecture and Saitama City to the rest of the world, put the university’s knowledge to use in working with the prefecture and city
Develop systems for implementing international exchange
1.Strategically select exchange partner universities to form a network of exchange partners suited to the goals of individual international students, such as research exchanges, student exchanges, and language training programs
2.Establish overseas activity centers for promoting international exchanges and partnerships in cooperation with such organizations as the Japanese University Consortium for Transnational-education (JUCTe)
3.Strive to participate in international consortia that are well suited to Saitama University and develop new consortia
4.To respond appropriately to unforeseen circumstances, estblish a crisis management system and develop a support network that can be activated in times of emergency
5.Actively cultivate human resources who will engage in international exchange and focus on using the university’s overseas training system especially to improve the capabilities of workers
6.Strive to build multilayered local networks at the governmental, corporate, and citizen level to become a university that is well grounded in the local community