Internationalisation of Higher Education in Japan: current government policy initiative and institutional responses

Since the 1980s Japanese higher education institutions have undergone a number of reforms in response to government internationalisation initiatives. At the moment, the “Top Global University Project (TGUP)” policy challenges universities to transform themselves in comprehensive and fundamental ways over a 10-year period. The government’s rationale for internationalisation has shifted from capacity building in other countries to improvement of its own higher education system. The expectation of current initiatives is that comprehensive internationalisation will enable universities to produce a workforce which is more efficient and able to contribute to the economic development of Japan. With a rapidly ageing population of 128 million, the decline of economic power in the global market is a major concern of the government and industry. This lecture will outline rationales, missions, and action plans of the current policy initiative and discuss institutional challenges and opportunities for further internationalisation.

This event is free but booking is essential. Places can be booked at: http://www.dajf.org.uk/events/booking-form.