Action plan 2021–2022 Tokyo University of Foreign Studies will engage in the following initiatives toward realizing “Creating Positive Power from Diversity and Contributing to Intercultural Coexistence.”
1. To develop the University’s research
(1) Make the features and results of the University’s research activities visible, with “intercultural coexistence” as the keyword.
Provide intensive support for research projects regarding “intercultural coexistence.”
Link faculty research topics using “intercultural coexistence” as the keyword, and expand public information activities regarding research results.
Further strengthen Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Press, and return diverse research results of the University to society.
(2) Advance the internationalization of research.
Expand diverse joint research that the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa conducts internationally.
Strengthen distinctive regional research bases (in Africa, South Asia, etc.) and international cooperation in research (CAAS, etc.).
(3) Strengthen information transmission from the standpoint of the humanities and social sciences toward resolving social issues.
Build a research strategy promotion structure, and advance inter-university research cooperation and industry-academia collaboration that generate interdisciplinary research.
Support activities to disseminate the University’s knowledge regarding humanity and society toward resolving the anxiety and social problems caused by overemphasizing technology.
(4) Work towards enhancing research environments and support.
Build a research strategy promotion structure, and realize inter-university cooperation and inter-university research exchange that generate interdisciplinary research.
Strengthen support for obtaining research expenses (Grants in Aid for Scientific Research, external funds, etc.).
Support research primarily for young researchers.
Steadily administer the buyout system and other new systems.
2. To realize more replete undergraduate and graduate education and a rich student life
(1) Expand distinctive educational practice toward fostering human resources with problem-setting and solution abilities.
Expand “intercultural coexistence” education in both theory and practice.
Realize learning across Schools with “intercultural coexistence” cross-departmental educational programs, etc.
Enhance educational programs which make the contents that can be learned and the contents that can be mastered visible in Schools.
Upgrade English language education throughout the University.
Advance humanities and sciences cooperative-type education by enhancing science and mathematics courses.
Develop joint liberal arts curricula through domestic inter-university cooperation.
Promote activities toward spreading the use of tests of four English language skills in entrance examinations.
(2) “Make the world a campus”—Realize education in collaboration with global partner institutions.
Advance international joint education using online technologies.
Promote in-person study abroad overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.
Institutionalize online study abroad.
Promote joint study systems for international students and Japanese students.
Develop double degree programs with overseas universities (undergraduate and graduate).
Realize the acceptance of talented international students from diverse countries and regions through partnerships with overseas high schools and universities (undergraduate and graduate).
(3) Work to enhance graduate school education leading to careers.
Expand unified undergraduate/graduate educational programs by promoting course completion in advance and early completion of graduate school.
Design graduate school recurrent education programs that make it possible for working adults to obtain degrees and to return to school.
Enhance the practical implementation education for master’s program students through the career program and the Specially Area Certification Program etc.
Enhance internship programs based on agreements with international institutions, etc.
Support the career development and employment of master’s and doctoral program students through the Multi- and Inter-cultural Research and Innovation Fellowship (MIRAI).
Support research by doctoral program students through the activities of the Association of Global Studies (AGS) (the University internal academic conference).
Strengthen the system of guidance and support for the completion of doctoral theses within the period of the course of study.
(4) Work to transform into language education for the new era
Establish a TUFS Standard for language education: language proficiency determination system using CEFR-J, etc.
Examine and implement new education for the digital transformation era for the languages in which students major.
Rollout language education programs to outside the University employing online technologies.
Develop and utilize an online program for “Japanese used at universities.”
(5) Work to realize a replete student life while maintaining safety and security.
Implement a system for classes based on countermeasures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and student support considering the psychological, physical, and household finance effects of COVID-19.
Strengthen the comprehensive student counseling and support system with collaboration across the University by forming the Student Support Organization (tentative name).
Improve career education and career support, especially the system to support employment of graduate students and international students.
Enhance support for volunteer activities by TUFS students.
Promote the University’s own tuition exemption system.
Expand support for independent activities by students (TUFS University Festival, club and circle activities).
Enhance the study space and learning environment for students (Library, Research and Lecture Building, etc.)
3． To enhance collaboration with society and regions centered on the needs for intercultural coexistence
(1) Effectively and efficiently implement the University’s social collaboration projects through the Center for Intercultural Studies.
Implement support for non-Japanese schoolchildren living in Japan making use of the University’s features (preparation of multilingual educational materials, support for learning the Japanese language, and support for maintaining the mother tongue under partnerships with local governments, public institutions, international exchange associations, and enterprises), the training of support personnel, and support for making Japanese society multilingual.
Advance the formulation and systematization of foreign language education curricula, and employ this in Open Academy courses.
Disseminate information and analyses about various regions of the world (TUFS Cinema, TUFS Media Project, etc.).
(2) Strengthen the network with alumni to enhance cooperation between the University and society.
Build an independent system to identify the University’s alumni while collaborating with the TUFS Alumni Association.
Work to identify international students who studied at the University and returned to their home countries, and to build up the TUFS community.
Strengthen ties with alumni by conducting global community gatherings, homecoming day, etc.
Advance projects to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the University’s founding in 2023.
(3) Achieve more replete recurrent education to respond to the needs of society.
Design graduate school recurrent education programs that make it possible for working adults to obtain degrees and to return to school.
Realize recurrent education making use of the TUFS Open Academy.
Foster intercultural coexistence experts through completion certificate programs.
(4) Strengthen activities to gain support from society toward constructing an independent activities foundation.
Advance the establishment of funds for specific projects and the acceptance of in-kind donations, and promote the diversification of donations.
Prepare systems for for-profit businesses and the acquisition of external funds.
4. To achieve sound university management, improve work environments, and develop a safer and more beautiful campus
(1) Review the University’s governance structure based on appropriate inspections and analyses.
Prepare a university-wide IR structure.
Draft (FY2021) and initiate (FY2022) the 4th mid-term goals and plan.
Establish internal controls based on a governance code, and enhance the system for regular audits by the auditor.
Reinforce explanations to and dialogue with students, parents/guardians, alumni, and other stakeholders.
Further enhance the website and otherwise diversify and expand public information.
(2) Advance examinations toward a sound financial foundation, and strive to increase the self-funding ratio.
Strengthen reviews toward reducing expenses.
Advance the establishment of funds for specific projects and the acceptance of in-kind donations, and promote the diversification of donations.
Prepare systems for for-profit businesses and the acquisition of external funds.
Effectively utilize assets employing new ideas.
Advance responses to common indices for university evaluation and other management reforms, and certainly secure management expenses grants.
(3) Prepare a comfortable work environment
Strengthen support measures for childrearing and nursing with diverse workstyles and the establishment of day care centers.
Prepare a foreign faculty friendly environment.
Advance digital transformation throughout university administration, and decrease the burden on faculty by achieving improved efficiency.
Respond to “workstyle reforms.”
Respond to “human resources and payroll management reforms.”
Advance efforts to make the entire university paperless.
(4) Work to maintain a safe and beautiful campus
Renew facilities as appropriate, and beautify campus space.
Implement policies to prolong the working lives of university facilities and equipment.
Based on discussions with neighboring landowners, create a campus that is open and loved by local residents.
