The ideal model global human resources that Kyushu University, School of Agriculture, aspires to develop are defined as “persons who have acquired wide-ranging basic knowledge about next-generation agriculture (agrobiology) as well as knowledge and skills in their respective fields of specialization, who are capable of identifying and solving regional and global problems in the field of agriculture with a broad vision by utilizing general techniques (e.g. knowledge of multiple and different cultures, problem-solving ability, logical and creative way of thinking) and who are able to provide leadership on an international scale.” With the aim of developing human resources equipped with such quality, the program, which has the following characteristic features, will be implemented:
- In October 2010, the School of Agriculture, Department of Bioresource and Bioenvironment opened a special course intended for international students under the Global 30 Initiative wherein students can earn a degree by taking classes in English only. Since it held the first examination for admission to this course in FY2009, it has selected and admitted some ten international students every year. About 80% of all those admitted have English proficiency at TOEFL-iBT 80 or a higher level. The entire curriculum in this international course is provided in English. By enrolling Japanese students whose English proficiency is TOEFL-iBT 80 or an equivalent level in this course and having them take classes in English jointly with international students, the course will provide them with an environment for improving their English skills as a communication tool and an opportunity to understand different cultures.
- Japanese students whose English proficiency falls short of the required level will be required to participate in the Basic English Skills Enhancement Program and given the chance to try again for admission half a year later, in order to secure a sufficient number of Japanese students who are qualified to attend joint classes with international students.
- Japanese students who are admitted to joint classes with international students in the G30 International Course will be required to participate in the Advanced English Skills Enhancement Program and also take other programs to develop general skills required for global activities, such as debating, making presentations, and writing reports in English.
- Those Japanese students admitted to joint classes in this course will be required to participate in the Problem-based Learning Program in English, in order to acquire general techniques necessary for solving regional and global problems in the field of agriculture (this program will be implemented by partner universities for student exchange programs in Europe, the United States, and ASEAN countries).
- Among Japanese students admitted to joint classes in this course, those with superior English proficiency (TOEFL-iBT 100 or higher level) will be selected to participate in special programs, such as the Graduate Record Examination and the program for improving TOEFL scores, so that they will attain a higher level of education and will be qualified for a Fulbright Scholarship or other international scholarships and admitted to world-leading graduate schools in Europe and the United States after completing this course.
- Credit wxchange between the standard course and the international course by taking joint classes
- Establishment and enhancement ofthe joint course curriculum
- Implementation ofthe Basic/Advanced English Skills Enhancement Programs
- Implementation of the program for developing skills for global activities
- Implementation of the Program-based Learning Program
- Implementation of special programs for improving scores in GRE, TOEFL, etc.
- Building an educational system which combines Japanese students in the standard course and international students in the G30 International Course (a joint course curriculum in English);
- Designing a curriculum wherein students with a certain level of English proficiency can take classes both in English and Japanese, by providing them with many joint classes in English for which credits can be exchanged between the standard course and the international course; and
- Educating students to become capable of identifying practical problems in agriculture occurring not only in Japan and but also on a global scale, and of understanding in English hints and protocols for solving them.
While further promoting globalization of education through the implementation of this program, Kyushu University, School of Agriculture, will strive to educate students to (1) improve their English skills as a communication tool and (2) acquire the ability to think logically by taking debate-style classes for learning problem-solving science in English which target global-scale practical problems in agriculture, thereby playing a role in leading and spreading the quality-assured program within and outside the University.
- Design acurriculum system wherein students with a certain level of English proficiency can take classes both in English and Japanese
- Establish an educational system which combines Japanese students in the standard course and international students in the G30 International Course (a joint course curriculum in English)
- Upgrade the Basic English Skills Enhancement Program to increase the number of students who are qualified to attend joint classes
- Select overseas universities to which students will be sent to study on a short term and set the period of studying abroad (send at least eight students per year to study abroad for a period of three months to one year)
- Launch autumn admission of Japanese students in addition to spring admission
- Set up an English learning program at schools of science (program for learnig agrobiology in English)
- Develop a career path for going on to overseas graduate schools