Mixed response to autumn enrollment plan / National universities split over Todai proposal that would better fit overseas institutions' calendars

Fumihiko Ito and Shoko Asano / Yomiuri Shimbu Staff Writers

National universities are evenly split over an autumn enrollment system proposed by the University of Tokyo, with about half considering a similar change to their calendars but others skeptical whether it would fit Japanese society.

The survey was conducted after recent reports the University of Tokyo, also known as Todai, plans to shift the enrollment of its undergraduate students from spring to autumn. Among 36 institutions that have started or will start discussions on introducing autumn enrollment was Tsukuba University, which said the change will be crucial to securing excellent students and faculty members from overseas to improve the university's education and research capabilities.

"We believe it's necessary for us to change our systems to better fit global trends," it added.

Tsukuba is among 11 higher educational institutions that the University of Tokyo has asked to take part in a conference in April to promote autumn enrollment. The 11 universities were briefed about the proposal last month, according to sources.

According to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey, 36 national universities are interested in introducing autumn enrollment, with many saying it would help their efforts to become more "internationalized" by attracting more foreign students.

However, 30 said they are not considering changing their calendar, while seven were undecided.

At a press conference Friday, University of Tokyo President Junichi Hamada said he believed such work behind the scenes would help the proposal gain traction.

"The University of Tokyo has raised this issue, and I believe many universities share the basic stance of positively reviewing the enrollment period," he said confidently.

If the university goes ahead with the change, its first term would run from September to December and the second from February to May, according to an interim report released by the university last week.

This schedule would match those of major universities abroad, the report said.

Yale University of the United States has its first term from the end of August to December, with the second from January to April.

Many respondents to the survey that expressed interest in autumn enrollment--including some regional universities--said they hoped changing their calendars would help them become more internationalized.

Among regional universities, Miyazaki University said the measure tied in neatly with its efforts to be competitive in a global age.

"We'd like to have constructive discussions on this issue in terms of not only securing competent foreign students, but also encouraging Japanese students to study overseas," the university said in its written response.

Yamagata University predicts the advantages of making it easier to attract foreign students and encourage Japanese students to study abroad "might encourage one institution after another to shift their enrollment period from spring to autumn, like dominoes."

However, some universities that expressed interested in autumn enrollment were still not completely convinced about the potential merits of the change.

Gunma University, for example, said it might consider switching to autumn enrollment. However, it added: "We think national universities should stay in step on this issue. We would consider starting this system if Utsunomiya, Shinshu, Ibaraki and other universities in our neighboring prefectures go along with it."

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Medical, teachers colleges wary

Medical universities and teachers colleges are among educational institutions expressing caution about switching the start of the academic year to autumn.

"We need to discuss the issue carefully due to the timing of national exams for students in medicine and nursing courses," an official at Asahikawa Medical University said. The national exams are held in February.

An official at Miyagi University of Education said it would be virtually impossible to adopt the autumn enrollment system unless enrollments at kindergartens and primary, middle and high schools also shift over.

"Our students' on-the-job training programs are dependent up to a degree on such schools," the official said. "Problems will resonate throughout the university system unless changes are made in teachers employment exams and hiring practices."

Physical education colleges also were wary of such a change because of the timing of athletic meets.

If students enter the colleges in autumn, they will have insufficient time to prepare for athletic events held in spring.

The National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, said it would consider shifting to autumn enrollment, but a number of problems needed to be ironed out.

"We would have to study the situations at other colleges and discuss the matter with officials of sports events as we must take into consideration students' participation in athletic meets," said an official of the college, the only national four-year sports university in Japan.

Shiga University President Takamitsu Sawa reacted skeptically to the "internationalization" of universities.

"Even if the enrollment period is shifted to autumn, the number of foreign students coming [to Japan] to study will not increase," he said.

"In the first place, educational levels at Japanese universities are quite low," Sawa said. "Excellent students overseas will go to universities in the United States and England, as it takes time for them to master Japanese, which is a rather special language."

Financial problems are another factor.

An official at the University of Fukui said: "According to a survey we conducted, many students are not well off. If both enrollment and graduation periods are delayed by six months, their financial burdens will probably increase."

Ibaraki University President Yukio Ikeda is also cautious.

"The autumn enrollment system is for universities, not students. We shouldn't move students around merely to boost the pride of universities," he said.

Hirosaki University President Masahiko Endo said: "Autumn enrollment does not fit in with Japanese society, such as the fiscal year and enrollment periods at primary, middle and high schools. It's obvious that adopting autumn enrollment will cause confusion.

"This is an issue that involves both the government and universities. If the new system is adopted, the government should make appropriate changes to various aspects of society."