6 | The Times | Monday, November 30, 2020

Japan Ryugaku Awards special (Sponsored content) Schools lauded for COVID-19 response, support The number of international students At that time, many students at Japanese ties and Japanese language schools, as well ments, received Japan’s education. pass level N2 of the JLPT before enter- enrolled in Japanese universities and voca- language schools returned to their home as affiliated business representatives. the east grand prize, while the west grand The pandemic has severely disrupted ing a program conducted in Japanese. But tional schools is on the rise. In May 2019, countries. Since then, Japanese language This year, 176 Japanese language schools prize went to the University of Market- Japanese-language schools, which play some educators observe that students this number stood at 312,214, up from schools have selected award recipients submitted 469 votes to select 50 institu- ing and Distribution Sciences. In the cat- an important role in preparing students who have passed this exam may still have 164,000 in 2011, and the number of students based on numerous criteria. Providing tions across five categories: vocational egory for private science departments, to enroll in vocational schools and uni- trouble understanding their instructors who chose to work in Japan after graduat- easy-to-understand materials, establishing schools, private liberal arts departments, University of Science received the versities. According to surveys conducted and classmates. Japanese language schools ing has more than doubled since 2013. separate tracks for international students, private science departments, public east grand prize and , by Japanese language schools, approxi- generally teach their curriculum over two Supporting this influx of international simplifying application procedures and universities and graduate schools. Ten the west grand prize. Yokohama Univer- mately 35,000 students could not enter years. Still, students from different regions students and bolstering initiatives to make developing support systems to help stu- institutions separated into “west Japan” sity received the east grand prize in the the country to participate in courses that sometimes find themselves at entirely dif- their lives easier is a network of universi- dents find jobs in Japan are among the fac- and “east Japan” divisions were awarded category and Kobe commenced in April and July. The Japan ferent levels by the end of the curriculum. ties, vocational and language schools. tors considered. within each category. A grand prize was University, the west grand prize. Lastly, in Student Services Organization suggests Students from China and Korea typically On Sept. 26, the Association for the Pro- By establishing criteria to assess institu- awarded to one institution in each divi- the graduate school category, Yokohama this figure is nearly half the number of stu- demonstrate a greater success rate due to motion of Japanese Language Education tions’ accommodations for international sion. Award-winning schools were recog- National University received the east dents enrolled in all language schools as of their prior knowledge of kanji. hosted its annual Japan Ryugaku (study students, the association hopes to provide nized for their support for international grand prize and , May 2019 — 83,811. These factors, compounded by the abroad) Awards to recognize the educa- a framework that schools and universi- students, educational content, excellence the west grand prize. Although the government eased travel dramatic decrease of inbound students tional institutions that went above and ties can use to improve their learning in their screening system and readiness to In addition to acknowledging the restrictions for international students from and the JLPT’s cancellation, which many beyond in their initiatives. environments. accept international students among other achievements of vocational schools and October, it remains to be seen how immi- vocational schools and universities use The Association for the Promotion of This year marked the ninth Japan points. universities, the Japan Ryugaku Awards gration procedures will affect enrollment. to evaluate prospective students’ lan- Japanese Language Education launched Ryugaku Awards ceremony, which was Tokyo International Business College present an opportunity to address issues Furthermore, the economic fallout of the guage abilities, have forced institutions the Japan Ryugaku Awards in 2012 to held online out of consideration for social received the east grand prize in the voca- concerning international students. One pandemic may force prospective students to adjust their admissions procedures. In boost the number of international stu- distancing guidelines related to the coro- tional school category and Ehle College, aspect touched upon at this year’s cer- to cancel their plans to study in Japan. place of examination certifications, some dents in the wake of the Great East Japan navirus pandemic. The ceremony was the corresponding west grand prize. In the emony was the coronavirus pandemic’s Language schools are a major part of the institutions are referring to students’ per- Earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. attended by faculty and staff of universi- category for private liberal arts depart- effects on the internationalization of educational ecosystem for international formance at their respective language students. School staff are intimately aware schools and conducting online assessment of enrollment procedures for universities interviews. and vocational schools and guide stu- The effects of the pandemic highlight Hall of Fame dents through the application submission the need for a healthy support system to (Schools that have won grand prizes for five consecutive years) process, making them uniquely qualified help students navigate uncertain waters, • (graduate school category; inducted in 2017) to select recipients of the Japan Ryugaku giving special meaning to this year’s 2020 Ryugaku Award winners • Fukui University of Technology (inducted in 2018) Awards. Therefore, the pandemic’s impact awards ceremony. During the latter half of • Ashikaga University (inducted in 2018) on language schools will, have far-reaching the ceremony, representatives from uni- effects on the internationalization of edu- versities and vocational schools awarded bunkei (humanities, social studies, literature, etc.) category cation in Japan. grand prizes discussed how they are sup- • Grand prize winners porting students amid the pandemic. East Another area of concern is the pan- demic’s effect on student motivation. The The universities and vocational schools Senmon gakko (vocational schools) category Seigakuin University Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) shared details about their holistic support East and the Examination for Japanese Univer- for current and prospective students. In Tokyo International Business College sity Admission for International Students addition to online courses, some institu- West Waseda University (EJU) were both scheduled to occur in tions are offering hybrid classes and on- Ehle Institute College West demand courses. They are also making Kwansei Gakuin University June, but were canceled. Many students are worried they will not be able to suffi- sure every student receives the attention Private university bunkei (humanities, social studies, literature, etc.) category University of Economics ciently improve their language abilities to they need by ensuring they have access to East enroll in a university or vocational school. one-on-one consultations with instructors Takushoku University Ritsumeikan University Generally, prospective students must and advisers. West University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences Private university rikei (science, math, engineering, etc.) category East Private university rikei (science, math, engineering, etc.) category Shibaura Institute of Technology East Tokyo University of Science Tokyo Denki University West Waseda University Kindai University West Sangyo University Public university category Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology East Yokohama National University Ritsumeikan University West Public university category East Graduate school category East University of Yokohama National University’s graduate school Tokyo University West Tokyo Metropolitan University Ritsumeikan University’s graduate school West • Award winners University University Senmon gakko (vocational schools) category East Graduate school category Chuo Computer & Comunication College East Nippon Omotenashi College ’s graduate school Nihon Kogakuin College Tsukuba University’s graduate school Japan Electronics College Tokyo University’s graduate school West Tokyo Metropolitan University’s graduate school ECC Kokusai College of Foreign Languages West Syusei Technical College ’s graduate school Tsuji Culinary Institute ’s graduate school Tokyo International Business College Kobe Campus ’s graduate school Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

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(Sponsored content) Japan Ryugaku Awards special

Nihon Kogakuin College Aoyama Gakuin University Kindai University The following 11 schools Ideal education in ideal environment For all people and for society Learning for the real world We have worked to provide special- AGU provides support for interna- Kindai University is one of the larg- received this year’s Japan ized yet comprehensive education, tional students such as the advisor/ est universities in western Japan. striving to develop talented graduates tutor system giving each fresh- Our founding principles are “learn- Ryugaku Awards, recog- with practical skills. Founded in 1947, man academic and everyday life ing for the real world” and “nur- our school has produced creative support. Several scholarships are turing intellectual and emotional nizing their excellence in individuals under the motto, “ideal available. The Career Planning and intelligence.” We have nearly 500 education in an ideal environment.” Placement Center has specific staff international students from 18 We provide an optimum environ- Vice President for international students to sup- Vice President/Director of countries this academic year. Kindai Vice president Hisashi Fujihara Kazuaki Tohyama supporting international ment for imbuing individuals with port job-seeking. Students can also International Center has been highly evaluated globally, ranked between 801 and Tatsuya Uchida not just knowledge, but also creativity. Foreign nationals are act as chat leaders in the Chat Room, 1,000 in the Times Higher Education World University Rank- students. expected to play an important role in Japan. We aim to ensure communicating in foreign languages about various topics with ings 2021. We strive to promote active globalization and expand they feel secure studying with their Japanese counterparts. students of Aoyama Gakuin from elementary to university. enrollment of international students.

Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) Takushoku University Tokai University Tokyo Denki University Go abroad and see the world Nurturing well-rounded people Think Ahead, Act for Humanity Giving to society via technology The faculty and staff will make Takushoku University, which Tokai University, enrolling 1,247 To contribute to society through every effort to make your marks its 120th anniversary this international students from 47 technology, individuals must not days at SIT prosperous and year, has ample experience in countries as of May 1, provides only acquire specialist knowledge, successful. teaching Japanese to many inter- various support for international but also have strong language skills, At the same time, we hope national students. This past April, students, including advice on be able to process their thoughts you will spend your time we launched the Department of academics and career, health con- and be articulate. Tokyo Denki Uni- being eager and enthusiastic. Global Japanese Language in the sultation, tutoring system and versity offers international students Director of International Center Do not underestimate your Faculty of Foreign Languages. Our President Akio Kawana scholarship. It also promotes inter- Executive Director of a regular curriculum to acquire Makoto Shishido own potential. You may be President Masato Murakami focus is not just on teaching Japanese and specialized knowl- national exchanges in academics, International Education Center “academic Japanese” to help them gain knowledge and conduct Yoshio Yamamoto surprised how much you can edge, but also on providing career education, including busi- culture and sports. We aim to earn scientific and technological research. Rich extracurricular activities do when you really try. Don’t listen to discouraging advice and ness Japanese. This academic year, we will introduce a new the reputation as an excellent international university and con- encourage students to interact with diverse people and help them don’t give up easily. Keep your goal high. entrance examination system for international students. tinue to educate our students to be globally skilled individuals. become engineers who can work collaboratively with others.

Tokyo Metropolitan University Tokyo University of Science Yokohama National University University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences Pursue an ideal state of humanity Studies that lead to employment Be active, innovative, open, global We train students for business TMU, as the only public univer- Since its founding in 1881, the Yokohama National University, We offer many study programs sity of the Tokyo Metropolis, Tokyo University of Science has where international students closely connected to the business offers quality education based stuck to a policy of providing account for 10% of its entire world to prepare you as a business on research prowess with rich competency-first education in 10,000-student enrollment, offers a professional. First-year students are academic resources in Tokyo. which only students who have variety of services for non-Japanese assigned to classes with faculty mem- We have seven faculties and acquired true competency can students. These include scholarships bers in charge. Also, there is a special- seven graduate schools that pro- graduate — a major feature of the arranged by Yokohama National ized support section for international vide international students with Vice President/Executive Director university. To support interna- Vice President Masato , four dormitories mainly President Yuichi Hasebe students to receive advice on study, President Keigo Fujii of the International Center an ideal study environment. Masao Ayabe tional students, we provide freshman-specific guidance, assign for international students, support for job hunting at Japanese life in Japan, and employment. Almost all international students Almost all international stu- a senior student as adviser to each international student, help companies, consultation on daily life, studies and job hunting in receive scholarships and reduced tuition rates upon enrollment. dents are granted tuition waivers and scholarships. students maintain their residency in Japan and operate an inter- collaboration with various organizations and student groups, as Many scholarships and tuition remission programs are available We look forward to welcoming you! national student dormitory. well as support on Japanese language and culture. for sophomores and above, based on the previous year’s grades.

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