6 | The Japan 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, Takushoku University 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, Tokyo 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 Kindai University, 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 national university 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 Ritsumeikan University, 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, • Waseda University (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 Private university 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 Toyo University and the Examination for Japanese Univer- for current and prospective students. In Tokyo International Business College Hosei University 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 Nagoya University of Economics ciently improve their language abilities to they need by ensuring they have access to East Yokkaichi University 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 Tokai University Tokyo University of Science Tokyo Denki University West Waseda University Kindai University West Osaka Sangyo University Public university category Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology East Meijo University Yokohama National University Ritsumeikan University West Kobe University Public university category East Graduate school category Chiba University East University of Tsukuba Yokohama National University’s graduate school Tokyo University West Tokyo Metropolitan University Ritsumeikan University’s graduate school West Osaka University Osaka Kyoiku University • Award winners Kyoto University Shizuoka University Senmon gakko (vocational schools) category East Graduate school category Chuo Computer & Comunication College East Nippon Omotenashi College Aoyama Gakuin University’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 Kansai University’s graduate school Tsuji Culinary Institute Doshisha University’s graduate school Tokyo International Business College Kobe Campus Nagoya University’s graduate school Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology GETTY IMAGES PAGE: 6 Monday, November 30, 2020 | The Japan Times | 7 (Sponsored content)