Educational Goals and Three Policies
educational goals
The University of Nagano sets forth its "educational goals" under its "philosophy" and "mission."
Our university's mission statement regarding education includes the goal of "nurturing leaders who can think for themselves, learn independently, act proactively, seek opportunities for growth around the world, meet innovators from around the globe, forge a path to the future with a global perspective, and create new communities."
To fulfill this mission, our university aims to produce graduates with the following abilities:
1. The human qualities necessary for a leader
A person who has cultivated a strong sense of responsibility and ethics, autonomy and social skills, sincerity, warm compassion, and high communication abilities through communal living in a full-time boarding school, and has acquired the qualities of a leader who will lead the new era with rich humanity.
2. The power to create new local communities
We are looking for someone who, while rooted in the rich natural environment of Shinshu, has the determination to challenge the world, actively participates in volunteer activities and SDG-related activities, and can contribute to regional development and the global environment with big dreams through the charm of Nagano.
3. The ability to have a broad perspective and accept diverse values.
We seek individuals who are interested in the world, who can practically learn not only English but also logical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to accept diverse values abroad, while at the same time understanding the appeal of Japan from a relative perspective, and who can thrive in a global society with a broad viewpoint.
4. The ability to cultivate knowledge that serves as a compass for life.
A person who can make comprehensive judgments in a complex modern society in an uncertain era, possessing the ability to select a wide range of liberal arts subjects, think deeply, discuss broadly, learn independently, acquire broad knowledge and the ability to freely utilize that knowledge.
5. Specialized skills that form the foundation for success in society
We aim to cultivate individuals who systematically learn specialized knowledge and skills in their faculty and department, from fundamentals to advanced applications, who experience the joy of learning more deeply through seminars and graduation research, who possess professional pride and strong will, and who can excel through their high level of expertise.
Our university's mission statement regarding education includes the goal of "nurturing leaders who can think for themselves, learn independently, act proactively, seek opportunities for growth around the world, meet innovators from around the globe, forge a path to the future with a global perspective, and create new communities."
To fulfill this mission, our university aims to produce graduates with the following abilities:
1. The human qualities necessary for a leader
A person who has cultivated a strong sense of responsibility and ethics, autonomy and social skills, sincerity, warm compassion, and high communication abilities through communal living in a full-time boarding school, and has acquired the qualities of a leader who will lead the new era with rich humanity.
2. The power to create new local communities
We are looking for someone who, while rooted in the rich natural environment of Shinshu, has the determination to challenge the world, actively participates in volunteer activities and SDG-related activities, and can contribute to regional development and the global environment with big dreams through the charm of Nagano.
3. The ability to have a broad perspective and accept diverse values.
We seek individuals who are interested in the world, who can practically learn not only English but also logical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to accept diverse values abroad, while at the same time understanding the appeal of Japan from a relative perspective, and who can thrive in a global society with a broad viewpoint.
4. The ability to cultivate knowledge that serves as a compass for life.
A person who can make comprehensive judgments in a complex modern society in an uncertain era, possessing the ability to select a wide range of liberal arts subjects, think deeply, discuss broadly, learn independently, acquire broad knowledge and the ability to freely utilize that knowledge.
5. Specialized skills that form the foundation for success in society
We aim to cultivate individuals who systematically learn specialized knowledge and skills in their faculty and department, from fundamentals to advanced applications, who experience the joy of learning more deeply through seminars and graduation research, who possess professional pride and strong will, and who can excel through their high level of expertise.
3 Policies
The University of Nagano has the following three policies that are common to the entire university, transcending faculties and departments:
1. Diploma policy outlining the criteria for graduation certification and degree conferral.
2. Curriculum policy outlining the guidelines for organizing and implementing the curriculum.
3. Admissions policy outlining the criteria for selecting students.
1. Diploma Policy (Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Awarding)
Our educational goals aim to cultivate individuals who possess the five essential skills required for a bachelor's degree, who have a strong sense of responsibility as members of society, and who actively contribute to the broader development of society.
The five competencies outlined in the "Educational Objectives" will be re-expressed using keywords and defined as the bachelor's degree competencies applicable to all departments at this university (hereinafter referred to as "Foundation Bachelor's Degree Competencies").
(1) Human skills: autonomy, initiative, social skills, cooperativeness, understanding of others, self-analysis, healthy mind and body
(2) Regional creativity: Social creativity, regional revitalization, value creation, communication skills, management skills
(3) Global competence: English proficiency, multicultural understanding, acceptance of values, broad perspective, willingness to take on challenges, multifaceted thinking
(4) General knowledge: thinking ability, reading ability, ability to apply knowledge, communication ability, comprehensive judgment ability, metacognitive ability
(5) Professional skills: Continuous learning, strong will, inquisitiveness, logical thinking, ethical sense, problem-solving ability
Students who have acquired comprehensive "bachelor's skills" by combining these five "foundational bachelor's skills" with specialized bachelor's skills (hereinafter referred to as "specialized bachelor's skills") as defined in the diploma policy of each faculty and department, and who have been enrolled for the prescribed period and acquired the required credits, will be certified as having graduated and awarded a degree.
For information regarding "specialized academic skills," please refer to the diploma policy of each faculty and department.
2. Curriculum Policy (Guidelines for Curriculum Development and Implementation)
To produce graduates with the abilities outlined in our diploma policy, we systematically organize introductory courses for first-year university education, general education courses for all departments and faculties, study abroad courses, and Professional Licensing Programs and Technical Training education courses that consider life after graduation and throughout one's life. Our curriculum is designed to help students acquire the bachelor's degree competencies we aim for, and we appropriately combine diverse forms of instruction, such as lectures, seminars, practical training, experiments, and hands-on activities.
To ensure that students have a deep understanding of the relationships between subjects and can take courses with a clear sense of purpose, each faculty and department's curriculum policy will utilize curriculum maps, course progression diagrams, and numbering systems.
To ensure students achieve their target bachelor's degree competencies, we pay close attention to their learning methods. We incorporate interactive classes where students and faculty work together, active learning, small-group seminars, project-based learning (PBL), and experiential activities as much as possible. We aim to provide opportunities for students to experience the joy and pleasure of learning, and to ignite their passion for learning. Please also refer to the curriculum policies of each faculty and department.
3. Admissions Policy
Based on the diploma policy and curriculum policy, the graduation qualifications and educational content are determined accordingly.
We seek students who: ① possess a strong foundation of academic ability acquired through their studies in high school and have a high level of motivation to learn; ② sympathize with our university's "philosophy" and "mission," have a broad interest in issues ranging from local community problems to global issues, and are willing to actively take on challenges to solve them; ③ have a strong interest in the world and English, given our mandatory Overseas Program and compulsory intensive English Program for Global Mobility; and ④ desire to live in a communal setting that fosters independence and cooperation, as our first year is a full-time residential program.
Furthermore, we seek individuals who have a strong interest in one of our faculties or departments, and who wish to fulfill their dreams and contribute to society by acquiring expertise in that field. Please also refer to the admission policies of each faculty and department.
1. Diploma policy outlining the criteria for graduation certification and degree conferral.
2. Curriculum policy outlining the guidelines for organizing and implementing the curriculum.
3. Admissions policy outlining the criteria for selecting students.
1. Diploma Policy (Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Awarding)
Our educational goals aim to cultivate individuals who possess the five essential skills required for a bachelor's degree, who have a strong sense of responsibility as members of society, and who actively contribute to the broader development of society.
The five competencies outlined in the "Educational Objectives" will be re-expressed using keywords and defined as the bachelor's degree competencies applicable to all departments at this university (hereinafter referred to as "Foundation Bachelor's Degree Competencies").
(1) Human skills: autonomy, initiative, social skills, cooperativeness, understanding of others, self-analysis, healthy mind and body
(2) Regional creativity: Social creativity, regional revitalization, value creation, communication skills, management skills
(3) Global competence: English proficiency, multicultural understanding, acceptance of values, broad perspective, willingness to take on challenges, multifaceted thinking
(4) General knowledge: thinking ability, reading ability, ability to apply knowledge, communication ability, comprehensive judgment ability, metacognitive ability
(5) Professional skills: Continuous learning, strong will, inquisitiveness, logical thinking, ethical sense, problem-solving ability
Students who have acquired comprehensive "bachelor's skills" by combining these five "foundational bachelor's skills" with specialized bachelor's skills (hereinafter referred to as "specialized bachelor's skills") as defined in the diploma policy of each faculty and department, and who have been enrolled for the prescribed period and acquired the required credits, will be certified as having graduated and awarded a degree.
For information regarding "specialized academic skills," please refer to the diploma policy of each faculty and department.
2. Curriculum Policy (Guidelines for Curriculum Development and Implementation)
To produce graduates with the abilities outlined in our diploma policy, we systematically organize introductory courses for first-year university education, general education courses for all departments and faculties, study abroad courses, and Professional Licensing Programs and Technical Training education courses that consider life after graduation and throughout one's life. Our curriculum is designed to help students acquire the bachelor's degree competencies we aim for, and we appropriately combine diverse forms of instruction, such as lectures, seminars, practical training, experiments, and hands-on activities.
To ensure that students have a deep understanding of the relationships between subjects and can take courses with a clear sense of purpose, each faculty and department's curriculum policy will utilize curriculum maps, course progression diagrams, and numbering systems.
To ensure students achieve their target bachelor's degree competencies, we pay close attention to their learning methods. We incorporate interactive classes where students and faculty work together, active learning, small-group seminars, project-based learning (PBL), and experiential activities as much as possible. We aim to provide opportunities for students to experience the joy and pleasure of learning, and to ignite their passion for learning. Please also refer to the curriculum policies of each faculty and department.
3. Admissions Policy
Based on the diploma policy and curriculum policy, the graduation qualifications and educational content are determined accordingly.
We seek students who: ① possess a strong foundation of academic ability acquired through their studies in high school and have a high level of motivation to learn; ② sympathize with our university's "philosophy" and "mission," have a broad interest in issues ranging from local community problems to global issues, and are willing to actively take on challenges to solve them; ③ have a strong interest in the world and English, given our mandatory Overseas Program and compulsory intensive English Program for Global Mobility; and ④ desire to live in a communal setting that fosters independence and cooperation, as our first year is a full-time residential program.
Furthermore, we seek individuals who have a strong interest in one of our faculties or departments, and who wish to fulfill their dreams and contribute to society by acquiring expertise in that field. Please also refer to the admission policies of each faculty and department.
