New steps aim to raise Japan's share of Asian students on campus

[mark_15]

asahi With the rising number of students worldwide seeking overseas educations, Japan hopes to gain a larger share of Asian students. To that end, the government plans to allow transfer of college credits earned overseas, sources said over the weekend. The move will enhance partnerships between domestic and Asian colleges through such moves as "twinning" programs for easy transfer of credits, according to the Asian Gateway Strategic Council, a policy group chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Continue... (http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200704160086.html )

[Dax]

Under the twinning program, foreign students entering Japanese colleges after completing their second year overseas will be able to complete their undergraduate degree by studying three more years in Japan. Currently, most foreign students here take longer to graduate because they first study at Japanese language schools.
The new program would reduce their total stay in Japan and financial cost, the panel's draft guideline said.
This is good. I hope this will also be applicable to future MEXT scholarships. Right now, the undergrad category for example requires their students 5 years to earn a degree (1 year for Nihongo, 4 for univ). So if you finished your 4th year as an engineering student back in the Philippines (just 1 more year to go if you continue there) and get accepted, you will have to study 5 more years in Japan, totalling 9 years just to get your B.S. Students under college of technology category require a longer period (1 for Nihongo, 3 for college, 2 for univ: a total of 10 years assuming 4th year natapos mo sa Pinas) just to get a B.S. At least with this twinning program, 3 years na lang ang kulang. If my understanding is correct. :)