This presentation will discuss innovations in undergraduate education currently underway at some Japanese universities. Specifically, the University of Tokyo has decided to establish the College of Design as a new undergraduate college in 2027. This college plans to adopt a broad concept of design and develop a curriculum integrating design thinking with a wide range of academic knowledge. Rather than focusing on a particular academic field, the goal is to cultivate individuals who can proactively engage with contemporary social issues by fusing diverse knowledge and pursuing interdisciplinary learning. I am involved in this project and will discuss the current plans. This new educational program is designed to be delivered entirely in English, aiming to attract a large number of international students. Faculty and students with a strong interest in social issues will gather from around the world, integrating diverse academic disciplines. It will form a community of individuals seeking interdisciplinary learning through interaction with people from various backgrounds. The program will incorporate campus life with residential elements and introduce a small-group, project-based educational style emphasizing student initiative. This presentation will discuss how the University of Tokyo, a leading traditional research university in Japan, is building this new interdisciplinary education. It would be valuable to compare and discuss our plan with equivalent initiatives in other countries.

Authors:
Hideto Fukudome, University of Tokyo, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Hideto Fukudome is a Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Tokyo, Japan. His research field is higher education and international and cross-cultural education.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hideto-fukudome-ba6a03152

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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