[Okayama University] Held Free Discussion with External Evaluation Committee to Achieve "Educational Goals" Set Forth in the 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan

June 28, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆ Overview

National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Kase) held a free discussion with external evaluation committee members* on June 12, 2026. This free discussion was different from the External Evaluation Committee meetings held a total of seven times up to last year, which aimed to achieve the "Educational Goals" set forth in the 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan. This time, the discussion was created and held to foster a space where Okayama University faculty and staff and external evaluation committee members could engage in open and frank discussions, looking ahead to the 5th Mid-Term Objectives period starting in fiscal year 2028. The key discussion points were, first, entrance examinations, and second, graduate school education. In addition to these points, a roundtable discussion was also held with the university's executive management, including President Yasutomo Kase.

First, a free discussion 1 "Entrance Examinations for Fiscal Year 2058" was conducted with Associate Professor Akira Okada (in charge of admissions) serving as moderator. The theme was "The State of Entrance Examinations for Securing Desirable Students - Connecting High School Education to University Education -" and opinions were exchanged from various perspectives. Against the backdrop of a society facing a significant population decline, including the 18-year-old demographic, and with predictions of regional disparities and changing values, the idea emerged that a shift from traditional "selection" to "recruitment" would be necessary.

Next, a free discussion 2 "Future Graduate School Education" was conducted with Mr. Hiroki Tabuchi, Head of the Academic Affairs Division, as moderator. Discussions were held on the prioritization of graduate schools, taking into account the latest national trends. Director (Academic Affairs) and Senior Vice President Makoto Sugama introduced the current conceptual plan regarding the prioritization of graduate schools (especially doctoral programs) as a J-PEAKS adopting university and the reform of educational curricula that assumes completion of graduate school for its realization.

Following this, committee members, including Professor Setsuo Taniguchi (Professor Emeritus, Kyushu University) and Assistant Professor Shinji Tateishi (University of Tsukuba), shared their experiences and initiatives at their respective universities. Open and frank discussions unfolded between Okayama University faculty and staff, with graduate school curricula and career development as the overarching framework, and the scheduled two-hour duration of Free Discussion 2 quickly came to an end. To conclude, Director Sugama expressed his gratitude for the day's proceedings and declared the meeting closed.

Okayama University will proceed with internal discussions for the 5th Mid-Term Objectives period, taking into account the various opinions and insights gained from this free discussion. We ask for your continued support and anticipation for the initiatives of Okayama University, a regional core and distinctive research university.

* The university has established an external evaluation committee system to achieve the "Educational Goals" set forth in the 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan.

Committee member Machi Sato (Associate Professor, Kyoto University) (far left) discussing in Free Discussion 1

Scene from Free Discussion 2 "Future Graduate School Education"

Director and Senior Vice President Sugama (right) giving closing remarks

Roundtable discussion between external evaluation committee members and President Kase (bottom right)

◆ Reference

・ Okayama University Center for Educational Research Promotion https://www.ipec.okayama-u.ac.jp/

・ Educational Reform (Target2025)

https://www.ipec.okayama-u.ac.jp/page_2138/

◆ Reference Information

・ National University Corporation Okayama University 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/profile/johokoukai_j.html#obj

・ [Okayama University] Held External Evaluation Committee on Measures to Achieve "Educational Goals" of the 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan for Fiscal Year 2023 (Held on June 24, 2023)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001509.000072793.html

・ [Okayama University] Held External Evaluation Committee on Measures to Achieve "Educational Goals" of the 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan for Fiscal Year 2023 (Held on November 24, 2023)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001856.000072793.html

・ [Okayama University] Held External Evaluation Committee to Achieve "Educational Goals" Set Forth in Okayama University's 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan for Fiscal Year 2024

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002245.000072793.html

・ [Okayama University] Held External Evaluation Committee (Follow-up & Feedforward) to Achieve "Educational Goals" Set Forth in Okayama University's 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan for Fiscal Year 2024

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002784.000072793.html

・ [Okayama University] Held External Evaluation Committee to Achieve "Educational Goals" Set Forth in Okayama University's 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan for Fiscal Year 2025

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003204.000072793.html

・ [Okayama University] Held the 2nd External Evaluation Committee Meeting for Fiscal Year 2025 to Achieve "Educational Goals" Set Forth in Okayama University's 4th Mid-Term Objectives and Mid-Term Plan

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003736.000072793.html

Okayama University Tsushima Campus (Kita-ku, Okayama City)

◆ Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter Okayama University Academic Affairs Planning Office / Academic Affairs Division, Academic Affairs Planning Section

2-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530 Okayama Prefecture, Okayama University Tsushima Campus TEL: 086-251-7172

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id15463.html

<Inquiries Regarding Collaboration with Okayama University Hospital (for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Company Representatives)> Okayama University Hospital, Center for Advanced Medical Research and Development 2-5-1 Shikada-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8558 Okayama Prefecture Please inquire about relevant matters via the URL below http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/ph_company/

<Inquiries Regarding Collaboration with Okayama University Hospital (for Medical Professionals and Researchers)> Okayama University Hospital, Research Promotion Division, Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Promotion Office 2-5-1 Shikada-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8558 Okayama Prefecture TEL: 086-235-7983 E-mail: ouh-csnw◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp

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http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/medical/

<Inquiries Regarding Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, etc. at Okayama University> Okayama University Organization for Research and Innovation Creation, Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Headquarters

1F, Main Building, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530 Okayama Prefecture, Okayama University Tsushima Campus TEL: 086-251-8463 E-mail: sangaku◎okayama-u.ac.jp

※ Please replace ◎ with @

https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

<Inquiries Regarding Shared Research Equipment (Core Facilities), etc. at Okayama University> Task Force for Strengthening and Promoting the System for Sharing Research Equipment at Okayama University (Abbreviation: Team Kyoyo)

1F, Main Building, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530 Okayama Prefecture, Okayama University Tsushima Campus TEL: 086-251-8705 FAX: 086-251-7114 E-mail: cfp◎okayama-u.ac.jp

※ Please replace ◎ with @

https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/

<Inquiries Regarding Startups and Ventures at Okayama University>

Okayama University Organization for Research and Innovation Creation, Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters

1F, Main Building, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530 Okayama Prefecture, Okayama University Tsushima Campus E-mail: start-up1◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp

※ Please replace ◎ with @

https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Okayama University Media "OTD" (App): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000011.000072793.html Okayama University Media "OTD" (Web): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000215.000072793.html

Okayama University Original Goods Online Shop: https://okadaigoods.official.ec/

Okayama University Integrated Report 2025: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003715.000072793.html Okayama University SDGs Homepage: https://sdgs.okayama-u.ac.jp/ Okayama University SDGs ~Considering the Sustainability of Local Communities (YouTube): https://youtu.be/Qdqjy4mw4ik Okayama University Image Movie (YouTube): https://youtu.be/pKMHm4XJLtw

Okayama University Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities (J-PEAKS): https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Industry-Academia Co-creation Activity "Okayama University Open Innovation Challenge" Partner Recruitment for April 2026 Term: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003912.000072793.html

Cost-effective research equipment rental/lease "SX Platform" with no installation, maintenance, repair, or removal fees

https://sxplatform.jp/

National University Corporation Okayama University supports the United Nations' "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" and received a Special Prize at the first "Japan SDGs Award" by the government. We ask for your continued support and anticipation for Okayama University's promotion of co-education and co-creation as a regional core and distinctive research university.

Okayama University Selected for MEXT's "Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities (J-PEAKS)" ~ Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university at the core of global innovation, co-creating the future of regions and the planet, and building a mountain range of research universities proud of Japan ~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001935.000072793.html