BRIDGING WORLDS: ACADEMIC ADVISORS' PERSPECTIVES ON GUIDING IB DIPLOMA STUDENTS AT OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The landscape of higher education in Japan is undergoing significant transformations driven by the forces of globalization and educational reform. This paper delves into the active reforms aimed at internationalizing the educational environment and evolving Japanese Universities into globally accessible institutions. A pivotal aspect of this transformation involves increasing international student enrollment and welcoming students from diverse educational backgrounds. This study explores the integration of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), a Geneva-based non-profit organization established in 1968, into Japanese higher education reform efforts. The IBO, renowned for its internationally recognized pre-college curriculum, is instrumental in shaping education to nurture global citizens with leadership skills.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, comprising the Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP), Diploma Program (DP), and the IB Career-related Program (CP), emphasizes international mindedness. The DP, in particular, prepares high school students for postsecondary education, equipping them with knowledge and skills essential for success at the university level while fostering nonacademic skills related to workload and time management. Recognizing the IBDP as equivalent to Japanese high school graduation in 1979, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) paved the way for the integration of IB into the national education system.

The Super Global University (SGU) project initiated by MEXT in 2014 aimed at elevating select Japanese universities to global standards. Okayama University, chosen under type B of the SGU project, aspired to become a model global university by fostering innovation and collaboration with top global institutions. Notably, Okayama University took a pioneering step by implementing an IBDP admission policy, exempting IB students from the National University Entrance Examination. Since 2012, IB student enrollment has expanded across all faculties at Okayama University, with specific admission criteria set for various courses.

As of April 2017, Okayama University has welcomed IB students from both Japanese and international IB schools, signaling the successful integration of the IBO framework into the fabric of Japanese higher education, and presenting a potential model for other universities aiming for global competitiveness