VIEWS ON GLOBAL COMPETENCIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION AS SEEN IN INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN IN JAPANESE UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze global competencies of higher education in this era of globalization through initiatives taken by universities in Japan. As universities are increasingly influenced by globalization and globalism, they must address the need for global competencies in educational activities, including activities concerning globalism on campus. Educational activities have been centered on career education and competency-training to focus on the gradual process of students’ growth. This paper begins by examining the concepts and definitions of global competencies, focusing on five elements, then outlining 15 specific competencies on the basis of the aforementioned five elements, followed by a general discussion of educational improvement that would facilitate students learning and utilizing the 15 competencies smoothly and effectively in international career education. I will then examine an example of portfolio assessment as a method to evaluate students’ competencies in career education at a Japanese university. Portfolio assessment in the formation and development of an international career in university education are believed to help improve and enhance the quality of university-wide competency-education.