2014 年 1 巻 1 号 p. 22-29
One of graduation requirements for all students at Akita International University (AIU) is participation in the one-year study in one of partner universities across the world. The number of partner institutions overseas has reached 159 in 43 countries as of November 2013. The purpose of the program is to help students in developing their independence and autonomy in thinking, judgment and actions, and also to give them opportunity to gain experience in the use of skills necessary to communicate and to express their opinions in unfamiliar cultural environment. AIU deliberately chooses the partner universities considering the quality of education, readiness for the smooth transfer of credits, and the feasibility to avoid of additional costs to students or university through the system of mutual student exchange. This study-abroad program makes a vital part of global human resource development program at AIU. We are now going further in planning to introduce a new global leadership program for the coming 10 year to identify AIU as a pioneer of global competency education.
