The Launched Professional and Vocational University System

Research Trends and Comparative Analysis of Two Institutions

Abstract

　 This paper focuses on the professional and vocational university system introduced in 2019. After reviewing previous studies, we use two institutions as case studies to examine their educational programs and students’ approaches to first-year education. The institutions under scrutiny are X, which provides training for specific professional qualifications, and Y, which anticipates diverse professional training without specific qualifications.　
　 Both institutions share commonalities in their educational programs, such as offering specialized courses (Tenkai Kamoku) from the first year. However, while Institution X incorporates a significant number of mandatory courses directed towards specific professional qualifications, Institution Y offers a greater degree of flexibility with numerous elective courses for students to choose from. This difference stems from the types of professions they cultivate.　
　 The behavior of students choosing higher education varies between the two institutions, particularly in terms of whether students consider specialized training schools. More students from Institution X consider specialized training schools than those from Institution Y. Moreover, in Institution X, there is a greater proportion of students with clear future occupational prospects. Common to both institutions, the engagement in class and the evaluation of teaching and learning are influenced by the clarity of occupational aspirations.　
　 Recognizing this diversity is essential for establishing research on the professional and vocational university system in the future.