Universities and employers face graduate problems
Academic levels among university entrants in Japan are dropping. The picture contrasts with that of Europe, where the UK is experiencing “grade inflation”, and Finland, known for its high educational capabilities, lacks applicants. Each spells problems for potential employers.
A recent survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has revealed that 65% of surveyed universities in fiscal 2008 are employing measures to deal with poor academic performance among freshmen in Japan. This includes setting up high school-level supplementary courses.
Critics point to the 1970s secondary education reforms, which led to a decrease in teaching hours. University entrance examinations have also come under scrutiny; as a result of Japan’s declining birthrate, universities are competing for candidates and becoming easier to enter.
Also, according to Kyodo News, “entrance examinations do not necessarily include scholastic ability tests.” This means that students studying economics could lack an understanding of mathematics, while medical students might have no background in biology.
For a country whose industries are bent on re-entering the global market, dropping academic abilities could be a setback for Japan. The Daily Yomiuri reports that Japanese graduates could potentially face increasing competition from foreign candidates for positions.
And for foreign companies coming to Japan, finding capable staff could continue to prove elusive. English communication capabilities remain low, and with Japanese cities ranked as the most expensive in the world for foreign management, bringing in a foreign workforce may not be a viable option.
While accessing university in Japan is becoming easier, the situation is reversed in the UK. British universities experienced an additional 660,000 applicants in 2010, representing a 12% increase on 2009’s record-breaking numbers. As a result, UK universities are being forced to reevaluate the grade requirements for applicants. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), for example, will revise the requirements for 36 courses for next year.
Grade inflation has made it more difficult for companies to select job candidates. According to a survey by the Association of Graduate Recruitment, 78% of recruiters require students to attain a 2:1 in order to apply for a job. This excludes the majority of candidates who have attained a 2:2 or a third. According to the Guardian, graduates of 2010 “have been told to consider flipping burgers when they leave university.”
Finnish university students, who have come through one of the world’s most highly regarded secondary academic backgrounds in the world, are struggling to compete. They are slow to complete their study programs, an analysis by the Aamulehti revealed, for financial reasons. While tuition is free, grants to help with accommodation have not kept pace with inflation, especially in Helsinki. As a result, graduates work rather than study.
The Shanghai Jiao Tong University Rankings, a recognized measurement for the academic ability of universities, places five British universities in the top 50. The University of Cambridge, ranked first in Europe, occupies third place, while the University of Oxford is ranked 10th. Two French, one Swiss, a Swedish and a Danish university make up the remaining European representations among the top 50. Japan is represented by the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, ranked 20th and 24th accordingly.