Kanto colleges seek Kansai students

Universities in Tokyo are making efforts to attract students from the Kansai region in light of the declining number of students nationwide.

Waseda University's School of International Liberal Studies, established in 2004, will host a model class Saturday at an Osaka hotel. A professor of English and American literature will lecture in English about the development of print technology and media, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The university hopes to re-create the atmosphere of its Tokyo campuses at the event.

The 125,000 applicants for Waseda University this spring were the most for the ninth straight year among private universities nationwide. The university has organized few events to attract students outside its campuses other than explanatory meetings on entrance examinations.

"We decided to organize the event to gain more recognition for the [School of International Liberal Studies]," said Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, general manager of the school. "The Kansai region is a great resource for high-achieving students. We'd like to get ahead in the competition to attract them, even among schools within Waseda University."

The school has received about 50 applications for the event's 100 available seats.

Hosei University held its entrance exams this spring at nine venues, including one in Osaka. The university also has hosted about 100 trial lectures a year at high schools.

During the last school year, the university saw about a 60 percent increase from the previous year of applicants from the Kansai region.

Yasuhiro Hosoda of the university's admission center said: "It's pretty tough to erode the established base of universities in the Kansai region. Waseda's attempt is less like the emergence of a rival university than just giving students an opportunity to look at universities in the east."

According to the public relations office of Meiji University, which will begin holding entrance exams in Osaka next school year, the competition among Kanto universities to attract students in the Kansai region will multiply the effects of their efforts.

Keio University plans to open a research and education facility in Osaka next spring.

Kansai universities, however, are making their own efforts to attract students.

Ritsumeikan University opened offices in Sapporo, Nagoya, Kobe and Fukuoka in June and July, followed by its opening of a Tokyo campus and office in spring.

The university will hold events for university hopefuls in autumn in these cities, making the best of its nationwide network.
(Jul. 10, 2007)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070710TDY03002.htm