CHIBA, Japan – This spring, Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT), just outside Tokyo, became Japan’s top choice for university applicants, receiving 162,005 applications. This marked a significant shift from being second to Kindai University for the past four years.
Thanks to innovative changes in its entrance exam system, CIT aimed to attract bright students. The university, which has been around for over 80 years, plans to welcome around 13,000 new students across its five faculties.
One major reform has been waiving entrance exam fees for the National Center for University Entrance Examinations’ Common Test since 2021. This move alone saw over 80,000 students opting for this path this year.
Students now have the option to apply to multiple universities and departments with a single fee, making it easier for them during the application process. A university official noted that this flexibility helps assess a student’s fit for different fields.
The board chair has emphasized that funding should come from tuition rather than exam fees. This approach aligns with CIT’s focus on science, technology, and engineering, appealing to today’s job market.
Another interesting reform is the late application option, which allows students to apply until just before the exam day. This gives them a chance to decide based on their experiences in earlier exams.
While the number of applicants at CIT has surged, some education officials caution that many students are applying to multiple departments, averaging six applications each. Still, students appreciate these changes. Reiji Imai, a third-year information technology student, highlighted the cost-saving aspect of CIT’s system, which allows students to apply to several departments at no extra charge.
In response to modern industry demands, CIT has also introduced new programs. For example, a recently launched Department of Space and Semiconductor and Mechatronics Engineering aims to train students for careers in emerging engineering fields. Kazuya Nojima, a high school junior, expressed excitement about this opportunity, stating his dream of building rockets.
CIT has also put supplementary education programs in place to help reduce dropout rates. The number of students repeating grades has significantly decreased since 2012, showing the effectiveness of these initiatives.
As fewer 18-year-olds are entering the education system, CIT continues to adapt its strategies to stay competitive and relevant in the changing landscape of higher education in Japan. Experts agree that such innovations are crucial for universities to thrive in today’s fast-evolving job market.
