Education Design | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Developing Academic Skills for a Fulfilling University Life

Students acquire essential academic skills, including how to learn effectively at university and how to write academic papers. University is not a place where students simply receive knowledge; it is a space where they actively construct their own learning. Therefore, students are expected to develop self-regulated learning abilities—planning, implementing, reflecting on, and improving their learning processes. These abilities form the foundation not only for success at university but also for lifelong learning beyond it. In addition, universities place strong emphasis on the ability to articulate ideas clearly and logically through writing, while engaging in intellectual dialogue with others. Academic writing is not merely about mastering report or thesis formats; it is a process that deepens critical thinking and supports the development of well-reasoned perspectives. Through this process, students strengthen their ability to think independently, communicate effectively, and act thoughtfully and responsibly in society.

This project-based learning (PBL) course is designed for all first-year students to maximize learning within APU’s international environment.

Students are assigned to multinational teams that mix Japanese-based and English-based students and remain in the same group throughout the semester. In the first half, through lectures and experiential exercises, students learn about multicultural collaboration, cultivating belonging, and creating inclusive spaces. They develop practical skills such as active listening, encouraging participation, expressing gratitude, and leveraging strengths. In the second half, students apply these learnings to design and implement socially meaningful projects, such as “Designing Belonging.” The course structure is distinctive: students first attend language-specific lectures in a large classroom, then move to smaller classes for mixed Japanese-English group work. Trained, multinational SAs facilitate exercises and support multicultural collaboration. Although students may encounter language barriers or differences in values and working styles, navigating these challenges itself becomes a vital learning experience. Through exploring diverse and fluid identities and engaging in dialogue and collaboration, students cultivate the will and practical ability to co-create more inclusive cultures and communities within and beyond APU.

(Related Link: https://en.apu.ac.jp/home/study/content55/)