Initiatives Underway to Improve Engineering Education at Kagoshima Kosen in Japan

摘要

The purpose of this article is to introduce the system of National Colleges of Technology (Kosen) as unique institutions of higher education in Japan and describe recent improvements in engineering (including civil engineering) education at Kagoshima National College of Technology (Kagoshima Kosen; KNCT). The effects and the problems of these trials and improvements are discussed. Finally, some lessons learned from recent interaction between KNCT and some civil engineering academic institutions in Canada is also presented.