University of Tokyo delegates study Penn's teaching system

Eastern and Western research powerhouses shared recipes for success this week as nine delegates from the University of Tokyo explored Quaker terrain. The delegation of Tokyo professors and administrators journeyed to campus for a three-day visit to learn the ins and outs of American higher education. Principally interested in the first two years of undergraduate education, the delegates hope to improve the quality of Tokyo's liberal arts curriculum by looking at Penn's teaching assistant system, course requirements and use of information technology, according to Cheng Davis, director of International Programs in Penn's Graduate School of Education. "Traditionally in Eastern countries, student course selection is limited," she said. "[Tokyo] wants to make a change but they need a model." Davis added that although Tokyo is the top university in Japan, it remains unfamiliar with modern Internet applications. The visit -- organized by the provost's office and GSE's Office of International Programs -- developed out of a formal agreement signed last year between Tokyo and GSE Dean Susan Fuhrman. The two universities participate in faculty and student exchanges and engage in joint research projects in vocational and higher education, Cheng said. She added that the delegates were particularly "impressed" with Penn's 21st Century Project initiative. Delegate Motisha Kaneko characterized the initiative as a viable plan for the future, but stressed that his team is more concerned with implementing programs geared towards the present. Although Tokyo recently instituted a TA system, Kaneko categorized Penn's system as "more advanced and very promising." He also gave the University's course evaluation process rave reviews, citing its potential for improving teaching quality. And after a discussion with members of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, Kaneko expressed disappointment over what he described as Tokyo's minimal student government. "It was nice to see a community of active students," he said. The delegates also met with Provost Stanley Chodorow and members of the Political Science and Chemistry departments. Kaneko noted that his team arrived at Penn "with a basic notion of a U.S. university," having visited the University of California, as well as Harvard and Yale universities.