Student Voices Project

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In order to “establish a system to reflect students' voices in university management”, which is a priority issue for the university, pilot projects were conducted in AY 2020, and in FY2021, the project was fully launched in collaboration with student volunteers. By AY 2022, we had established a cycle of activities as shown in the diagram below. The following is a report on the progress of the activities in AY 2023.

Project Objectives

(1) For the university to fully listen to the voices of students and create a system to reflect them in the development of the university.
(2) Promote autonomous student learning and enable students to realize their own personal growth (think independently, discuss with other students, and take action for change).
(3) To sustain the creation of a vibrant university for all organizations and members of APU, including students.

Main Project Deliverables

Results of Main Initiatives

■Gathering of student opinions

During the AY 2023 spring semester, the Open Forum feature of Moodle (LMS) was used to collect students' opinions about the university and daily university life.

Collection period	June 8 (Thu) ～ September 20 (Wed), 2024
Target	All students (Undergraduate and Graduate students)
Collection method	Posting on Moodle’s “Open Forum”
Number of posts	147 posts
Breakdown of the content of posts	Facilities and equipment 51 posts, student life 42 posts, mandatory classes 26 posts, extracurricular activities 10 posts, entrance exams 9 posts, domestic exchange and international exchange 3 posts, future plans and employment 3 posts, learning support 2 posts, administrative (office-related) 1 post, seminars and research 0 posts.

■Student Voice Project students

From November 2023 to February 2024, five Student Voices Project students analyzed the student voices collected through Moodle this year, the results of questionnaires conducted in previous years, and past responses from the university, and organized a public roundtable discussion with student participation. The students focused on seven themes regarding student life and learning, and compiled them into a proposal.

Collaborative Partners

Division of Student Affairs (supervision)
Division of Academic Affairs (collaboration)
Administration Office (collaboration)
APU Co-op (collaboration)

Planned Activities for AY 2024

Future Visionary Vice President and Summit Members website

Messages from AY 2023 Project students

2023

To all future voices of APU, joining the Student Voices Project is not just an opportunity, but a journey where your ideas, concerns, and visions can truly make a difference. This project is a unique platform where you can directly contribute to the betterment of our university, learn invaluable skills, and grow alongside like-minded peers. Your voice matters, and here, it will be heard, valued, and can lead to real change. If you're passionate about making APU a more inclusive, responsive, and vibrant community, I encourage you to apply.

-APM, International Student, 3rd year

Student Voices Project allowed us to experience firsthand being the student representatives to analyze current university issues, discuss them with the university representatives, and create solution proposal and presented it directly to our President!
It helps us to understand how decisions are made, and for us to be part of the decision-making process as well! All in all, it’s truly an enriching and motivating activity that you can do as a student to create change in our lovely campus, APU!

-APM, International Student, 4th year

Beyond recognition, the Student Voices Project embodies the soul of our campus. We are the whisper that becomes a movement, the quiet nudge that steers progress. Brick by brick, we pave the way for a better tomorrow, ensuring every voice is heard and every experience valued.
The university echoes our whispers, amplifying them into impactful change. Together, we are the architects of a brighter future, where every individual thrives. Join us! Don't just be a bystander in the transformation of our campus - be a voice, be a leader, be the change.

-APS, International Student, 3rd year

Do not miss this amazing opportunity to work with the office through this project. I am sure that you will learn a lot from this project through the interaction and communication among the people involved in this project and through the tasks that you will do including research and exploration.