give~muscle
大学教員の間でうわさが流れていましたが，とうとう東大が中間報告をマスコミに発表しました。fall enrollmentは明治時代にはおこなわれていたpracticeですが，fiscal yearにあわせて現行のspring enrollmentに変更したのが７０年前です。それほど国際的に競争力がほしいのは一握りの大学だけだと思いますが，うちでもheated discussionが行われそうです。（UG）
Todai panel recommends fall enrollment
Shift would give university more muscle to recruit foreign students
Kyodo
A University of Tokyo panel has proposed that the leading institution shift undergraduate enrollment from April to the fall in line with the international norm, sources said Wednesday.
The proposal in an interim report sets the tone for further deliberations at the renowned university locally known as Todai, which has been considering reforms to improve its competitiveness among the world's top-notch institutions that usually begin their academic year in September or October.
The report, which recommends introducing the change in five years, will be officially released Friday.
Fall enrollment would help facilitate acceptance of foreign students, as well as study abroad programs for the university's own students.
If realized, however, the change from April would also have a significant impact on the nation's current college admission and job recruitment practices, as the school and fiscal year begin in April. Many universities have programs to admit students in other months as well as April.
Education experts hope the move by the prestigious university will help generate a broad and lively domestic discussion on the issue, which had been taken up by the government on several occasions but failed to gain momentum.
Many business leaders are also hoping an increase in foreign students studying at Japanese universities will broaden recruitment opportunities.
Deliberations will continue within the university after the panel compiles a final report at a later date, but a conclusion is likely to take longer due to internal opposition. The school also will solicit opinions from high school and business representatives.
