Not enough female students!
?
Movement of ``women's frame'' in university entrance examination February 6, 16:41
To all the students who will be taking the university entrance examination soon, please do your best.
In fact, there is a growing movement in some engineering faculties to set up a “women’s frame” and invite female students to enter.
There were arguments for and against that it was unfair, but behind the scenes there was an urgent sense of crisis facing Japanese manufacturing.
(Good Morning Japan Director Ryusuke Nakamura)
"There are no girls in the engineering department..." worried high school students
Ayane Muramatsu, a second-year high school student, is currently studying hard to enter the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering.
Her future dream is to be an architect.
Ms. Muramatsu, who has watched her father work as an engineer since she was a child, has been attracted to her nature and craftsmanship.
Ms. Ayane Muramatsu
“At first, it was just a board, but it’s fun to cut it yourself, and it’s really interesting to see it become three-dimensional. I feel like it's good."
However, Mr. Muramatsu has some concerns.
In fact, many of my friends who are aiming to enter the engineering department at school are male students.
I also had the image of “man-centered” jobs after graduating from the Faculty of Engineering.
Ms. Ayane Muramatsu
“There are a few things that I wonder if college life is okay. Even after graduating from an engineering school, I have a strong image of men working in factories that use physical strength to make things.”
In fact, the proportion of female students in engineering faculties is quite low compared to other faculties.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, about 15.8% of undergraduate engineering students nationwide last year were female.
This is less than half of the humanities, which includes the Faculty of Letters, and the social sciences, which includes the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.
Moreover, this figure of about 15% has not changed for more than 20 years.
Even compared to other countries, according to a survey conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2019, the percentage of female students pursuing science at Japanese universities was the lowest among 38 major developed countries. is out.
I want it!
Female students to introduce "women's frame"
In order to change this situation, some universities have taken the step of introducing a "women's quota."
In the case of Tokyo Institute of Technology, from the entrance examination for April 2024 enrollment, the overall quota will not change, and a female quota will be set for some selection examinations.
The plan is to enroll 58 girls next year and 143 girls for the 2025 entrance exam.
The proportion is about 15% of the total.
The movement to introduce the "women's quota" is spreading in various places, and Nagoya University, Shimane University, and Toyama University are planning similar initiatives from next year.
The Nagoya University Faculty of Engineering held a symposium for female high school students and their parents to convey the appeal of engineering.
Tatsuya Suzuki, Deputy Dean of the School of Engineering, Nagoya University
"I was told that the entrance examination system has set a quota for women and that I can draw up a solid career plan for the future. I would like you to accept that and apply to the Faculty of Engineering. "
The government also supports universities that actively seek female students with subsidies and subsidies for private schools, saying that ``it is necessary to strengthen efforts to promote women's participation in science and engineering fields, where the proportion of women is particularly low.'' I plan to.
Regarding the women's quota, he said, "It is necessary to gain the understanding of society after giving a rational explanation of the significance of introducing it and that it will not be gender discrimination."
"I agree, but I want the exam to be fair..." Pros and cons of examinees
An initiative to set a quota for admission to the Faculty of Engineering and to allow female students to enter on a “priority” basis.
What do our students think?
With the cooperation of a major preparatory school, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 2,400 men and women.
As a result, 65% were in favor of the women's quota, and 35% were against it.
Reasons for their support include the fact that the increase in the number of female students will create a sense of security in campus life, and that diverse opinions are expected.
Women's category Reasons for supporting the school
"I thought it would make it easier for girls to get into engineering school. I think this kind of system would trigger change.
" It will give you a
sense of security.”
“We may be able to discover new values and highlight problems in a world that has been dominated by men.”
On the other hand, while they understood the significance of the system, there were also opinions that it was unfair for male students, and questions about the "segregation" of men and women.
Questions about the women's quota
"I certainly understand that women's opinions are important, but I also want the exam to be fair.
" "
You should choose based on your ability regardless of gender. In today's world of LGBTQ, I feel that it is too late to apply the framework of men and women to think."
When I actually listened to the story, I heard many voices that could not simply be said to be in favor of it, such as ``I'm not against it, but I'm not in favor of it'' and ``If only girls are given priority, it's putting the cart before the horse''. I was.
Tokyo Tech president's resolution: "What we need is 'positive change'"
Even though there are pros and cons, why do you dare to introduce a women's quota?
Kazuya Masu, President of Tokyo Institute of Technology, emphasized his deep remorse for the university's failure to contribute to society.
President Masu
: “As a university, we need to produce research results, link them to social implementation, create new industries, and contribute to society. We deeply regretted whether the industry was really born in Japan.”
Japanese industries, such as semiconductors and shipbuilding, once boasted a large share of the global market.
However, over the past 30 years, its market share has shrunk due to factors such as the rise of foreign products.
The economy and society as a whole stagnated.
President Masu thinks that the university could not have contributed to the creation of new industries during that time.
What can we do to contribute to society again?
The introduction of the women's quota is said to be a means for positive change.
President Masu
: “How do we create innovation? We need to fundamentally change the way we do research. Furthermore, I wondered if we, the students, faculty, staff, and researchers, could continue as we are now. To be honest, the current situation is too gender-balanced.Is it possible to create innovation in an all-male space?You can't break through the sense of blockage unless you do something drastic.Positive action I decided to introduce the women's frame as a change."
Even if there are pros and cons, in order to make a big change, positive reforms such as the ``women's quota'' are necessary.
From President Masu's words, I could sense that there is a strong sense of crisis about the current situation.
``Women's quota'' is one way to discuss it in society as a whole
After interviewing many universities, I strongly felt that all engineering faculties suffer from a low percentage of female students and need diverse human resources.
The introduction of the "women's quota" is a very strong means to that end, but I think there is a sense of urgency in the current situation.
As President Masu points out, I feel that the ultimate goal is not simply to increase the number of female students, but to make use of diverse ideas and values in the field of manufacturing.
Some engineering faculties are trying to convey the appeal of engineering to female junior and senior high school students by having them experience the same classes as at university.
I thought that it was necessary not only to discuss the pros and cons of women's quotas, but also to discuss with society as a whole and think about how to create a system that would encourage female students to take an interest in engineering and manufacturing.
Ohayo Nippon Director
Ryusuke Nakamura
Joined in 2022 and works at Shiohayo Nippon.
At university, he studied business administration at the Faculty of Commerce.