October 2, 2008

The new look Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) website (www.tuj.ac.jp) went live on October 1st. Beneath the cosmetics of the new look, a major upgrade to the whole website features simplified navigation to provide easier access, significant new content including a new university information section, and video clips that provide a “real life” introduction to several undergraduate courses. Features of the new website are outlined below.

Faster, simpler navigation

For many university prospects the website is the first point of contact for information gathering, so simple navigation is vital to enabling them to easily research and choose the program that best suit their needs from among TUJ’s diverse offerings, which range from Academic English, Undergraduate and Graduate Programs to Continuing Education and Corporate Education Programs. For instance, a person interested in studying “business administration” has a wide range of programs to choose from including undergraduate (BBA) and graduate (MBA) programs, as well as short-term non-degree courses in the Continuing Education Program.

The new site has a user-specific links for easy navigation by prospective and current students, parents, alumni and corporations. The new navigation also allows visitors to move more easily to the next action, such as requesting a brochure or registering for an information session. The upgraded site also features improved usability for current students, faculty and staff, by providing shortcuts to popular pages and other enhancements for regular users.

Live video clips of undergraduate courses

The faculties and the courses and classes they offer are the university’s “products”. At TUJ, the features of its “products” include small class sizes that stimulate lively discussion, and the fact that all classes are taught in English. However, communicating the atmosphere in these classes is difficult with just still photos and text. To help visitors get a better feeling and understanding of the unique benefits of TUJ’s “products”, video clips of actual classes have been created and posted on YouTube. Each 1-5 minute video has an introduction from the respective professor (with a few exceptions) together with actual classroom scenes that introduce the course content. Initially, videos for eight Undergrad courses have been posted, with the number set to increase in the future.

An update from the Dean

Another feature of the website is this periodic column written by TUJ Dean Bruce Stronach. In addition to extending a “warm welcome” to visitors, Dean Stronach talks directly about recent developments and issues that the university is facing, as well as sharing events of interest in his personal life.