A proposal for a framework for an e-alumni program using SNS

Abstract

In Japan, there has been some argument that many academic programs today are often inadequate from the viewpoint of practical education. However, it is difficult for universities to secure enough human resources to satisfy their students' needs with sufficient service. TUFS, or Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, also faces the same problem as other universities do in Japan. One proposed idea to help solve this problem is to exploit the collective intelligence of alumni who have considerable expertise and experience in the real world. This paper introduces TUFS's new development of a SNS application on academic education for the purpose of improving its services. A framework of the knowledge management of participants' collective intelligence is also suggested here. This attempt proposes a general framework of SNS application on practical education of universities. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.