Relationship between 21st. Century Skills and the IB Learner Profile

Japanese Universities are becoming a popular choice for International Baccalaureate (IB) students, including National Universities. Okayama University is a Super Global National University (SGU) in Western Japan, which started IB admissions in 2012, and presently hosts 70 IB students including 11 graduates, in 11 faculties and 1 special program. Through continuous follow up of enrolled IB students over a period of almost 9 years, Okayama University has discovered some special characteristics in IB students, which has been embedded in them through their IB education and made them a holistic, global citizen. As a Japanese National University, Okayama University is hopeful that the increasing presence of IB students, who have critical thinking skills, a unique process of learning and an abundance of communication skills, will bring in a new wave of students on campus, in classes and club activities, who can influence international mindedness and help to globalize the university from a local point of view. This report, is an attempt to find similarities between the IB Learner Profile, which lies at the heart of all IB student characteristics and the 21st. Century Skills, which are essential characteristics in developing youth in the age of the internet.