○Guidelines for Building a Double Degree Program Between Yamaguchi University and Universities in Foreign Countries
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1 Objectives
The guidelines have been formulated in light of Guidelines for Building International Joint Diploma Programs Including Double and Joint Degree Programs, published on November 14th 2014, by the Central Council for Education Working Group on the Internationalization of Universities, Japan. The objective is to promote globalization of Yamaguchi University (hereinafter referred to as “YU”) by facilitating organized and continuous cooperation in the Double Degree Program. This will be between YU and foreign universities as the intended partner universities (hereinafter referred to as “partner universities”) in order to maintain and improve the quality of YU’s degree and curriculum.
The implemented programs are based on these guidelines, which define the programs as the Double Degree Program
2 Basic Principles
Establishing organized and continuous cooperation with our partner universities makes it possible for students to gain international experience and acquire their degree from two universities. Moreover, it is expected that YU will improve the quality of education through cooperation with partner universities, and will promote more qualified interaction and global competitiveness. For example, by developing human resources with an international perspective, receiving and sending outstanding students systematically, and so on.
3 Significance of the Double Degree Program
While two universities that complete the agreement will offer their own curriculum, both share the objectives of developing human resources and cooperating closely to implement education in the Double Degree Program. Therefore the universities enable students to gain more advanced and innovative learning opportunities, and the internationally compatible educational program allows for the mobility of students and credits.
4 Definition
The definition of the major terms in the guidelines are based on Guidelines for Building International Joint Diploma Programs Including Double and Joint Degree Programs, published on November 14th 2014, by the Central Council for Education Working Group on the Internationalization of Universities, Japan.
5 Issues to Be Examined from the Outset
The following issues must be fully confirmed prior to concluding an agreement with a partner university.
(1) YU must verify that the partner university is permitted to function as a university by the quality assurance framework in the country or area where it operates, such as accreditation by certified bodies. This accreditation is the recognition system by an external institute to ensure the quality of educational institutions. It might be also useful to confirm that the partner university is listed in the UNESCO Portal to Recognized Higher Education Institutions.
(2) It is important to clarify the objectives for the development of human resources in the program and to share a common purpose with those who are concerned.
(3) YU must confirm that the program does not conflict with any laws and regulations in Japan, such as the Standards for Establishing Universities.
6 Agreements on Joint Implementation
The objectives for developing human resource under the Double Degree Program, educational methods, and administration of degree examinations as well as the basic principles - number of students, faculty arrangements, content of academic activities, responsibilities to students, and tuition fees- must be shared and stipulated to ensure stable and continuous cooperation with the partner university.
7 Organization of Curriculum
The following issues must be considered when organizing curriculum for the sake of quality assurance.
(1) In order to avoid any hindrances to students, it is necessary to confirm the credits system, i.e. learning hours (including class hours), conversion method for credits and so on. Furthermore, the distinction between compulsory and elective courses at the partner universities should also be verified, as well as any differences in timeframe for completing programs, prerequisites for course registration, procedures for credit transfer, and academic calendars.
(2) It must be prescribed in the agreement that the number of transferable credits should be less than 60 for undergraduate courses, as detailed in Article 28 of the Standards for Establishment of Universities; 15 for graduate courses, which is stipulated in Article 15 of the Standards for Establishment of Graduate Schools. In the case of professional graduate courses, less than half of the required credits are permitted to be transferred from the partner university, as specified in Article 13 of the Standards for Establishment of Professional Graduate Schools.
(3) Professors from both universities must engage with students to ensure the quality of educational programs. Supervisors should make efforts to visit the partner university for this purpose to reduce difficulties for students.
(4) It is important to enforce strict grading policies including grade point average, Yamaguchi University’s Competency-Based Curricular System (YU CoB CuB), or peer reviews to make the curriculum more substantial and clear.
(5) It is necessary to provide appropriate supervision for each master and doctoral student by appointing main and sub supervisors at participating universities.
(6) In accordance with the law, learning should generally be completed within the course term. However, the length of the course term must be decided with the quality of double degrees to be conferred taken into consideration.
8 Degree Examination for Graduation
Regarding the quality assurance of theses and degrees, the following issues must be confirmed for the degree examination required for graduation.
(1) The examination should be conducted by adhering to the system and other conditions of the partner university such as the number, contents, language and other fundamentals of submitting theses, along with exam schedule, and joint coordination and instruction by supervisors.
(2) In principle, students must submit their theses to each university and undergo the respective degree examinations. Therefore, it is necessary to establish certain common standards for the degree examination.
(3) For the program in which a student can obtain two degrees with one thesis, it is essential to establish a degree examination committee that must consist of faculty members and student supervisors from both universities.
9 Double Degree Program Certificates
The Double Degree Program is a joint educational program that shares common objectives with partner universities regarding the development of human resources. To differentiate from a single degree program, a degree certificate must be attached to a diploma supplement. The diploma supplement is a form indicating the academic content of the degree or qualification, to be issued in the joint names of the universities’ presidents or as documents certifying the completion of the program. These documents must include information regarding the objectives for developing human resources under the Double Degree Program, alongside educational methods, degree examination procedures, and abilities gained through the program.
10 Student Support
The following issues must be considered when preparing student support frameworks in order to help students study without undue concerns.
(1) Universities must stipulate the explicit procedures for recruiting students for the Double Degree Program, including guidelines for applicants and the required actions to take when the number of applicants is insufficient to launch a program.
(2) In a situation where a student is registered for both YU and a partner university during the same period of time, it is necessary to clarify which university is the home university and take appropriate measures to assist the student.
(3) Universities must build an ongoing student support system, including the provision of appropriate instructions on taking courses and how to use the various support services that are designed to assist the well-being of students. It is important that both universities keep up with and share the latest information about students’ academic and daily life conditions and that supervisors visit partner universities to provide them with joint instruction.
(4) The measures to be applied in cases where students fail to complete their studies should be discussed in advance.
(5) It is necessary to consider tuition fees for participating students who may be concurrently enrolled in two universities. Specifically, in the case of extending the learning program beyond the standard course term, whether or not students should utilize the support system for the long-term curriculum to ease their expenses.
11 Others
(1) Reviewing of Guidelines
These guidelines may be subject to revision or modification if the need arises.
| Additional Statement |
| These guidelines will take effect from April 1, 2015. |
(様式；山口大学)ダブル・ディグリー・プログラムを証明する書類
(様式；協定校)ダブル・ディグリー・プログラムを証明する書類