The acquisition of an academic degree is based on evaluation of a structured learning program. This prerequisite is becoming more difficult to verify as the programs of institutions and individual learning paths are becoming increasingly diversified. Student mobility is growing extensive both in and outside the country, while the provision of study programs also is becoming diverse, as is evidenced by programs provided by corporate universities and through e-learning. In this context, it is much more important for each country to ensure the international comparability and compatibility of its degrees and credits. NIAD-UE conducts research on themes concerning the credibility of academic degrees and credits, i.e. a comparative study on the structures of academic qualifications, quality assurance in Europe, U.S, and Japan, and development of the course classification support system using syllabus data.

In a mobile and lifelong learning society, modes of learning are becoming increasingly diversified. From this point of view, research is being conducted to find possible measures for the assessment of learning results, awarding of credits, and granting of degrees based on such diverse learning experiences.

Follow-up questionnaire surveys of degree recipients have led to improvements in the degree awarding process in SchemeⅠ under the NIAD-UE degree-awarding system, especially in the area of improving the efficiency of the forms and procedures for application. These periodic surveys target the same cohort and are conducted at different stages (at one year and five years after the degrees have been awarded). The questionnaire focuses not only on the recipients’ learning processes and patterns, but also on their careers after receiving their degrees.

NIAD-UE holds workshops and other gatherings that bring together researchers from both Japan and overseas on various topics concerning higher education, particularly credits recognition and quality assurance in degree awarding. In FY2009, NIAD-UE invited researchers from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP), an agency of the European Union, to a workshop to exchange experiences in assessment of learning outcomes and credit transfer at postsecondary education in Japan and Europe.Since FY2004,NIAD-UE has been holding regular research conferences on the structures of academic qualifications and higher education in UK, France, Germany, US and Japan. This research project focuses on the authority to award higher education qualifications as well as how the institutions guarantee the quality and authenticity of their degrees.

Many of the research projects are conducted together with higher education researchers in Japan and other countries under the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research scheme funded by the JSPS and MEXT.

• “Comparative study of quality assurance of bachelor’s degrees in accordance with diversifying processes for acquirement of bachelor’s degrees in Japan, Europe, and the United States.” (FY2004 to FY2006)
• “Research on quality assurance of doctoral degrees in engineering” (FY2006 to FY2007)
• “Research on functions of systems in universal access-based higher education “ (FY2006 to FY2007)
• “Empirical Study of Accreditation and Licensing as Promotional/Inhibiting Factors in the Development of For-profit Universities in the United States” (FY2007 to FY2008)
• “Quality assurance and the international equivalency of master’s course education in Japan in a transitional stage” (FY2007 to FY2009)
• “Research on the process of creating bachelor’s degrees for practical employment education in the United States” (FY2008 to FY2009)
• “Progressive research on the exploitation-oriented learning XoL” (FY2010 to FY2012)
• “A research on the impact of policy discussions on learning-outcome-oriented accreditation in US higher education” (FY2010 to FY2012)
• “A Research on the collage choice process of Japanese high school graduates” (FY2010 to FY2012)