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Evaluation of Higher Education

Types  |  History

History of Evaluation of Higher Education

The origin of evaluation of Japanese higher education was the Deregulation of University Act in 1991. Since then, systematic evaluation frameworks were introduced, which have contributed to the quality enhancement of higher education.

1991   The item of self-assessment of universities was stipulated as a task which they should strive to conduct, due to the deregulation of the Standards for the Establishment of Universities.

1998   The Council for Higher Education Report introduced third-party evaluation, and stated it mandatory for universities to conduct self-assessment.

1999   The items of self-assessment of universities were stipulated by the Standards. Evaluation by external evaluators was also set as a task which universities should strive to conduct.

2000   National Institution for Academic Degrees was reorganized as NIAD-UE to conduct evaluation activities of universities and colleges, in response to the 1998 Council Report.

2003   The item of self-assessment of universities was newly stipulated by the School Education Law. The Law also declared that universities must undergo certified evaluation and accreditation periodically.

2004   National universities were incorporated. The National University Corporation Evaluation was initiated by the Evaluation Committee.

2006   Certified evaluation and accreditation organizations including NIAD-UE published the results of evaluation and accreditation for the first time.