Basic philosophy, features, policies of the program

Philosophy

The basic philosophy of the International Education Development Program is to develop human resources who can achieve collaborative problem solving from a global perspective through education and research on a variety of themes related to educational development in developing countries and regions, including Asia and Africa. The Program thereby contribute to the realization of a quality lifelong learning society and sustainable educational development.

This program conducts education and research related to international education development, placing emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects in a wide range of research fields and domains. The research fields and domains include the “formulation, implementation, and evaluation of educational policies as well as human resource development,” “subject education, and researches according to learning and educational stages,” and “diversity and fairness of education as well as citizenship education.” We have a rich educational and research environment with faculty members who are highly specialized and have abundant experience with international cooperation as well as students with diverse nationalities and backgrounds.

Five features

(1) Supporting students’ learning and research on a wide range of topics related to international educational development

Among the wide range of research fields and domains in international educational development, this program provides support for learning and research in accordance with the students’ interests. The main research fields and domains covered by this program are the “formulation, implementation, and evaluation of educational policies as well as human resource development,” “subject education, and researches according to learning and educational stages,” and “diversity and fairness of education as well as citizenship education.”

(2) Most lessons are held in English, and international students can submit the thesis or dissertation in English

Most of the specialized subjects in this program are offered in English. The faculty members provide guidance in English for international students to develop a master thesis or doctoral dissertation. International students can earn sufficient credits for graduation, from the subjects offered in English, and also submit the thesis or dissertation in English.

(3) A study and research environment for learning together with international students with different backgrounds from countries and regions around the world

Approximately 70 percent of the students enrolled in this program are international students, coming from a diversity of countries and regions in Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. Students have diverse backgrounds in terms of nationality, experiences, and research interests. Through collaboration with colleagues with different backgrounds, students can cultivate multifaceted perspectives, international awareness, and a practical sense.

(4) Practical education and research programs through internships and fieldwork in Japan and overseas

The program emphasizes both theoretical and practical aspects. Students can participate in internship programs or/and fieldwork in Japan or/and overseas, and earn the credits.

(5) Instruction by faculty members with extensive experience in international cooperation and seminars by guest professionals and researchers

The faculty members in this program have extensive experience in international cooperation. In this program, they provide numerous lectures and exercises based on practical experiences in addition to their respective expertise. We also regularly invite Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) experts and others to hold career seminars on international cooperation. Students can get useful advices for their own career development through education and research in this program.

Program policies

(1) Admission policy

The policy for student admission to the International Education Development Program is as follows. (The following policy is based on those in graduate school and division of educational sciences.)

(Master’s course)

The International Education Development Program is seeking students who have a strong motivation and passion to pursue the following objectives and who have the fundamental academic abilities required to achieve them.

A person who is motivated to acquire, in addition to a wide range of general knowledge, specialized knowledge and research skills in disciplines related to educational studies or in interdisciplinary fields related to those disciplines; who has an international perspective and the ability to communicate with people from different countries; and who is willing to work with others to tackle issues confronting human society today in order to realize a global society of diversity, freedom and peace.
A person who has a desire to play a more active role not only in his/her home country but also on the global stage; and who seeks to enhance the qualities and abilities required for researchers or highly specialized professionals, based on his/her experience in companies, international organizations, international agencies or non-governmental organizations for international cooperation, or local communities, and through learning and research activities at graduate school.

In order to admit such individuals, International Education Development Program selects applicants through a multifaceted and comprehensive evaluation process based on its own Diploma Policy and Curriculum Policy, using interviews, academic tests, and external examinations.

(Doctoral course)

A person who is eager to acquire, in addition to a wide range of general knowledge, highly specialized knowledge and high-level research skills in disciplines related to educational studies or in interdisciplinary fields related to those disciplines; who has an international perspective and the ability to communicate with people from different countries; and who is willing to work with others to tackle issues confronting human society today in order to realize a global society of diversity, freedom and peace.
A person who has a desire to play a more active role not only in his/her home country but also on the global stage; and who seeks to enhance the qualities and abilities required for advanced researchers or highly specialized professionals, based on his/her experience in companies, international organizations, international agencies or non-governmental organizations for international cooperation, or local communities, and through learning and research activities at graduate school.

(2) Policies on curricular design and implementation (curriculum policy)

The curriculum policy of the International Education Development Program is as follows. (The following policy is based on those of the 2022 academic year in graduate school and division of educational sciences.)

(Master’s course)

To provide each program’s specialized subjects that systematically provide specialized subjects related to education and its related cross-disciplinary fields and integrated fields in order to encourage students to acquire the expertise and abilities required for each field.
To provide common subjects for all graduate schools in order to cultivate wide and profound education and to foster the ambition to create “Science for Sustainable Development,” to provide common subjects for this Graduate School in order to cultivate shared points of view and abilities that provide a common basis for whole studies of human science and social science, and to provide common subjects for the major courses in order to cultivate shared points of view and abilities that provide a common basis for each field.
To require students to take a class subject outside the area of their main major subjects, which they take as the program’s specialized subjects, so that they can experience basic knowledge in a field other than their own specialized fields and obtain a broad point of view and the ability to think from multiple points of view.
To provide a Special Research Program in which the main supervisor and two or more subadvisors, whose specialist areas are other than that of the main supervisor, give research guidance in order to develop the student’s capability to identify and solve problems from a wide point of view.

(Doctoral course)

To provide a Special Research Program in order to promote the acquisition of the expertise and abilities required for education and its related cross-disciplinary fields and integrated fields.
To provide common subjects for all graduate schools in order to cultivate wide and profound education and to foster the ambition to create “Science for Sustainable Development,” and to provide common subjects for this Graduate School in order to cultivate shared points of view and abilities that provide a common basis for whole studies of human science and social science.
To provide a Special Research Program in order to develop a broad point of view that is not limited to within a narrow, specialized area and the ability to think from multiple points of view.
To provide a Special Research Program in which the main supervisor and two or more subadvisors, whose specialist areas are other than that of the main supervisor, give guidance in order to develop the student’s capability to identify and solve problems from a wide point of view.
To provide a Special Research Program so that students can become conscious of social problems and acquire a viewpoint of how they should exercise their specialties for solving social problems.

(3) Policy on graduation accreditation and academic degree awards (diploma policy)

The diploma policy of the International Education Development Program is as follows. (The following policy is based on those of the 2022 academic year in graduate school and division of educational sciences.)

(Master’s course)

The International Education Development Program will award one of the following degrees to a student who has acquired the capabilities described below, earned the required credits, and passed the master’s thesis examination and final examination, or passed the qualifying examination for research in the doctoral course, according to the research theme and the specialized area: Master of Education, Master of International Cooperation Studies, and Master of Philosophy.

Advanced expertise and a capacity for research activities in related areas or their integrated areas on the basis of education or other related studies, which can contribute to the realization of a high-quality lifelong education.
Wide and profound education as well as a broad point of view that is not limited to within a narrow, specialized area.
The ability to apply sophisticated logical thinking even when encountering unfamiliar situations or concepts, and the ability to identify problems backed by multiple points of view.
The ability to take action in order to solve a wide array of social problems as a member of a team comprised of specialists from diverse fields.
Awareness of one’s mission as a master’s degree holder and high ethical standards.

(Doctoral course)

The International Education Development Program will award one of the following degrees to a student who has acquired the capabilities described below, earned the required credits, and passed the doctor’s thesis examination and final examination, according to the research theme and the specialized area: Doctor of Education, Doctor of International Cooperation Studies, and Doctor of Philosophy.

Distinguished expertise and a great capacity for research activities in related areas or their integrated areas on the basis of education or other related studies, which can contribute to the realization of a high-quality lifelong education.
Wide and profound education as well as an interdisciplinary and international point of view that is not limited to within a narrow, specialized area.
The ability to apply sophisticated logical thinking even when encountering unfamiliar situations or concepts, and the outstanding ability to identify problems backed by flexible and multiple points of view.
The ability to take action in order to solve a wide array of social problems as the leader of a team comprised of specialists from diverse fields.
Awareness of one’s mission as a doctor’s degree holder and extremely high ethical standards.