SOKENDAI Guidelines for International Collaborative Degree Program
16 March 2021
Approved by the Educational Committee of SOKENDAISOKENDAI aims to foster researchers who can play an active role in the international academic community, withthe educational goals of “academic expertise”, “broad perspective” and “global competence”. In particular,
promoting International Collaborative Degree Programs utilizing joint research networks of IURIs (Inter-UniversityResearch Institutes) is a priority for SOKENDAI in order to enhance the international mobility of students.
From the perspective of quality assurance of degrees and education, International Collaborative Degree Programsof SOKENDAI should be operated with “Guidelines for Establishing Joint degree and double degree International
Joint Degree Programs between Japanese Universities and Foreign Universities” formulated by the Central Councilfor Education in November 2014. In 2018, SOKENDAI started a double degree program based on theabove-mentioned guidelines.
On the other hand, in the academic community centered on Europe, International Joint Degrees based on theFrench origin “Cotutelle” (joint supervision of dissertation research by faculty members belonging to multiple
institutions of higher education) are the mainstream. In recent years, this trend has spread to Asian countries. In thefuture, the introduction of the Cotutelle method will be essential for SOKENDAI to expand international mobility withresearch universities in European and Asian countries. At the same time, for SOKENDAI, which has a diverse andabundant international joint research network and conducts graduate school education for a small number ofstudents, Cotutelle is a method with great advantages.
Based on the above-mentioned viewpoints and the current situation of SOKENDAI, these guidelines present newguidance that should be referred to when implementing International Collaborative Degree Programs atSOKENDAI in the future.
1.

Purpose of the Program

SOKENDAI implements International Collaborative Degree Programs for the following purposes.
Cultivate the research abilities of graduate students through overseas research experience.
By utilizing overseas research environments, SOKENDAI will broaden the scope of students` dissertation
research.
In addition to sending graduate students abroad, SOKENDAI will also accept overseas graduate students andprovide opportunities to increase the international mobility of young researchers.
Expand collaboration and cooperation with overseas educational and research institutions to enhance
SOKENDAI`s international presence.
2.

Definitions

The definitions of International Collaborative Degree Programs in these guidelines are as follows. Terms such as“double degree” and “dual degree” may mean different systems depending on the country or university.
Therefore, when SOKENDAI and an overseas university implement the program below, another name may be
used after consultation with the overseas university.

1) Double degree
A program in which one graduate student is enrolled in both SOKENDAI and an overseas university at the sametime, aiming to complete two degree programs of the same level, and receives joint research guidance from two
faculty members belonging to each university. The purpose of the program is to obtain two degrees by moderating
the period and amount of study. Students submit dissertations with different topics to each university, and two
degrees are awarded through individual thesis defenses.
2) Dual Degree (Cotutelle)A program in which one graduate student is enrolled in both SOKENDAI and an oversea university at the sametime, and receives joint research guidance from two faculty members belonging to each university. Dissertation
research is conducted under the supervision of two official supervisors based on a framework agreement and anindividual agreement between the universities. Students who have fulfilled the completion requirements in advancebased on the agreement of both universities will be jointly reviewed for one dissertation and awarded one degree.
Under the Cotutelle system implemented by SOKENDAI, two diplomas are issued from each university (1 degreeand 2 diplomas system).
3) International Joint Supervision
In this program, one graduate student receives joint research guidance by two faculty members belonging toSOKENDAI and an overseas university. The student is enrolled only in his/her home university and belong to thehost university as a non-regular (non-degree-seeking) student. One dissertation will be jointly reviewed and one
degree will be awarded by the home university upon successful fulfillment of requirements of the home university.
In addition, a joint certificate of completion is issued to certify that SOKENDAI and the partner university jointly
supervised the thesis.
3.

Program establishment requirements

The following requirements must be met for program establishment and implementation.
From the perspective of quality assurance of degrees and education, the program must comply withrelevant laws and regulations and quality assurance guidelines for graduate school education.

The partner university is positioned as an institution of higher education in the school education system of
the country concerned, is an educational institution equivalent to a university in Japan, and has received
public quality assurance, such as accreditation etc., required in the country concerned.

An inter-university academic exchange agreement has been concluded between SOKENDAI and thepartner university, and research exchange that forms the basis of the program is being implemented. Whenestablishing a program, it is desirable that there have been systematic research exchange between
SOKENDAI and the partner university. At SOKENDAI, the department in charge is responsible for theimplementation of the program as an organization.

The implementation of the program will contribute to the progress and development of the graduate
student`s dissertation research, the improvement of the quality of SOKENDAI`s education and research,and enhancement of SOKENDAI`s presence in the international academic community.

4.

Establishment and Implementation of Programs

After confirming that the requirements in the preceding paragraph are met, the department that establishes theprogram concludes a framework agreement regarding the content of the program implementation with the partner
university. At SOKENDAI, establishment of the program shall be approved when the conclusion of the frameworkagreement is approved by the internal committees concerned.
In implementing the double degree program, the joint steering committee will be established for each student. AtSOKENDAI, the implementation of the program shall be approved when the teaching plan formulated by the joint
steering committee is approved by the department committee to which the student belongs.
The implementation of the dual degree program and the international joint supervision program is approved when
the individual agreement that stipulates the details of program implementation is concluded after full consultation
between the supervisors and the student. At SOKENDAI, implementation of the program shall be approved when
the conclusion of individual agreements is approved by the internal committees concerned.
Please refer to the guidelines for each program for the details of the items to be included in each agreement andthe requirements and procedures to be followed when implementing the program.

5.

Check and Evaluation

The department implementing the program shall review the status of the program and evaluate it on a regularbasis.

6.

Disclosure of Information

Results and educational outcomes of the programs will be published on the website.
[Notes]・This English translation is for reference purposes only.
In the event of any differences in meaning between the original Japanese version and this English translation,
the original Japanese version takes precedence.
・In these guidelines, “programs” that are internal organizations of SOKENDAI (e.g., Molecular Science Program)are referred to as "departments" for convenience.

[Attachment]
1.
2.

Type of International Collaborative Degree Programs at SOKENDAI
Academic Exchange Agreement Memorandum Template【Attachment 1】Types of international collaborative program at SOKENDAI
Types ofprogram

Requirements forthe universities

DoubleDegree

Both universities
shall be higher
education
institutions thathave officially been
granted authority ofawarding degree inthe country orregion.

Cotutelle(DualDegree)

Both universities
shall be highereducation
institutions thathave officially been
granted authority ofawarding degree inthe country orregion.

JointSupervision

NumberCompletion
ofrequirements Doctoral
ThesisDefenseDoctoral Degree

Diploma

3 years or more(must include 1 year
minimum at SOKENDAI)

Completion
requirements
set by eachuniversity
must be met.

22 defenses(At eachuniversity)

2 degrees(Each university
grants a degreeindividually.)

2 diplomas(Each university
issues a diploma
individually.)

3 years(must include 1 year
minimum at SOKENDAI)

Completion
requirements
set by eachuniversity
must be met.

1

1 defense(Jointdefense bybothuniversities)

2 diplomas
1 degree(Each university(Both universities issues a diploma
jointly award athat bears thesingle degree.)name of theother university.)

1 defense(Jointdefense bybothuniversities)

1 diploma（Homeuniversity issues
a diploma thatbears the nameof the host1 degreeuniversity. Or(Home university
both universities
award a degree.)jointly issue acertificate withjoint signature
besides a
diploma issued
by each own.）

Status at
the hostuniversity

Fees

Period of program

RegularStudent

Mutualexemption (payonly for homeuniversity)

RegularStudent

Mutualexemption (payonly for homeuniversity)

MutualNon-regular exemption (paystudent
only for homeuniversity)

3 years(must include 1 yearminimum at SOKENDAI)

Completion
requirements
set by homeuniversity
must be met.

1

【Attachment 2】Academic Exchange Agreement Memorandum Template
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
ON ACADEMIC EXCHANGE
Between
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI (JAPAN)
And_________________________ (NAME OF PARTNER INSTITUTION) (COUNTRY)This agreement is entered into between the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI (hereinafterreferred to as SOKENDAI), Japan, one party, and _________________________ (herein after referred to as_________), the other party, both institutions being convinced that academic exchange and cooperation will
promote the development of research and other academic activities in each institution.
Article 1. The parties hereto agree to promote cooperation in academic fields of mutual interests through thefollowings.
1. Exchange of faculty members, researchers, and staffs
2. Exchange of graduate students
3. Conducting joint supervision of thesis
4. Conducting joint research activities
5. Holding lectures and symposia
6. Exchange of information and academic publications
Article 2. Matters pertaining to the implementation of the above mentioned in Article 1 shall be negotiated andagreed upon between both parties.
Article 3. Works results (intellectual property) arising from collaborative research activities under this MoU, andwhich is rightfully acquired by the institutions, shall in principle be shared between both institutions, and they shallseek an equitable and fair understanding as to ownership and other property interests that may arise.
Article 4. This MoU remains effective for a period of five years starting from the later date of the signing indicatedbelow by the parties hereto. Its period of validity may be extended by mutual agreement. Either party may, bygiving six months written notice to the other party, terminate this MoU during its period of validity.
Article 5. This MoU is prepared in English (two identical copies). Each party holds one original copy duly signedby the President of SOKENDAI and the President of _________.
The parties hereto establish this MoU by duly signing as of the respective dates written below.
_______________________________Dr.
President
The Graduate University
for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI
Date:_______________________________Dr.
President
Date: