## (3) Organization of curricula

It is recommended that universities verify the accreditations held by their partner universities that have been acquired and assured in terms of the quality assurance framework, including those in a particular field or vocational framework.

Next, it is recommended to confirm the kind of credit system (learning hours, including class hours, calculation for transferring credits, etc.) used by their partner universities, as well as any different timeframe for completing programs, the order of course registration, the procedures for credit transfer, the difference of academic calendar, and the differentiation between compulsory courses and elective courses, so that there will be no hindrance for students. It is also strongly recommended that universities make efforts to organize curricula with systematic coursework and course titles that properly reflect the content, and that universities should always keep the credits substantial, in accordance with the credit system used by their partner universities. In terms of credit transfer, it may be useful to consider introducing an existing international framework.

Also, it is recommended to offer attractive courses, including those taught in English, with their partner universities, to make programs more attractive and to facilitate the smooth arrangement and coordination of curricula. Similarly, it is recommended to make efforts to reduce any difficulty for students and enhance the quality of the programs, such as joint instruction approaches where professors responsible teach at each other's campuses.

Based on these viewpoints, it is recommended to clarify the competency that should be achieved by students for completion through communication/dialogue with their partner universities, and conduct transparent, objective, and strict grading policies including grade point average and peer review of grading to make the curricula more substantial and visible.

Also, it is recommended to provide appropriate supervision for master and doctoral students, such as appointing professors from all participating universities to every student so that each student can receive instruction from all of them.

## (4) Degree examination for graduation

It is recommended that universities ensure that they conduct an examination for approving graduation appropriately among all responsible universities with quality assurance. The following issues, especially, should be discussed in the case of examining theses, while respecting the system and other conditions of the partner universities: the number, content, language and other fundamentals for submitting theses, the schedule for examination, and how examination and joint instruction by professors is to be conducted. It may be that other procedures, such as submitting outcomes of intensive study in particular topics, would be accepted for examination on graduation approval in place of submitting a thesis, as long as such is permitted by national law and regulations. It should be restrained to consider the program in which the student can obtain multiple degrees with one thesis, so that the conferred degree would be duly respected in terms of quality.