Quality Assurance, a “Tricky Theme”: Two Decades of Experience With Certified Evaluation and Accreditation in Japan

Abstract

With the global expansion of higher education, quality and quality assurance (QA) have become important topics in every country. However, despite their extensive spread, the terms ‘quality' and ‘QA' are not used in the same way and sometimes lack clear definitions. Potentially, these terms can also function merely as symbols or fashion trends, with such fads winning out over substance. In this sense, ‘quality' and ‘QA' seems ‘tricky', posing problems that cannot be solved easily. This chapter elaborates on a problematic theme of QA on the basis of its structures and practices in Japan. In particular, it sheds light on 20 years of experience with Certified Evaluation and Accreditation (CE&A), which is an external quality assurance scheme, arguing the history, changes as well as issues for future development. The arguments also cover the roll and practices of the Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA), one of CE&A agencies in Japan.