Internationalization in a National Education System: Initiatives in Japan to Introduce International Baccalaureate Programmes

Abstract

Our rapidly changing world means that education in any part of the globe must now serve an increasingly complex set of needs and purposes. The Japanese government recognizes the need for changes in the traditional national educational system, the need to internationalize. As one of many initiatives to address this MEXT is working to introduce International Baccalaureate(IB)programmes into Japanese article 1 schools. In liaison with this initiative, the University of Tsukuba has developed and inaugurated a Masters in International Education program that provides students with the opportunity to obtain an IB educators certificate (IBEC). The program is of significance in that it brings together perspectives from Japanese educators, from educators in other national systems and also those from international educational backgrounds. The IB is described as an international education but has built its reputation for the most part in international schools. How can the Japanese traditional national education system be internationalised? What does that mean? What does that entail? Professors from Tsukuba and other universities have begun the Japan Association of Research into IB Education (JARIBE) to promote and collate research nationwide about the introduction of IB programmes into Japanese schools. The contexts are unique. However, the outcomes may have the potential for positive change and transfer, not only locally but beyond, globally. This presentation will outline progress so far both within the Masters course at Tsukuba and JARIBE.

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Author Information
Carol Inugai Dixon, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Jun Kawaguchi, University of Tsukuba, Japan

• Category: ACE2018

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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