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IJAS RELEASES REVISED STANDARDS TO ADDRESS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
2026-04-24The International Joint Accreditation Standards Project (iJAS), jointly initiated by the Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA) and the Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association (TWAEA), has officially adopted and released the iJAS Institutional Accreditation Standards Version 2.0 following approval by the International Joint Accreditation Committee in April 2026. The revised framework will serve as the official accreditation standards for future iJAS institutional accreditation reviews.
Developed through more than a year of consultation with international quality assurance experts and stakeholders, Version 2.0 responds to major developments shaping higher education worldwide, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, globalization, and increasing expectations for social impact and accountability. The revised standards aim to support higher education institutions in building more resilient, future-oriented, and impact-driven quality assurance systems.
The framework has been restructured from six standards and twenty-four indicators to five standards and twenty-nine indicators, reflecting a more integrated and strategic approach to institutional quality. Mission, governance, and sustainability are now addressed through a consolidated standard, while teaching, learning, and student achievement have been significantly expanded.
A key feature of Version 2.0 is the incorporation of emerging themes such as digital transformation and AI, sustainability and societal contribution, stakeholder engagement, transparency and accountability, and internationalization. More than one-third of the indicators incorporate AI- or digital-related elements, encouraging institutions to utilize data analytics, learning analytics, and appropriate digital tools to enhance governance, teaching, and internal quality assurance. Importantly, the standards promote the responsible and context-appropriate use of AI rather than mandating its adoption.
The revised standards also place greater emphasis on social engagement, knowledge transfer, cross-sector collaboration, and international connectivity, recognizing the growing role of higher education institutions in addressing societal and global challenges.
Another major enhancement is the introduction of a five-level developmental rubric system ranging from Initial to Exemplary. The rubric framework is designed to support institutional self-assessment, benchmarking, and continuous improvement while enhancing the transparency and consistency of external evaluations.
Version 2.0 is intended not only as a quality assurance framework, but also as a tool for strategic transformation. Through continued international collaboration and joint accreditation activities, iJAS will further support higher education institutions in strengthening quality, innovation, and global engagement in an increasingly dynamic higher education environment.
