Exploring Local Issues and Work Styles through University Engagement in Ehime

Understanding Local Challenges and Work Styles

From August 3 to 5, a group of ten third-year students from Taisho University, located in Toshima, Tokyo, will visit Ehime Prefecture. Their objective is to learn about local challenges from a corporate perspective and develop a deeper understanding of working styles in rural areas through interactions with local university students. The project includes a fieldwork camp focused on solving regional issues, in collaboration with Sekai Co., a well-known local company, guided by Professor Seki Nao from the university’s Department of Regional Development Studies.

The students are part of a program called "Career Challenge for College," initiated by the Ehime Prefectural Government last year, which provides subsidies for transportation and accommodation costs. This initiative aims to encourage collaboration between students and local businesses, fostering contributions to the community. During their visit, the students will actively engage in various activities related to the local economy and culture.

The students will work primarily in Matsuyama, where they will take part in the "Hakobune Marche" project, an e-commerce site featuring regional products co-developed by Sekai Co. and local university students. They will have the opportunity to visit production facilities, conduct interviews, and suggest content improvements for the site. Additionally, they will uncover appealing local products from Ehime as seen from the perspective of students from Tokyo and participate in a visit to Iyo City’s famous initiatives in Tsukikage Town. They will also interact with recent migrants to the area, gaining insights into local life and working experiences.

On the final day, students from Ehime University and Kochi University, who are also collaborating with Sekai Co., will join for a networking event. This gathering aims to facilitate discussions on regional challenges and work styles among students from the three universities, promoting exchange of ideas and fostering deeper connections.

Since March, the ten students from Taisho University have been working online with Sekai Co. to discuss challenges and share perspectives. They are eager to make the most out of this experience, viewing it as an excellent opportunity to understand local issues from a corporate standpoint and contemplate their own future careers in regional settings.

About Taisho University

Taisho University, established in 1926, operates under the collaborative spirit of four sects of Buddhism: Tendai, Shingon, Jodo, and Tokudo. The foundational principles of the university emphasize "the practice of wisdom and compassion," reflecting the Bodhisattva ideal within Buddhism—those who aspire to achieve personal enlightenment while assisting others. The university adopts a vision of education rooted in the Buddhist ideals of compassion, mindfulness, coexistence, and self-illumination, striving to develop students with a strong sense of purpose.

As they approach their 100th anniversary in 2026, the university embraces this milestone as a second founding, further enhancing its educational research initiatives. For more information about Taisho University, visit their official website: Taisho University.