Kyushu Connect 2025: Bridging the Gap Between Students and Local Businesses

Kyushu Connect 2025: An Inspiring Event for Students and Businesses

On December 14, 2025, the Kyushu Connect 2025 event was collaboratively organized by Alumnote and the city of Kitakyushu at the Kitakyushu International Conference Center. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap between local businesses and students, providing a platform for interaction and future career opportunities. The event was held as a side event to the student-led fundraising initiative, Giving Campaign 2025, and attracted approximately 300 students from across Japan along with 24 sponsoring companies.

Objectives of Kyushu Connect 2025

The Kyushu Connect event promotes direct communication between students and local enterprises. Its core mission is to celebrate the efforts of students engaged in fundraising activities while expressing gratitude to supporters. It also aims to assist students in shaping their future careers, particularly those considering a return to their home regions, thus boosting local talent retention and community revitalization efforts.

Event Highlights

Leading the opening ceremony, Kitakyushu Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi emphasized the importance of collaboration between students and the community. His heartfelt address energized the attendees, conveying the message, "Your challenges illuminate the future of our region. Let’s create the future together!"

The event featured presentations, awards for winning student groups from the Giving Campaign, and inspiring messages from participating companies, showcasing their commitment to supporting the students. Special content aimed at encouraging students to consider returning to their hometowns was also included.

Positive Outcomes and Insights

According to the post-event survey, the level of interest in working in Kyushu increased significantly among participants. Participants reported an average 24% rise in their interest in the region, with over 30% stating they had previously lacked interest in Kyushu but became intrigued through the event. Many expressed aspirations to pursue internships or job selections in the area.

1. Increased Interest in Kyushu and U/I Turn Potential: Many students who initially considered major metropolitan areas began to see the realistic potential of working in Kyushu. Comments reflected a shift in perception about local companies tackling social issues with a high level of ambition.

2. Meaningful Conversations Between Students and Businesses: Feedback revealed that businesses rated the interactions with students positively, especially appreciating the students’ willingness to understand their visions deeply. Conversely, some students voiced a desire for more time to engage in dialogue, underscoring a yearning for deeper connections compared to previous events.

Voices from Participants

From Students:

- "Hearing from local leaders made me realize the potential of Kyushu."
- "This event ignited my desire to achieve something meaningful here."
- "I now have a fresh perspective, valuing companies for their mission rather than just their prestige."

From Companies:

- "We had heartfelt conversations that went beyond surface-level questions."
- "We felt the potential of students as partners in uplifting the community."

Conclusion: A Day Filled with Energy and Hope

Kyushu Connect 2025 demonstrated that beyond numbers, what resonated was the palpable enthusiasm of participants. As students began to redefine their career aspirations by connecting with the missions of local businesses, this event marked a significant turning point in changing mindsets.

Moving forward, Alumnote is dedicated to continuing these efforts, focusing on fostering genuine connections that can lead to innovative solutions from the region. By establishing a robust platform for interaction between local enterprises and students, Alumnote aims to facilitate continuous community engagement and growth.

About Alumnote

Founded in October 2020 in Tokyo, Alumnote operates under the mission of redirecting resources towards next-generation education. By updating fundraising methods for educational institutions, Alumnote supports universities in activating their communities and improving fundraising operations. Through initiatives like the Giving Campaign, which enable students to engage in active fundraising, Alumnote plays a vital role in cultivating a culture of giving in Japan.

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