#Japan #Hitachi #regional development #Ibaraki University

Ibaraki University and Hitachi Form a Landmark Partnership

On July 30, 2025, Ibaraki University's Faculty of Engineering and Hitachi, Ltd. established a comprehensive partnership agreement aimed at nurturing human resources and collaborative activities in order to tackle local challenges and energize the community in and around Hitachi City.

Goals of Ibaraki University

Ibaraki University, which has its campus located in Hitachi City, aims to cultivate resilient engineers, establish a leading-edge research center, and produce talent that excels within Ibaraki Prefecture. A key aspect of its mission involves fostering local talent, with initiatives aimed at supporting the career paths of both undergraduate and graduate students as engineers in the region.

Hitachi's Commitment to Local Engagement

Hitachi, which originated in Hitachi City, has numerous key business facilities and research and development hubs that support the overarching Hitachi Group's operational technology (OT), information technology (IT), and product sectors. In the past, Hitachi Group facilities situated in the Hitachi area have deepened their collaboration with Ibaraki University's Faculty of Engineering through various initiatives, including workforce development activities, joint research, and workshops focused on resolving regional challenges.

Historically, the founding of the former Tagahigh Technical School, Ibaraki University's precursor, involved significant cooperation from Hitachi’s founder, Namihei Odaira. This longstanding relationship has enabled continued efforts in talent development and joint research. With this new agreement, the collaboration between Ibaraki University and Hitachi is poised to strengthen further and enhance initiatives in place.

Overview of the Partnership Agreement

The agreement outlines two main areas of focus for collaborative efforts aimed at sustainable community development:

1. Cultivating STEM Talent:
Collaborative events will be organized to deepen Ibaraki University students' understanding and interest in STEM fields. Opportunities for interaction between students and businesses are designed to help students consider their career paths. Specifically, internships will be conducted at Hitachi Group facilities, providing students opportunities to learn from diverse professionals in the area. Moreover, round-table discussions with successful professionals from Hitachi will enable students to envisage diverse career pathways locally, encouraging autonomous and proactive career planning.

2. Co-Creation for Local Challenges:
The aim is to create new ideas and research themes by leveraging the knowledge, expertise, and technology from both parties. An environment conducive to co-creation activities targeting local issues will be established, with the anticipation that themes will emerge that both partners can work on collaboratively to promote regional revitalization.

These initiatives, under the partnership agreement, are expected to contribute significantly to accelerating local revitalization efforts and will synergize with the 'Next-Generation Future City (Smart City) Co-Creation Project,' driven by both Hitachi City and Hitachi.

About Ibaraki University

Founded in 1949, Ibaraki University is a comprehensive national university with campuses across Mito, Hitachi, and Ami. It comprises six faculties and four graduate schools, focusing on education grounded in the concept of 'student success' and establishing a base for 'integrated climate change science.' More details about the university can be found at Ibaraki University Website.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi contributes to creating a harmonized society where the environment, happiness, and economic growth coexist through its social innovation business (SIB) that employs IT, OT, and products. With operations extending globally across sectors such as digital systems & services, energy, mobility, and connected industries, Hitachi strategically develops new growth opportunities while utilizing Lumada at its core to extract value from data and address societal issues effectively. Expected revenues for the fiscal year 2024 are 9.78 trillion yen, supported by approximately 280,000 employees across 618 consolidated subsidiaries as of March 2025. More information is available on the Hitachi Website.

For inquiries, please contact the Social Innovation Business Headquarters at Hitachi, Ltd.