Okayama University Hosts Ceremony for Graduate Support Program in 2025

On November 10, 2025, Okayama University, a national university based in Okayama City and led by President Yasuto Nasu, conducted a certification ceremony for its 'Graduate Support Program for the second half of fiscal year 2025' at the Tsushima Campus. This program aims to contribute to the university's long-term vision for 2050, which focuses on co-creating the future of the region and the planet, as well as fostering innovative research.

The initiative is part of the Japanese government's 'Regional Core and Distinctive Research University Enhancement Project' (J-PEAKS), aimed at improving the qualifications of university staff. Starting from the latter half of fiscal year 2024, the program will widen its scope, expanding support from educational and research technical staff to include administrative staff and facility technical personnel, as well as library staff. The program now aims not just at doctoral degrees but also at master's degrees.

During this ceremony, the third installment of the Graduate Support Program saw Yuko Hojo, a specialized technical staff member from the Equipment Analysis and Biological Resource Technology Section, recognized for her pursuit of a master's degree. The selection process included evaluation by a committee comprised of President Nasu and other university executives.

The event gathered media representatives, during which Vice President Norihito Sato, who oversees the initiative, explained, "This program is one of the unique efforts in Japan, aiming to support full coverage of tuition and other fees while enhancing operational support during studies and preferential measures after degree completion. We need to evolve as a university, and we are advancing various initiatives to achieve this."

President Nasu presented the certification to Hojo, emphasizing the aim of developing PhD personnel who can take on leadership roles in university management. He stated, "This program serves as a tool for professional advancement, and I hope those who benefit from it will contribute significantly to university governance. It is vital that contributions include not only honing specialized knowledge but also acquiring management skills."

Hojo expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to partake in this program, vowing to enhance her expertise and contribute to the overall research capabilities of Okayama University. She stated, "I am genuinely thankful for receiving this educational opportunity. I will strive to improve my knowledge and research skills as a knowledge worker and contribute to enhancing the university's research strength."

Okayama University is striving to shift from a traditional faculty-centered management model to one where more diversified staff hold significant roles within the organization. As part of the J-PEAKS initiative, the university has set a target of achieving a 50% degree completion rate for Master’s and above among educational and research technical staff and 20% for doctoral degrees.

Long-term changes like these are vital to nurture self-awareness and confidence among highly skilled personnel who will lead a research-focused university, driving better governance practices. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of Okayama University’s resilient commitment to being a distinctive research institution.

President Nasu's Comments

In honor of Hojo's recognition, President Nasu remarked, "We express our utmost respect for her challenge and assure her that we will provide solid support. While 'advancement' can take many forms, it is crucial to change the precedent in which many university officers are educators alone. My aim is to nurture personnel with both specialized qualifications and exceptional management capabilities, establishing a new norm in our governance structure. We must continually evolve, and we wholeheartedly support our staff in these efforts."

Currently, including this recent ceremony, seven individuals (comprising four doctoral and three master's candidates) have been recognized under this program, including one expected to receive a doctoral degree in March 2025.

As these initiatives progress, we encourage all stakeholders to remain engaged with Okayama University's ongoing journey towards establishing itself as a core research institution that addresses both regional and global challenges.