#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #J-PEAKS #KIBINOVE

Enhancing University Management Through Staff Empowerment

Overview of the Workshop

On September 16 and 18, 2025, Okayama University held its first workshop titled "Developing Skills to Understand National Trends" at the KIBINOVE collaborative innovation lab on the Tsushima campus. This event focused on empowering mid-level and junior administrative and technical staff, with participation from over 40 members, including those from Shinshu University and affiliated universities.

The purpose of the workshop was to promote the advancement of university staff by enhancing their understanding of government policies and trends. The goal is to equip them with the ability to reflect these understandings in internal university strategies and to propose advanced initiatives to the government.

Key Highlights

The workshop commenced with an opening address by Mr. Masashi Abe, head of the Core Facility Division's Task Force for Strengthening the System for Sharing Research Equipment. He emphasized the need for staff involvement in management and decision-making processes traditionally dominated by faculty. Following this, Mr. Takamichi Matsumoto, the deputy head of the division, delivered a presentation on the budgeting process titled, “Understanding the Mechanism of Budget Requests,” outlining the flow of national budget approvals and public project solicitations.

Participants then engaged in group activities where they discussed potential university responses assuming the Ministry of Education would initiate a public project. This interactive segment encouraged discussions on how universities can adapt and respond proactively to governmental changes.

Overcoming Traditional Barriers

Traditionally, university operations have been faculty-centered, but this workshop aimed to shift that focus. By fostering a dialogue that empowers administrative and technical staff as management figures rather than merely support personnel, the discussions were lively and targeted at resolving on-the-ground issues faced by mid-level and junior staff. Participants highlighted challenges like, “I know that staying informed is important, but I don't know how to do it,” and “I struggle to interpret government documents.” To create an open environment for sharing concerns, the workshop was exclusively for administrative and technical staff, while higher-level supervisors were present only as observers.

Future Plans

Okayama University is part of the Ministry of Education’s initiative, the J-PEAKS program, which strives to nurture it as a prominent research university that fosters collaborative innovation. Part of this vision includes staff actively participating in management and effectively transforming information into actionable knowledge, thus increasing their capacity to generate value.

Future workshops are planned for October, focusing on topics such as:

• - Understanding the budget request process (as covered in this workshop)
• - Methods for gathering national policy and trend information
• - Techniques for interpreting and utilizing government documentation
• - Practical strategies for reflecting these understandings into internal initiatives.

Statement from the President

President Yasutomo Nasu commented on the importance of collaborative efforts within the university, stating, “The evolution of a research university relies not only on faculty but also on administrative, technical, and specialized staff working together. Faculty may excel in education and research, but they are not necessarily trained in management.” The recent workshop aligns with the ongoing effort to transition from a faculty-centered approach to a more inclusive model involving diverse personnel in university management. As Okayama University continues to evolve, the community is encouraged to support and engage with these initiatives.

Conclusion

This workshop represents a pivotal step in redefining university operations by enhancing the skills of non-faculty staff members. It sets the stage for future collaborative efforts that aspire to create a university culture where everyone's contributions are recognized and valued. Totaling four sessions, including future topics, the initiative reflects Okayama University’s commitment to becoming a hub for innovation and excellence in education and research.