#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #KIBINOVE #ORANGE AI Project

Okayama University Hosts Innovation Conference

On June 3, 2025, Okayama University (located in Okayama City) held the "Regional Core University Innovation Creation Conference" at its Co-Creation Innovation Lab, KIBINOVE. This gathering aimed to envision collaborative futures for the local community.

The conference was a part of the Cabinet Office's initiative, the "Strengthening Environment for Innovation Creation in Regional Core Universities," of which Okayama University was selected. The event included progress reports on the initiative and a platform for sharing advanced examples of innovation from across the nation to explore future collaboration opportunities.

At the venue, a diverse group of pioneering figures with connections to Okayama came together, engaging in discussions that transcended industry, academia, and government boundaries. The event provided a valuable opportunity for the exchange of cutting-edge insights and practices.

Deputy Head of the University's Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization, Takao Funakura, reported on the progress of the regional core university innovation project being jointly operated with Okayama Prefectural University. He introduced the establishment of a tech garage to support student projects, noted the results of local demonstrations using quadrupedal robots, and suggested ideas for sustainable operations and funding through signage advertising.

Next, Keisuke Hosome, an Associate Professor at Miyazaki University while working for Recruit Co., shared insights into practical entrepreneurship education at his institution. He talked about business development in the Green Transformation (GX) sector, leveraging cross-appointment systems that break down organizational barriers, and engaging students in project-based learning experiences.

Kuniaki Yamada, the CEO of Setouchi Co., introduced their educational program for aspiring entrepreneurs called the "ORANGE AI Project." This initiative focuses on nurturing next-generation entrepreneurs from high school and university students and integrates generative AI with efforts to resolve local issues over a six-month program.

Kenji Sasano, a senior researcher at Keio University's SFC Research Institute and president of the Japan Education DX Promotion Association, presented the latest examples of educational research utilizing generative AI. He shared information about developing systems for the automatic detection of defamation on social media and creating DX support catalogs for educational committees nationwide.

During the discussions that followed, participants proposed concrete ideas for enhancing collaboration, such as focusing on student agency in educational design, employing generative AI for matching needs, and strengthening partnerships among high schools, government, and private sectors. Attendees, including representatives from Okayama Prefectural University, Okayama City, and Chugoku Bank, contributed candid opinions on fostering human capital, utilizing side job systems, and engaging high school and middle school students in these initiatives.

Okayama University is committed to accelerating regional innovation through collaboration with various stakeholders as a hub for this network. They aim to continue contributing to community innovation through initiatives tied to their unique research profile.

More about the Co-Creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) at Okayama University can be found on their official website, where detailed information about their projects and collaborations is available.

For those interested in furthering these endeavors or learning more, contact the Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization through their established communication channels.