#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #KIBINOVE #Family Day

Okayama University Celebrates Family Day 2025 at KIBINOVE

On July 25, 2025, Okayama University, led by President Yasuto Nasu, organized a highly anticipated event known as Family Day, designed to introduce the families of faculty and staff to the university's intellectual resources. This event, held annually during the summer break, aims to foster work-life balance and enhance family understanding of the institution's activities.

A Gathering of Families

This year's Family Day welcomed 26 families, totaling around 70 participants, to the Co-Creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE). The event kicked off with a welcome speech from Takushi Ozima, the Director of the Next Generation Support Office, who elaborated on the purpose of Family Day. Yuki Mimura, an Executive Officer in charge of planning, evaluation, and general affairs, shared nostalgic memories of visiting her father's workplace as a child, resonating deeply with the audience.

Children participating in this year's event received exclusive Family Day business cards and were encouraged to mingle with others, exchanging cards with Executive Officer Mimura and peers. At first shy, they gradually warmed up and enthusiastically roamed the area, engaging in card exchanges. Although President Nasu couldn’t attend due to official duties, many children happily posed for photos near a backdrop featuring the university's logo.

Fascinating Exhibitions

The next highlight was an online aquarium presentation titled “Aqzoo” led by Ryotaro Horiuchi from the Graduate School of Health System Integration Sciences. Horiuchi showcased captivating videos from aquariums across Japan, which captured the children's attention with various marine creatures. Following the viewing, a mini-quiz competition on sea life not only engaged the kids but also rewarded those who answered all questions correctly with Okayama’s famous Kibidango sweets.

During a break before the workshops, participants connected online with a laboratory at Tokyo University of Science. They were treated to a live demonstration of crabs feeding, allowing for an interactive Q&A session that enriched their knowledge of marine biology.

Creative Workshops

As the workshops began, university student staff assisted participants in various hands-on activities including coloring sea creatures, creating resin clay magnets, and making fishing toys. Additionally, a special attraction featured rare butterfly specimens collected by Professor Kenji Tominaka, who answered participants' queries and welcomed them to admire the specimens closely.

As the event came to a close, families enjoyed lunch together at the school cafeteria, followed by tours of their parents’ workplaces, providing unique insights into their daily professional lives. Family Day exemplified the community-driven atmosphere of Okayama University, illustrating its commitment to fostering a balanced and open learning environment for both students and faculty.

The Significance of KIBINOVE

KIBINOVE, established in alignment with the Ministry of Education's initiative to enhance university collaboration with regional industry and government, stands as a testament to Okayama University's dedication to community engagement and innovation. This facility supports the creation of new industries and solutions to societal challenges, reinforcing the university's role as a leading research institution.

Conclusion

The success of Family Day 2025 not only exemplified the spirit of Okayama University but also highlighted the importance of family engagement in academia. As the event continues to grow, it reaffirms the university's commitment to being a vibrant, research-driven educational community, dedicated to nurturing future generations.

To learn more about the ongoing projects and vision of Okayama University, visit Okayama University Diversity Promotion Headquarters.