#project management #Okayama University #PMI Japan

Follow-Up Meeting for Project Management Training at Okayama University

On February 3, 2026, Okayama University, located in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, successfully conducted a follow-up meeting focused on the foundational training in project management (PM) that was offered three times the previous year. This training initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Project Management Institute (PMI) Japan chapter, aiming to cultivate project management skills among the university's faculty and staff.

The venue for the meeting was the 50th Anniversary Memorial Hall at the Tsushima Campus of the university. Participants included vice directors and technical and administrative staff members who had undergone the foundational training in project management. The primary objective was to address any queries and challenges experienced in utilizing the PM skills learned during the training in their daily work.

During the follow-up session, participants engaged in one-on-one meetings with instructors from PMI Japan, seeking guidance on how to effectively implement the knowledge acquired. One of the participating technical staff, Ms. Yuki Nakamura, expressed that the schedule management and risk assessment skills learned had proven highly beneficial in her practical work. She further indicated a desire to utilize these skills in collaborative efforts and issue-sharing among colleagues.

Associate Vice President Masanori Sato emphasized the importance of such follow-up sessions in complementing the foundational training. He expressed gratitude to PMI Japan’s Vice President Shingo Fujii and others for their continued support. He highlighted that project management is not a ‘magic wand’ but requires ongoing self-improvement and a robust network of appropriate collaborators. He affirmed the university’s commitment to collaborate with PMI Japan to promote and establish effective project management practices within academia.

In synergy with this initiative, Okayama University is also enhancing project management training under the JSPS program titled “Development of Research Management Human Resources.” This effort focuses on nurturing knowledge workers capable of creating new values through their expertise.

The follow-up meeting aligns with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's