#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #TC College #technical support

Achievement of Technical Expertise at Okayama University

On October 15, 2025, at the TC College Technical and Research Support Presentation Ceremony held at Tokyo University of Science, Takahiro Fujii, a technical staff member of Okayama University’s Comprehensive Technical Department, was honored with the Encouragement Award. This ceremony is part of a hybrid event aimed at recognizing exceptional technical and research support capabilities.

The TC College was initiated in 2021 under the leadership of Tokyo University of Science (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology) to foster high-level talent among technical staff members. The program includes a specialized curriculum designed for various technical domains, culminating in certification as a Technical Conductor (TC) after completing coursework and writing a paper.

Okayama University joined the TC College program in 2022, and by last year, three employees had completed specific tracks and were certified as Technical Masters (TM). Currently, ten staff members are on track to achieve TC certification, indicating the institution's commitment to boosting the technical skills of its workforce. Furthermore, a satellite campus has been established to offer specialized training in the biomedical engineering course, enhancing the university's efforts to cultivate high-level expertise in technical staff.

The presentation event showcased the visibility of technical skills and research support capabilities while also fostering collaboration across various specialized fields. This year, 28 new participants presented their research, with Takahiro Fujii sharing insights on comprehensive support for animal experiments and future directions in this domain. His remarkable presentation led him to be selected among six distinguished presenters.

Fujii expressed his passion for continual learning through the TC College, stating, “I aspire to be a trusted partner in research, providing high-quality support beyond mere technical skills.” Supporting him in this journey is Yoshihito Sato, the Vice President of Okayama University and head of the Comprehensive Technical Department, who expressed gratitude for the attendees and emphasized the university’s ongoing commitment to staff development.

This initiative is part of a broader program supported by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under the ‘Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities Strengthening Program (J-PEAKS),’ developed by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Okayama University is actively pursuing the advancement of technical professionals such as Technical Conductors and project managers, placing technical staff as active partners in research policies—a rare endeavor in Japanese universities and research institutions.

Such pioneering approaches position Okayama University as a leader in creating new value from knowledge, by developing a workforce of knowledge workers who are integral to driving scientific technology, innovation, and societal transformation in Japan.

The university encourages the community to watch for the activities of Okayama University and its technical staff as they aspire to enhance their roles and contribution to society.

References

For more information about the TC College, visit Tokyo University of Science.
For details about Okayama University's Comprehensive Technical Department, check Okayama University Comprehensive Technical Department.