#Okayama #Okayama University #Research Management #MEXT Program

Okayama University Selected for MEXT Research Management Program

On December 5, 2025, Okayama University, led by President Yoshitomo Nasu, received a significant endorsement from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The university was selected for the MEXT initiative for the 2025 fiscal year aimed at structuring systems for research and development management personnel, administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

This program's primary objective is to enhance research capabilities across universities nationwide. By promoting the active engagement of research management professionals, this initiative addresses the quantitative and qualitative deficits of such personnel in Japan while pursuing appropriate treatment and career paths for them.

The program supports institutions willing to enhance their internal personnel systems and nurture qualified research management professionals. Okayama University applied as a training provider institution and successfully gained approval. As part of this initiative, Okayama University plans to accept personnel from strengthening institutions and will offer training programs in four key areas:

1. Research Power Analysis and Management Strategy
2. Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Support and Intellectual Property (Regional University Model)
3. Startup Support
4. Project Management

The Project Management training is particularly noteworthy as it is developed in close collaboration with the PMI Asia Pacific and Japan's PMI (Project Management Institute) branch. This training is grounded in a long history of partnership with these organizations that are recognized globally for their expertise in project management.

During a pre-kickoff meeting held on November 27, key members including Vice Director Nohito Sato, Vice President, and senior URA discussed the training outline of Okayama University. They highlighted the significance of URA professionals in not only supporting research but also in managing the entire university's operations, sharing their unique journey from URA positions to higher administrative roles.

President Nasu emphasized the importance of a university-wide response to the need for research management personnel trained in various domains, not just research. He noted that understanding the full spectrum of university operations is essential for the development of individuals who can rise within the administrative ranks. Furthermore, he stressed that if the strengthening institutions do not effectively utilize the trained personnel, the initiative may lose its intended impact. Therefore, Okayama University's training program will actively engage with these institutions to encourage effective implementation of learned skills.

Okayama University is part of a broader initiative called the **