This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum, which aims to exchange information on the initiatives and research results of each university consortium in order to contribute to the development of higher education.
The commemorative 20th Forum was co-hosted by the Fujinokuni Regional and University Consortium at Tokoha University’s Shizuoka Kusanagi Campus with the main theme of “Creating a Sustainable Community Weaved by the University Consortium ~Aiming to Create New Value in the Post-Corona Era~”, and was held in Shizuoka Prefecture for the first time.

A total of 234 university faculty members and educators from all over Japan participated in the event, and through keynote speeches, symposiums, case reports and exchanges of opinions in breakout sessions, it was an opportunity to exchange information on the state of the “University Consortium.”

▼ Tokoha University Shizuoka Kusanagi Campus

[Saturday, September 2]

▼ National Association of University Consortiums Greetings from Hikaru Kurosaka	▼ President of Shizuoka University, President, Fuji no Kuni Regional and University Consortium Greetings from Mr. Kazuyuki Hizume
▼ Greetings from Shizuoka Prefecture Deputy Governor Tsutomu Deno	▼ State of the venue

The keynote speech was given by Dr. Kazuo Oike, President of the University of Shizuoka and Vice President of the Fujinokuni Regional and University Consortium, on the theme of “The Land of Shizuoka, the Land of Japan ~Large-Scale Natural Disasters and Crisis Management for Higher Education Institutions~”.

▼ Keynote Speaker Kazuo Oike	▼ Keynote Speech

At the symposium, speakers gave presentations on the theme of “Expectations for University Consortiums for the Development of Sustainable Local Communities” from the standpoint of industry, government, and academia, and lively discussions ensued in the discussions that followed.

≪ Coordinator≫
Dr. Kazuyuki Hizume (President, Shizuoka University, President, Fujinokuni Regional and University Consortium)
≪ Symposist
Tsutomu Deno (Deputy Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture)
Mr. Kimio Sakai (Shizuoka Railway Co., Ltd. Chairman of the Board of Directors)
Shigehiro Ikegami (Superintendent, Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education)

▼ Symposium

In the report on the administration of education, we welcomed Mr. Kenichi Yamada, Assistant Director, University Education and Admissions Division, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and reported on “Trends in Higher Education Policy.”

▼ Presenter of Education and Education: Mr. Kenichi Yamada (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Assistant Director, University Education and Admissions Division, Higher Education Bureau)

At the poster session, which brought together 18 organizations from consortiums, governments, and companies nationwide, participants asked many questions and commented on their respective initiatives, and exhibitors and participants actively interacted with each other.　　　　　　

▼ Poster Session	▼ University Introduction Corner
▼ Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology R&D Strategy Division, Science and Technology Policy Bureau	▼ Public Interest Incorporated Association 2025 Japan Association for the International Exposition
▼ Shizuoka	▼ Shizuoka City
▼ Iwate Higher Education	Consortium▼ Sendai Consortium
▼ University Consortium Yamagata	▼ Academia Consortium Fukushima (ACF)
▼ Public Interest Incorporated Association Academic, Cultural and Industrial Network Tama	▼ University Consortium Hachioji
▼ Public Interest Incorporated Association Sagamihara-Machida University Regional Consortium	▼ Public Interest Incorporated Association Fujinokuni Regional and University Consortium
▼ University Consortium Ishikawa	▼ University Consortium Kyoto
▼ Non-profit organization University Consortium Osaka	▼ University Consortium Okayama
▼ Educational Network Chugoku	▼ University Consortium Kumamoto

At the information exchange meeting, the participants exchanged food and drinks for the first time in four years after the Corona disaster, and participants said that they were able to communicate with each other in a way that only face-to-face events can provide.

▼ Information exchange meeting

[Sunday, September 3]

On the second day of the forum, four subcommittees were held on various themes related to universities and consortiums, and practical case reports and exchanges of opinions with participants were held.

▼ Subcommittee 1 (University Consortium Kyoto)	▼ Subcommittee 2 (Academic, Cultural and Industrial Network Tama)
▼ Session 3 (Fujinokuni Regional and University Consortium)	▼ Subcommittee 4 (University Consortium Osaka)

　
The purpose of the establishment of this council is to exchange information and research among the university consortiums, and the participation and active exchange of information by many of you will lead to great success.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the faculty and staff members as well as the many consortiums for their participation and cooperation.

　The next 21st Forum will be co-hosted by the University Consortium Kyoto and will be held in Kyoto City in September 2024.
Details will be announced on the website of the University Consortium Kyoto as soon as they are decided.
We look forward to your participation.

◆Click here for more information about the National Association of University Consortiums.