[Okayama University] Meeting Held with Iwate University on Fostering and Utilizing R&D Management Personnel Capable of University Management

March 30, 2026
National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆Overview

National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasuyuki Hibino) visited the Ueda Campus of Iwate University (Morioka City) on March 23, 2026, along with Osaka University, to hold a meeting regarding the fostering and utilization of R&D management personnel.

This meeting was held as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "System Development Project for R&D Management Personnel," which aims to strengthen the research capabilities of universities nationwide by promoting the activities of R&D management personnel, addressing the quantitative shortage and improving the quality of such personnel in Japan, and establishing appropriate treatment and career paths. Okayama University and Osaka University serve as training providers, and Iwate University is an institution dispatching trainees (system strengthening institution). The meeting was held from the perspective of improving operations and strengthening collaboration for the project's implementation in the coming fiscal year and beyond.

On the day of the meeting, Professor Ken Sawai and Hideki Hamada, Director of the Research and Regional Cooperation Department, participated from Iwate University. From Okayama University, Vice President Norihito Sato (in charge of Research and Industry-Academia Co-creation), Vice President (Academic Affairs), and Senior URA, who is the project implementation manager, and Makoto Shobou, Chief Specialist of the Research Cooperation Division, Research and Innovation Co-creation Management Department, participated.

At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Sawai spoke about Iwate University's initiatives and expectations for the training provider institutions. Following this, Vice President Sato explained the purpose of the meeting along with greetings. Chief Specialist Shobou provided a detailed explanation of Okayama University's training offerings. Subsequently, an explanation of Osaka University's training offerings was also given by the person in charge.

During the Q&A session, discussions covered not only the detailed aspects of the training menu but also the career paths of trainees planned to be dispatched from Iwate University and the development menu within Iwate University prior to their dispatch. Furthermore, the discussion touched upon the long-term development of URA personnel, such as the career path of Okayama University's URA, towards taking on university management roles, and the utilization and career paths of educational and research technical staff as R&D management personnel.

Regarding this meeting, Vice President Sato, Vice President, and Senior URA, the project implementation manager, stated, "We are deeply grateful to Professor Sawai and everyone for accommodating us on the busy day of the graduation ceremony. Iwate University and our university are both regional national universities, and we share similarities in the challenges and possibilities we face. We were also greatly inspired by Iwate University's perspective on how to advance R&D management personnel and utilize them in university management, as well as the utilization of personnel including technical staff, which has led to the development of better training provision menus."

Okayama University will continue to strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders and promote the advancement of fostering and utilizing R&D management personnel. To leverage this, we will swiftly advance flexible organizational and institutional reforms that are not bound by conventional frameworks. Please continue to look forward to the challenges of Okayama University, an open research university that co-creates the future of regions and the globe and realizes social transformation, and Iwate University.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the meeting between Okayama University and Iwate University?

The meeting was held as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's project to foster and utilize R&D management personnel. The goal is to strengthen research capabilities nationwide by promoting the activities of these personnel, addressing shortages, improving quality, and establishing appropriate career paths.

Who participated in the meeting?

From Iwate University, Professor Ken Sawai and Director Hideki Hamada participated. From Okayama University, Vice President Norihito Sato and Chief Specialist Makoto Shobou participated. Osaka University also had representatives present.

What topics were discussed during the meeting?

Discussions covered the details of training menus, career paths for trainees, development programs within Iwate University, long-term development of URA personnel for university management, and the utilization and career paths of educational and research technical staff as R&D management personnel.

What is the role of Okayama University and Osaka University in this project?

Okayama University and Osaka University are serving as training provider institutions, while Iwate University is an institution dispatching trainees.

What are the future plans for Okayama University regarding R&D management personnel?

Okayama University plans to continue strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, promoting the advancement of fostering and utilizing R&D management personnel, and advancing flexible organizational and institutional reforms.

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