Osaka Electro-Communication University's Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Digital Game Department Appoints Four Talents from Game and Metaverse Industries as Guest Professors
Osaka Electro-Communication University announced that in April 2026, its Digital Game Department, Faculty of Information Science and Technology, welcomed four prominent figures from the game and metaverse industries as new guest professors. This initiative aims to provide students with direct instruction from industry leaders, fostering practical skills and the ability to create the future by integrating theory and practice.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:00
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Osaka Electro-Communication University (Neyagawa City, Shijonawate City, Osaka Prefecture / President: Kuninari Shioda) announced that in April 2026, its Digital Game Department, Faculty of Information Science and Technology, welcomed four front-runners who lead the game, IT, and media industries as new guest professors.
The Digital Game Department revamped its curriculum in April 2026. Following this, Dylan Cuthbert, the creator of Japan's largest indie game event "BitSummit"; SWERY, a game director with a global cult following; Naoto Kato, who operates "cluster," one of Japan's largest metaverse platforms; and Noriko Hashiya, who has been active on the front lines of media, have taken up their positions. Through direct instruction from industry top leaders, students will be taught the "power to create the future" by integrating theory and practice.
[Key Points of this Announcement]
■ Passing on World-Standard "Game Creation": Legends of the Indie Game World Join
Dylan Cuthbert, who was involved in the development of the globally famous game "Starfox" with Nintendo, and SWERY, who captivates the world with his unique artistic style, will impart their know-how in creative game production. They will teach not only technology but also the essence of "fun."
■ Deepening Metaverse and VR Education: Collaboration with "cluster," Japan's Largest Platform
In collaboration with Cluster Inc., a new form of learning utilizing metaverse spaces will be jointly developed. Students will cultivate skills to implement virtual spaces in society.
■ Polishing "Communication Skills": Media Instruction by a Caster with 30 Years of Experience
Freelance announcer Noriko Hashiya will instruct on communication skills essential for creators. Students will develop the "power to convey" their ideas, verbalize them, and disseminate them to society.
■ Learning True "Entrepreneurship": Students will directly learn the mindset of creating value from scratch from faculty members who have shaped their "passion" into businesses and pioneered industries.
[Guest Professor Profiles]
Dylan Cuthbert, Guest Professor / CEO & Founder, Q-Games Ltd.
Born in the UK. Joined Nintendo under contract. Involved in the development of "X" for Game Boy and "Starfox" for Super Famicom. Established Q-Games Ltd. in September 2001.
Dylan Cuthbert
SWERY (Hidetaka Suehiro), Guest Professor / President & CEO, White Owls Inc.
A veteran game director active in the game industry since 1996. Known for representative works such as "Deadly Premonition" (2010) and "THE MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories" (2018).
SWERY (Hidetaka Suehiro)
Naoto Kato, Guest Professor / Representative Director & CEO, Cluster Inc.
Founded Cluster Inc. in 2015 and released the metaverse platform "cluster" in 2017. Selected as one of "30 Japanese Under 30 Who Will Change the World" by Forbes JAPAN in 2018. Also selected in the TOP 20 of "Japan's Entrepreneurs Ranking" for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023.
Naoto Kato
Noriko Hashiya, Guest Professor / Freelance Announcer, Book Cafe Owner
As a freelance announcer, she served as a caster for programs such as "News Station" and "Sunday Morning" for over 30 years. She also has extensive educational experience at universities.
Noriko Hashiya
[Related Links]
Digital Game Department Special Site
https://www.osakac.ac.jp/special/dg/
"BitSummit Special Lecture" and Freshman Welcome Party Held
https://www.osakac.ac.jp/project_now/1684
[University Overview]
University Name: Osaka Electro-Communication University (President: Kuninari Shioda)
URL: https://www.osakac.ac.jp/
Locations: Neyagawa Campus 18-8 Hatsu-cho, Neyagawa City, Osaka 572-8530
Shijonawate Campus 1130-70 Kiyotaki, Shijonawate City, Osaka 575-0063
Faculties: Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Information and Communication Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Faculty of Health Information, Faculty of Information Science and Technology
*The Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, will be renamed to Applied Chemistry in April 2027.
Enrollment: 5,624 students (as of May 1, 2026)
The Digital Game Department revamped its curriculum in April 2026. Following this, Dylan Cuthbert, the creator of Japan's largest indie game event "BitSummit"; SWERY, a game director with a global cult following; Naoto Kato, who operates "cluster," one of Japan's largest metaverse platforms; and Noriko Hashiya, who has been active on the front lines of media, have taken up their positions. Through direct instruction from industry top leaders, students will be taught the "power to create the future" by integrating theory and practice.
[Key Points of this Announcement]
■ Passing on World-Standard "Game Creation": Legends of the Indie Game World Join
Dylan Cuthbert, who was involved in the development of the globally famous game "Starfox" with Nintendo, and SWERY, who captivates the world with his unique artistic style, will impart their know-how in creative game production. They will teach not only technology but also the essence of "fun."
■ Deepening Metaverse and VR Education: Collaboration with "cluster," Japan's Largest Platform
In collaboration with Cluster Inc., a new form of learning utilizing metaverse spaces will be jointly developed. Students will cultivate skills to implement virtual spaces in society.
■ Polishing "Communication Skills": Media Instruction by a Caster with 30 Years of Experience
Freelance announcer Noriko Hashiya will instruct on communication skills essential for creators. Students will develop the "power to convey" their ideas, verbalize them, and disseminate them to society.
■ Learning True "Entrepreneurship": Students will directly learn the mindset of creating value from scratch from faculty members who have shaped their "passion" into businesses and pioneered industries.
[Guest Professor Profiles]
Dylan Cuthbert, Guest Professor / CEO & Founder, Q-Games Ltd.
Born in the UK. Joined Nintendo under contract. Involved in the development of "X" for Game Boy and "Starfox" for Super Famicom. Established Q-Games Ltd. in September 2001.
Dylan Cuthbert
SWERY (Hidetaka Suehiro), Guest Professor / President & CEO, White Owls Inc.
A veteran game director active in the game industry since 1996. Known for representative works such as "Deadly Premonition" (2010) and "THE MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories" (2018).
SWERY (Hidetaka Suehiro)
Naoto Kato, Guest Professor / Representative Director & CEO, Cluster Inc.
Founded Cluster Inc. in 2015 and released the metaverse platform "cluster" in 2017. Selected as one of "30 Japanese Under 30 Who Will Change the World" by Forbes JAPAN in 2018. Also selected in the TOP 20 of "Japan's Entrepreneurs Ranking" for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023.
Naoto Kato
Noriko Hashiya, Guest Professor / Freelance Announcer, Book Cafe Owner
As a freelance announcer, she served as a caster for programs such as "News Station" and "Sunday Morning" for over 30 years. She also has extensive educational experience at universities.
Noriko Hashiya
[Related Links]
Digital Game Department Special Site
https://www.osakac.ac.jp/special/dg/
"BitSummit Special Lecture" and Freshman Welcome Party Held
https://www.osakac.ac.jp/project_now/1684
[University Overview]
University Name: Osaka Electro-Communication University (President: Kuninari Shioda)
URL: https://www.osakac.ac.jp/
Locations: Neyagawa Campus 18-8 Hatsu-cho, Neyagawa City, Osaka 572-8530
Shijonawate Campus 1130-70 Kiyotaki, Shijonawate City, Osaka 575-0063
Faculties: Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Information and Communication Engineering, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Faculty of Health Information, Faculty of Information Science and Technology
*The Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, will be renamed to Applied Chemistry in April 2027.
Enrollment: 5,624 students (as of May 1, 2026)