Panasonic x KOSEN Comprehensive Partnership Agreement Activity Report (Q1 FY2026)

The National Institute of Technology (KOSEN) (hereinafter referred to as KOSEN Organization) and Panasonic Holdings Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Panasonic Group) report on the activities of this project for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, based on the comprehensive partnership agreement concluded on November 5, 2025.

Q1 Activities

Aiming to advance manufacturing human resource education, we are promoting concretization through the following initiatives, positioning faculty and student programs as key areas.

1. Faculty Programs

On April 22, 2026, a discussion was held between Principal Kobayashi of Ichinoseki KOSEN, Principal Tokai of Niihama KOSEN, and working group members (hereinafter referred to as WG members) for this project, with the aim of aligning mutual understanding and discussing directions for training and curriculum development. Discussions focused on the program's target outcomes (ideal state) and key themes.

On May 27, 2026, Principal Ezaki of Nara KOSEN, one of the pilot schools, visited the Panasonic Monozukuri Training Center (Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture). Discussions with WG members focused on specific measures for demonstration at Nara KOSEN. Nara KOSEN will proceed with demonstrations and program development.

In addition, we aim to deepen a self-sustaining cooperative relationship by establishing points of contact through mutual visits and opinion exchanges between faculty members of each KOSEN and employees of the Panasonic Group at each KOSEN and Panasonic Group location. Currently, KOSEN faculty members have visited Panasonic Group locations in three areas to begin exchanging opinions (Nara KOSEN - Nara location, Tsuyama KOSEN - Tsuyama location, Tokuyama KOSEN - Yamaguchi location).

Discussion with Principals of Ichinoseki and Niihama KOSEN

2. Student Programs

In June 2026, a career education program for students was conducted by Panasonic Group employees at Kagawa KOSEN.

In addition, for the student career education program, implementation has been decided at one school (excluding Kagawa KOSEN mentioned above), and factory tours of Panasonic Group factories have been decided at four schools.

Furthermore, the "Summer School 2026" for the COMPASS 5.0 project (※) conducted by the KOSEN Organization will be held at the Panasonic Monozukuri Training Center. On March 26, 2026, KOSEN faculty members involved in the operation of Summer School 2026 visited the facility, inspected it, and discussed the program's themes and content.

Monozukuri Training Center Tour (Summer School 2026)

Career Education for Students

Future Plans

1. Faculty Programs

Demonstrations will begin at Nara KOSEN to build training and content. In parallel, discussions will be held with Anan KOSEN (Tokushima Prefecture), another pilot school, to initiate deployment and demonstrations.

2. Student Programs

Panasonic Group factory tours will commence. In addition to implementing career education programs, adjustments will be made for implementation at other schools.

In addition, on September 3 and 4, 2026, "COMPASS 5.0 Summer School 2026" will be held at the Panasonic Monozukuri Training Center. With the theme "Accelerating GREEN Pulse with DX - Connecting through Energy Across Fields and Departments -", the event aims to improve knowledge and skills related to technologies in the fields of physical AI, cybersecurity, robotics, semiconductors, batteries, and renewable energy through two days of lectures and exercises. Lecturers from companies, organizations, and educational institutions involved in each field will gather.

※ COMPASS 5.0 Project (Curriculum Development for Next-Generation Foundational Technologies Education)

A program from the "Society 5.0 Type Future Technology Human Resource Development Project" that leads future technologies realized by Society 5.0. It positions six fields - physical AI, cybersecurity, robotics, semiconductors, batteries, and renewable energy (wind power) - as a compass for the advancement of future technologies. In collaboration with industry and government agencies, it is a project that promotes the specialization and advancement of KOSEN education by packaging education that reflects the latest industry trends (curriculum design, teaching material development, educational practice, faculty FD, learning outcome assessment, etc.).

【National Institute of Technology (KOSEN)】

As higher education institutions that accept graduates from junior high schools and provide five-year integrated engineer education, their curriculum emphasizes experiments and practical training from an early stage, enabling graduates to acquire knowledge and skills equivalent to or exceeding those of university graduates by the age of 20. Their unique educational methods and practical, creative human resource development are highly regarded by industry and other sectors, producing highly skilled engineers with flexibility, creativity, and initiative based on advanced practical and on-site skills. To respond to the rapid advancement of science and technology and the significant changes in the global social environment and industrial structure, they strive to develop human resources with the "ability to change" who can grow by looking ahead to the future as the bearers of the new era. Through their education, they aim to foster "Social Doctors" who can solve social issues and realize social practice, leading the creation of a bright future society.

https://www.kosen-k.go.jp/

【Panasonic Group】

Since its founding in 1918, the Panasonic Group has been a global company providing innovative technologies and solutions in a wide range of fields, including electronic devices, housing-related equipment, devices, B2B solutions, and energy.

【Panasonic Group's Human Capital Management】

With the philosophy of "cultivating people before creating things," the Panasonic Group places human resource development at the core of its corporate activities. Currently, the group is pursuing initiatives aimed at enabling each employee to "unlock" their potential and continuously challenge themselves while maximizing their abilities and hidden strengths.

In this agreement with KOSEN Organization, this concept is applied to education, aiming to foster students' ability to draw out their own strengths through their studies at KOSEN and to develop skills that will enable them to play an active role in various aspects of society in the future.

For more details on the Panasonic Group's human capital management initiatives, please see below.

https://holdings.panasonic.com/jp/corporate/sustainability/human-capital-management.html

<Related Information>

・[Press Release] National Institute of Technology (KOSEN) and Panasonic Group Sign Comprehensive Partnership Agreement for Next-Generation Manufacturing Human Resource Development (November 5, 2025)

https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/jn251105-1