◆First Application of Newly Established 'Donation-based Co-creation Research System' Decided◆ Kansai University to Establish 'Public Innovation Research Center' ~A New Research Model for Industry-Academia Collaboration Utilizing Corporate Donations~
Kansai University will establish the 'Public Innovation Research Center' as the first application of its new donation-based system, led by economist Heizo Takenaka.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 23:00
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Kansai University has selected the "Public Innovation Research Center" to be established in the Faculty of Informatics (Takatsuki Campus) as the first application of the newly established "Donation-based Co-creation Research System" this fiscal year, and will commence research activities for three years starting April 1, 2026. Under a new research model of industry-academia collaboration utilizing corporate donations, this center will promote research that contributes to solving social issues in the public sector. The research results will be widely disseminated to society, including the business and industrial communities and local governments in the Kansai region. Economist Heizo Takenaka, a visiting professor at the university, will assume the position of representative for this co-creation research.
[Key Points of this Matter]
- Selected the "Public Innovation Research Center" as the 1st donation-based co-creation research.
- Started an industry-academia collaboration research framework with 9 researchers. Researching initiatives in other countries.
- Disseminating research findings widely to society, including the business, industrial, and municipal sectors in Kansai. Headed by Heizo Takenaka, Visiting Professor.
■ Purpose and Research Content of the Research Center
The purpose is to theorize and widely disseminate to society, through case studies from other countries, the initiatives named "Public Innovation," where the government attempts to stimulate innovation creation by influencing the activities of related private companies through policy changes or its own organizational transformation. The program will launch with a team of 9, including 6 invited professors and researchers from within the university. Research themes include: (1) Case studies and effects of PPP/PFI initiatives in other countries; (2) Case studies and effects of government procurement reform in other countries; (3) Initiatives by foreign governments that contribute to solving policy issues in the Kansai area and their expected effects.
- Institute Name: Public Innovation Research Center
- Location: Faculty of Informatics (Takatsuki Campus of the University)
- Establishment Period: April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2029 (3 years)
■ What is the Donation-based Co-creation Research System?
The "Donation-based Co-creation Research System" envisions establishing research laboratories with donations from companies, etc., at the discretion and policy of faculties, etc., and welcoming researchers from the said companies to the university. The aim is to tackle long-term themes and social issues that are difficult to develop as corporate businesses, by utilizing university resources such as knowledge, human resources, and facilities.
Reference Press Release
https://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/ja/assets/pdf/about/pr/press_release/2025/No21.pdf
▼Details of this Matter▼
Kansai University Press Release
https://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/ja/assets/pdf/abo
[Key Points of this Matter]
- Selected the "Public Innovation Research Center" as the 1st donation-based co-creation research.
- Started an industry-academia collaboration research framework with 9 researchers. Researching initiatives in other countries.
- Disseminating research findings widely to society, including the business, industrial, and municipal sectors in Kansai. Headed by Heizo Takenaka, Visiting Professor.
■ Purpose and Research Content of the Research Center
The purpose is to theorize and widely disseminate to society, through case studies from other countries, the initiatives named "Public Innovation," where the government attempts to stimulate innovation creation by influencing the activities of related private companies through policy changes or its own organizational transformation. The program will launch with a team of 9, including 6 invited professors and researchers from within the university. Research themes include: (1) Case studies and effects of PPP/PFI initiatives in other countries; (2) Case studies and effects of government procurement reform in other countries; (3) Initiatives by foreign governments that contribute to solving policy issues in the Kansai area and their expected effects.
- Institute Name: Public Innovation Research Center
- Location: Faculty of Informatics (Takatsuki Campus of the University)
- Establishment Period: April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2029 (3 years)
■ What is the Donation-based Co-creation Research System?
The "Donation-based Co-creation Research System" envisions establishing research laboratories with donations from companies, etc., at the discretion and policy of faculties, etc., and welcoming researchers from the said companies to the university. The aim is to tackle long-term themes and social issues that are difficult to develop as corporate businesses, by utilizing university resources such as knowledge, human resources, and facilities.
Reference Press Release
https://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/ja/assets/pdf/about/pr/press_release/2025/No21.pdf
▼Details of this Matter▼
Kansai University Press Release
https://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/ja/assets/pdf/abo