◆First Application of the Newly Established "Donation-based Co-creation Research System" Decided◆ Kansai University to Establish the "Public Innovation Research Center" ~A New Research Model of Industry-Academia Collaboration Utilizing Corporate Donations~

As the first application of the "Donation-based Co-creation Research System" established this academic year, Kansai University will set up the "Public Innovation Research Center" at the Faculty of Informatics (Takatsuki Campus) and commence research activities over a three-year period starting April 1, 2026. Under a new research model of industry-academia collaboration utilizing corporate donations, this center will promote research contributing to the resolution of social issues in the public sector. The research outcomes will be broadly disseminated to society, including the business and industrial sectors, as well as local governments in the Kansai region. Economist Heizo Takenaka, a visiting professor at the university, will assume the position of representative for the co-creation research.

[Key Points of this Matter] - The "Public Innovation Research Center" was selected as the first donation-based co-creation research project. - The industry-academia collaborative research framework will be launched with nine researchers. They will study case examples of initiatives in other countries, among other topics. - Research results will be disseminated widely to society, including the business circles, industries, and municipalities of the Kansai region. Heizo Takenaka, a visiting professor at the university, serves as the representative.

Purpose and Research Content of the Research Center The center aims to conceptualize "public innovation"—initiatives where the government seeks to foster innovation creation by influencing the activities of related private companies through policy changes and its own organizational reforms—by theorizing from case studies in various foreign countries and sharing these widely with society. The center will launch with a nine-member team, combining six invited professors and internal university researchers. Research themes include: (1) Case studies and effects of PPP/PFI initiatives in foreign countries; (2) Case studies and effects of government procurement reform in foreign countries; (3) Case studies of foreign government initiatives contributing to the resolution of policy issues in the Kansai area and their anticipated effects, etc. - Institute Name: Public Innovation Research Center - Location: Faculty of Informatics (Kansai University Takatsuki Campus) - Establishment Period: April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029 (3 years)

What is the Donation-based Co-creation Research System? The "Donation-based Co-creation Research System" is designed to establish research laboratories using donations from companies and other entities based on the discretion and policies of faculties, and it also envisions welcoming researchers from the donating companies to the university. Its purpose is to address long-term themes and social issues that are difficult to develop as corporate business projects, by utilizing the university's resources such as expertise, 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/about/pr/press_release/2026/No3.pdf

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