NTT Data Global Solutions and Kyutech ARISE Begin Industry-Academia Collaboration to Build a Circular Human Resource Development Ecosystem

NTT Data Global Solutions Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Chiharu Kimura; hereinafter NTT Data GSL) will enter into a partnering agreement with Kyutech ARISE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Iizuka City, Fukuoka; Representative Director and President Executive Officer: Shojiro Mine; hereinafter Kyutech ARISE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of National University Corporation Kyushu Institute of Technology, starting from April 2026. This agreement aims to develop industry-academia collaboration for human resource development and startup support across Japan and the Asian region, primarily in the Kyushu region. They will jointly build a sustainable human resource development ecosystem that fosters a cycle of “learning → practice → regional contribution,” where individuals learn and practice in the region, thereby enhancing Japan's competitiveness from the region. This initiative addresses the critical and worsening social issue of IT infrastructure talent shortages, particularly including SAP, within the IT sector.

【Background】

Japan is facing a severe shortage of IT talent, with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimating a deficit of up to approximately 790,000 people by 2030 (Note 1). The impact of talent maldistribution is particularly significant in regional areas, with the Kyushu-Okinawa region seeing a record high in software industry bankruptcies, directly affecting business continuity. Furthermore, a Teikoku Databank survey indicates that 51.4% of companies nationwide and 69.9% of information service companies feel a shortage of regular employees (Note 2), further widening the supply-demand gap. Against this backdrop, there is a growing need for universities and companies to collaborate in connecting practical learning with employment. Kyutech ARISE, as the first wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyushu Institute of Technology, is responsible for reskilling and employment support, while NTT Data GSL possesses training expertise cultivated through its in-house corporate university “GSL University” and SAP education. The collaboration between these two entities establishes a foundation to accelerate regional talent circulation.

【Overview】

The purpose of this agreement is to build a human resource development ecosystem where learning, practice, and regional contribution continuously circulate, with universities and companies collaborating, starting from Kyushu. Students and working professionals who learn in the region will apply their knowledge in practice, contributing to the revitalization of the Kyushu region and further strengthening Japan's overall competitiveness, thereby aiming to continuously circulate the human resource development mechanism. Kyutech ARISE's DX, AI, and advanced software education programs will be integrated with NTT Data GSL's practical knowledge and SAP training system, providing a learning environment that combines university expertise with corporate practical knowledge.

Furthermore, the initiative will promote startup support for students and working professionals, as well as demonstration projects with regional companies and local governments, establishing a mechanism to implement learning outcomes in the region. The target areas will expand from Kyushu to nationwide and Asia, aiming to alleviate talent maldistribution and business continuity risks, and boost industrial competitiveness by establishing a circular model where talent is nurtured and continues to thrive within the region.

This collaboration will pursue activities aligned with the following objectives:

1. Contribution to Regional Human Resource Development and Social Value Creation
To address the IT talent shortage in the Kyushu region, NTT Data GSL will focus on SAP talent development, leveraging its expertise. By cooperating with universities to improve the quality of education and revitalize regional industries, the initiative aims to correct the overconcentration of talent supply in Tokyo, promote digital utilization to expand the SAP market, and ultimately solve social issues such as boosting the competitiveness of companies across Japan from Kyushu.

2.Establishment of a Joint Research Foundation for Industry-Academia Value Creation
We will consider promoting joint research that connects cutting-edge knowledge from universities with real-world corporate challenges, leveraging each other's strengths. By collaborating with universities on technical and operational themes that are difficult to solve internally, we believe we can enhance the speed and quality of problem-solving. Furthermore, through research activities and collaboration with students, we aim to identify seeds for new businesses and innovation at an early stage, leading to new value creation for the company.

【Comments from Each Company】

Mr. Shojiro Mine, Representative Director and President Executive Officer, Kyutech ARISE Co., Ltd.
“Kyutech ARISE is a human resource development platform that drives social change by returning the technical knowledge and educational resources of Kyushu Institute of Technology to society. We believe this collaboration is a new form of industry-academia partnership that integrates the specialized knowledge of the university with the rich expertise of NTT Data Global Solutions, advancing human resource development from training to practice and regional value contribution. Based in Kyushu, we will work to build a sustainable human resource development ecosystem by fostering the next generation of talent and creating an environment where they can continuously challenge themselves to solve corporate and societal issues.”

Mr. Takuo Yasunaga, President, National University Corporation Kyushu Institute of Technology

“Kyushu Institute of Technology is committed to designing education, research, and social implementation as an integrated whole, realizing an ecosystem where society and knowledge circulate, and creating a campus where diverse people learn together. We believe this collaboration will contribute to building a new human resource development model that connects the specialized knowledge of the university with the practical knowledge of companies, creating a cycle of learning and practice. We expect this partnership to expand the foundation for sustainable human resource development and serve as an impetus for continuous creation of new value from the region.”

Mr. Chiharu Kimura, President and CEO, NTT Data Global Solutions Corporation
“Kyushu is a vital region driving Japan's growth. Through this collaboration, by integrating the deep specialized knowledge of Kyutech ARISE and Kyushu Institute of Technology with the practical knowledge we at NTT Data GSL have cultivated, we will realize a sustainable human resource circulation model of 'learning → practice → regional contribution.' By nurturing highly skilled IT talent rooted in the region and returning their capabilities to regional industries, we will further accelerate efforts to boost Japan's overall competitiveness from Kyushu.”

【Future Plans】

In the first half of fiscal year 2026, a joint curriculum combining the essence of NTT Data GSL's SAP education and GSL University's public lectures will be launched as part of Kyutech ARISE's core subjects. Specifically, the first phase will include “ERPsim,” a management simulation game using actual SAP S/4HANA to experience management decisions, data analysis, and business execution, and “Business Builders,” which focuses on data analysis and storytelling based on SAP Analytics Cloud.

Furthermore, the knowledge gained from collaborative lectures at Kindai University and Shiga University will be expanded to universities and local governments within the Kyushu region, aiming to enhance joint research and problem-solving practical training. In the future, these activities will be further developed, and the possibility of similar human resource development in the Asian region will be explored.

【What is GSL University?】

GSL University is an in-house corporate university that supports the growth of NTT Data GSL as an organization towards its desired future. Its purpose is to support the improvement of individual and organizational value, and to support the maintenance and expansion of the organization for organizational growth.

GSL University | Recruitment Information | NTT Data Global Solutions

【About NTT Data Global Solutions】

NTT Data GSL was established in July 2012 to meet the growing demand for globalized systems accompanying the global expansion of Japanese companies. In conjunction with NTT DATA's global SAP system, it has integrated SAP solutions and operational know-how that were dispersed among domestic group companies, providing a wide range of services from SAP ERP system implementation to maintenance, operation, and extended development support in a one-stop manner. As a core company for NTT DATA's SAP business, it supports companies' strategic business management.

It is an SAP partner company that has been awarded the “SAP Appreciation for Partner Excellence” every year since 2013, an award given to companies highly recognized for their contribution to SAP business and customer satisfaction.

(Note 1) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, “Survey on IT Human Resource Supply and Demand”

(Note 2) Teikoku Databank, “Kyushu: Survey on Corporate Trends Regarding Labor Shortages (April 2025)”

*SAP, SAP logo, and all SAP product and service names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries worldwide. Other product and service names may be trademarks of their respective companies.

*Other company names and service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.