March 29, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆ Overview

The Faculty of Education at National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Kono) conducted the overseas training program "International Challenge," centered on ESD (Education for Sustainable Development), in Makassar City, Indonesia, for 11 days from February 13 to 23, 2026. This is the second consecutive year the Faculty of Education has implemented this program in Indonesia.

This program was carried out as part of the "Support Project for Creating Social Impact through University Internationalization" promoted by the university, with the major pillar being the cultivation of "Well-being Practitioners Co-creating the Future of Communities and the Globe" through an integrated engagement strategy. It is also linked with the "Inter-city Collaboration Project for Promoting Carbon Neutrality" promoted by Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, and Makassar City, Indonesia. The initiative has evolved beyond university exchanges centered on regional education programs between Hasanuddin University and Okayama University, developing into international collaboration based on inter-city partnerships.

The training consisted of three stages: "Domestic Pre-learning (Maniwa City)," "On-site Activities (Makassar City)," and "Post-program Reflection." During the pre-learning phase, students visited Maniwa City, which collaborates with Makassar City, and learned about advanced examples of biomass power generation and the conversion of organic waste into electricity and liquid fertilizer through methane, as well as initiatives for a circular economy that utilize waste separation and resource recycling. The students approached the activities in Indonesia with the understanding that these initiatives represent a model for solving environmental issues through community-based resource recycling.

In Indonesia, 10 students from Okayama University participated, along with 10 students from Hasanuddin University and 10 students from Makassar State University. A total of 30 students formed mixed teams and engaged in practical activities focused on waste issues, such as fieldwork in landfill sites and slum areas, creating waste separation card games, and conducting outreach classes at local elementary schools, with Japanese and local students collaborating. Additionally, they co-created compost for biodegrading food waste, generating social impact by engaging with the local community through practical learning.

Furthermore, through homestays, students directly experienced local life and culture, deepening their multicultural co-learning in daily life. Through dialogue and collaboration with diverse individuals, students encountered various values and explored solutions to social issues from a global perspective.

After returning to Japan, students reflected on their experiences abroad and verbalized and shared their learning. The Faculty of Education will continue to provide broad and continuous opportunities for multicultural co-learning and promote students' international learning and social practice under the vision of "Toward 2035.".

This information was released by Okayama University on March 18, 2026.

Student presentations at the "Inter-city Collaboration Project for Promoting Carbon Neutrality" symposium

Okayama University Faculty of Education students conducting a lesson on waste separation at a local elementary school

Fieldwork in landfill sites and slum areas

Commemorative photo after the exchange meeting at Hasanuddin University

◆ Reference

・Hasanuddin University

https://www.unhas.ac.id/

・Okayama University Graduate School of Education / Faculty of Education

https://edu.okayama-u.ac.jp/

・Project for Promoting Overseas Network for Study in Japan (Southeast Asia) (Okayama University) https://studyinjapan-asean.jp/

・[Okayama University] Commissioned by MEXT for the "Project for Strengthening Overseas Network Functions for Promoting Study in Japan"

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002113.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Regarding Okayama University's ASEAN Strategy

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001821.000072793.html

◆ Reference Information

・[Okayama University] President Yasutomo Kono and others attended the 6th ASEAN + 3 Presidents Meeting

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001708.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Establishment of Okayama University International Alumni Association Indonesia Sulawesi Branch

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003258.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Okayama University International Alumni Association Indonesia Branch and East Java Branch Hold Opinion Exchange with President Yasutomo Kono

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001714.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Delegation from Indonesian State University of Surabaya Visits Okayama University

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002344.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Professor Delegation from Indonesian Institute of Technology Surabaya Visits Okayama University

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001908.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Establishment of Surabaya Office for the Project for Strengthening Overseas Network Functions for Promoting Study in Japan in Surabaya, Indonesia

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002591.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Establishment of Jakarta Office for the Project for Strengthening Overseas Network Functions for Promoting Study in Japan in Jakarta, Indonesia

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002599.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Vice President and Dean of Medical Faculty of Hasanuddin University, Indonesia, Pay a Courtesy Visit to Okayama University

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003005.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Okayama University Booth a Great Success at Study in Japan Fair in Jakarta, Indonesia - Local Students Say "I Want to Study Here!"

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003699.000072793.html ・[Okayama University] Vice President and Dean of Medical Faculty of Hasanuddin University, Indonesia, Pay a Courtesy Visit to Okayama University

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003005.000072793.html

Tsushima Campus, Okayama University (Kita-ku, Okayama City)

◆ Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Yuichi Hara, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, Academic Research Cluster, Okayama University

3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530, Japan, Tsushima Campus, Okayama University E-mail: yuichi◎okayama-u.ac.jp (Please replace ◎ with @) https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id15183.html

＜Regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital, etc. (for pharmaceutical and medical device company representatives)＞ New Medical Research and Development Center, Okayama University Hospital 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8558, Japan Please inquire about relevant matters via the URL below. http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/ph_company/

＜Regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital, etc. (for medical professionals and researchers)＞ Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Office, Research Promotion Division, Okayama University Hospital 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8558, Japan TEL: 086-235-7983 E-mail: ouh-csnw◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp (Please replace ◎ with @) http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/medical/

＜Contact for inquiries regarding industry-academia collaboration, etc. at Okayama University＞ Office for Industry-Academia Collaboration, Organization for Research and Innovation Co-creation, Okayama University 1st Floor, Main Building, Tsushima Campus, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530, Japan TEL: 086-251-8463 E-mail: sangaku◎okayama-u.ac.jp (Please replace ◎ with @) https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

＜Contact for inquiries regarding shared research equipment (core facilities), etc. at Okayama University＞ Task Force for Promotion of System and Development of Shared Research Equipment at Okayama University (Abbreviation: Team Kyoyo) 1st Floor, Main Building, Tsushima Campus, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530, Japan TEL: 086-251-8705 FAX: 086-251-7114 E-mail: cfp◎okayama-u.ac.jp (Please replace ◎ with @) https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/

＜Contact for inquiries regarding startups and ventures at Okayama University＞

Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters, Organization for Research and Innovation Co-creation, Okayama University

1st Floor, Main Building, Tsushima Campus, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530, Japan E-mail: start-up1◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp (Please replace ◎ with @)

https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Okayama University Media "OTD" (App): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000011.000072793.html Okayama University Media "OTD" (Web): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000215.000072793.html

Okayama University Original Goods Online Shop: https://okadaigoods.official.ec/

Okayama University Integrated Report 2025: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003715.000072793.html Okayama University SDGs Website: https://sdgs.okayama-u.ac.jp/ Okayama University SDGs ~Thinking about the Sustainability of Local Communities~ (YouTube): https://youtu.be/Qdqjy4mw4ik Okayama University Image Movie (YouTube): https://youtu.be/pKMHm4XJLtw

Okayama University Regional Core and Characteristic Research University Enhancement Promotion Project (J-PEAKS): https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Industry-Academia Co-creation Activity "Okayama University Open Innovation Challenge" Seeking Co-creation Partners for January 2026: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003714.000072793.html

Cost-effective Research Equipment Rental/Lease "SX Platform" with No Installation, Maintenance, Repair, or Removal Costs

https://sxplatform.jp/

National University Corporation Okayama University supports the United Nations' "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" and received a Special Award at the first "Japan SDGs Award." Please look forward to Okayama University's co-education and co-creation as a regional core and characteristic research university.

・ Okayama University Selected for MEXT's "Project for Strengthening Regional Core and Characteristic Research Universities (J-PEAKS)" ~ Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university that co-creates the future of communities and the globe and becomes a core of global innovation, while building a mountain range of research universities that Japan can be proud of ~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001935.000072793.html

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