Okayama University Holds Diversity Lecture on 'Women's STEM Career Choices – Trends and Countermeasures' – Invites Professor Kono from Kyushu University's Gender Equality Promotion Office

April 29, 2026
National University Corporation Okayama University

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

◆ Summary

National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) held the "Diversity Lecture 2026" at the Okayama University Faculty of Engineering on March 6, 2026. Professor Ginko Kono from Kyushu University's Gender Equality Promotion Office was invited to give a lecture titled "Women's STEM Career Choices – Trends and Countermeasures," discussing gender equality in STEM education.

While the number of women active in STEM fields is increasing year by year, many still feel anxiety or lack information when choosing their career paths. This lecture aimed to share trends and backgrounds in women's STEM career choices and to provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, and university students (undergraduate and graduate) to consider future support and career development. It was co-hosted by the Faculty of Engineering, the General Technology Department, and the Diversity Promotion Headquarters of the university.

Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Takafumi Kanda, commented, "Professor Kono clearly presented the challenges and their backgrounds in career choices for junior and senior high school students based on data. While the low percentage of female students in engineering is an issue, I was once again reminded of the importance of understanding from those around them at the stage of career selection."

The university is also focusing on nurturing female STEM talent, having launched the "Women in Engineering" association in July 2025, disseminating information via Instagram, and holding a symposium in December of the same year. Professor Kono's visit to the university this time was realized through a connection with Yuri Nakamura, a Technical Specialist from the university's General Technology Department, who was responsible for managing this lecture, at the "FY2025 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Gender Equality Promotion Symposium."

Furthermore, the Faculty of Engineering of Okayama University plans to hold STEM career seminars centered around the Faculty of Engineering next fiscal year. Please look forward to future initiatives.

This matter was released on April 29, 2026.

Attendees listening to the lecture

Professor Kono of Kyushu University

Group photo (Professor Kono in the center, Dean Takahashi of the Faculty of Engineering third from left in the back row)

Poster

◆ References

・Okayama University Faculty of Engineering

　https://www.engr.okayama-u.ac.jp/

・Okayama University Diversity Promotion Headquarters

　https://okayama-u-diversity.jp/

・Kyushu University Gender Equality Promotion Office

　https://danjyo.kyushu-u.ac.jp/

◆ Related Information

・[Okayama University] Yuri Nakamura, Technical Specialist of Okayama University's General Technology Department, spoke as a presenter and panelist at the "FY2025 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Gender Equality Promotion Symposium"

　https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003775.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Okayama University Faculty of Engineering held a "Symposium to Consider Careers for Women in Engineering"

　https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003731.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Okayama University Faculty of Engineering held "Roundtable Discussion and Lab Tour for Female High School Students"

　https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002423.000072793.html

◆ Related Video

　Okayama University Faculty of Engineering (Guidance for Female High School Students)

　https://youtu.be/6Q6JvbRdiRc

◆ Related Event

[Okayama University] Diversity Research Environment Realization Initiative (Leader Development Type) Symposium – Okayama University's Current Position and Future in Supporting Female Faculty Career Development – [May 15, Friday, Online]

　https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003947.000072793.html

Okayama University Tsushima Campus (Kita-ku, Okayama City) where the Faculty of Engineering is located.

◆ Contact for this matter

　Dean, Okayama University Faculty of Engineering: Kiichi Takahashi
　Technical Specialist, Okayama University General Technology Department: Yuri Nakamura (Management)
　General Affairs, Okayama University Faculty of Engineering

　3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8530 Okayama University Tsushima Campus
　E-mail：eng.general◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
　　　　　※@ has been replaced with ◎

　https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id15151.html

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　Okayama University Hospital New Medical Research and Development Center
　2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 700-8558
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