[Okayama University] Held the 'Seminar on Thinking About Science and Engineering Career Paths in Okayama 2026'

June 13, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University

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

◆ Summary

Okayama University (Main Campus: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu), centered on the Faculty of Engineering, held the "Seminar on Thinking About Science and Engineering Career Paths in Okayama 2026" on June 6, 2026, for high school students and their parents. On the day, 32 participants, primarily high school students, attended the event. This seminar was co-organized for the first time in Okayama Prefecture with the Non-Profit Organization Girls' Science and Engineering Career Path Project (GSTEM-CPP). Under the theme of "Science careers are not limited to one path; we want to show you the choices you have," Okayama University highlighted the wide range of academic options available as a comprehensive university.

The seminar featured lectures by professors from the Faculty of Economics, the Faculty of Agriculture, and the Faculty of Science, as well as presentations on career and life paths by university graduates currently working in well-known companies within Okayama Prefecture. In addition, the participants joined chemistry experiments at the Faculty of Engineering and participated in a workshop facilitated by GSTEM-CPP to visualize their future careers.

Special programs were also provided for guardians, offering information and individual consultations to help them support their children's career decisions. The event's operations were supported by undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff from the Faculty of Engineering (including the Engineering Women's Association, #KogakuJoshikai) and the Faculty of Agriculture.

One student participant, Akira Tokuhata (a third-year student at Okayama Ichinomiya High School), commented: "Through conversations with professors and senior students, as well as the practical workshops, I realized the wonderful relationship between professors and students and the high academic standards. It was a very productive experience." Yuko Ota, a guardian who attended, noted: "I was impressed to see graduates flexibly building their careers at different life stages. Knowing that children can find their own directions while learning gave me peace of mind as a parent."

We hope this seminar served as an opportunity for the participating high school students and guardians to think about career paths that suit them. Okayama University will continue to provide opportunities for high school students to learn more about the appeal and education of our university.

Please look forward to the ongoing initiatives of Okayama University and its Faculty of Engineering, as an open, regional-core, and distinctive research university.

Participants listening to the lecture on experiments

Scenes of the chemistry experiment (Let's experience chemistry)

Participants verbalizing their dreams and guardians observing (Let's convey our dreams to everyone)

Commemorative photo with completion certificates after the program

◆ References

・Okayama University Faculty of Engineering

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

・Non-Profit Organization Girls' Science and Engineering Career Path Project (GSTEM-CPP)

https://gstem-cpp.or.jp/

◆ Reference Information

・First Look: What is the Okayama University Faculty of Engineering?

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

・[Okayama University] Held the Symposium on Thinking About Careers for Women in Engineering (Okayama University Faculty of Engineering)

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

・[Okayama University] Held a Discussion and Laboratory Tour for Female High School Students (Okayama University Faculty of Engineering)

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

・[Okayama University] Held a Diversity Lecture on Girls' Science Career Paths: Trends and Countermeasures (Invited Professor Kono from Kyushu University Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003949.000072793.html

◆ Reference Video

Okayama University Faculty of Engineering (Introduction to the Faculty of Engineering for High School Girls)

https://youtu.be/6Q6JvbRdiRc

◆ Reference Events

・[Okayama University] Okayama University Faculty of Engineering Laboratory Tour [June 27, Sat]

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000004058.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] FY2026 Okayama University Faculty of Engineering Online Career Consultation

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000004023.000072793.html

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

◆ Inquiry Contact

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University: Norikazu Takahashi General Technology Department, Okayama University: Yuri Nakamura (Certified Manager of Research and Development, Okayama University) 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 700-8530, Japan (Tsushima Campus)

TEL: +81-86-251-8263

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