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【Report】The 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum

The National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum is held as a place to exchange information on the initiatives and research results of each university consortium, with the aim of contributing to the development of higher education, and this year marks its 22nd anniversary.

The forum, held on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31, 2025, was held for the first time in Hyogo Prefecture with the main theme of “Toward the development of new human resources who will open up a radically changing future society: Inter-university collaboration and industry-government-academia collaboration that thinks in an unchanging way.”
A total of 373 participants gathered at the Kobe Gakuin University Port Island 1 Campus from all over the country, including university faculty and staff, university consortium officials, and government and corporate officials.

▼ Venue: Kobe Gakuin University Port Island Campus 1　

[Saturday, August 30]

▼Opening Remarks

University Consortium Hyogo Kobe

Chairman Yasutoshi Mori (President, Kwansei Gakuin University)

▼Student Stage

(Myanmar Dance)

▼Student Stage

(Erhu performance)

▼Student Stage

(Quran chanting)

 

At the symposium, presentations were made by the speakers on the theme of “Inter-University Collaboration and Regional Co-Creation ~The Possibility of Consortia in the Period of Social Change~”, followed by lively discussions.

≪ Symposium≫
Toshiya Yoshimi (Professor, Faculty of Tourism and Community Planning, Kokugakuin University, Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo)
Koji Okada (President CEO, Japan Technology Solution Co., Ltd.)
Masumi Shimafuji (Representative Director, X-R John Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Masaaki Honjo (General Manager, Office Department, Student Activity Support Organization, Kwansei Gakuin University)

≪ moderator≫
Atsushi Hamana (Director, University Consortium Hyogo Kobe, President, Kansai International University)

▼ Symposium　

 

In addition, active exchanges between participants were seen at the poster session exhibited by 11 university consortiums, panel exhibitions at 23 booths at 15 university consortium Hyogo Kobe member schools, and information exchange meetings.

▼ Poster session and panel exhibition　

　　　

▼ Information exchange meeting　

 

[August 31 (Sun)]

On the second day of the forum, subcommittees were held for each of the three themes: “International Students,” “Recurrent Education,” and “Support for Disaster-stricken Areas by Young People.” In each subcommittee, in addition to reporting on practical cases related to the theme, participants and reporters actively exchanged opinions and shared information.

1st Subcommittee> University Consortium Kyoto
“Promoting the Attraction of International Students in All Industries, Academia, and Government in Kyoto -Toward the Retention of International Students-“

2nd Subcommittee> Higher Education Consortium Miyazaki
“The Future of Recurrent Education through Co-creation
-How to build a place where we can learn together and create a community together-“

3rd Subcommittee> University Consortium Hyogo Kobe
[TKK3 University Collaboration Project 15th Year Project] 30 Years Since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
“Thinking as a young person: the power of supporting disaster-stricken areas and passing on the story”

▼ 1st Session
(University Consortium Kyoto) 		▼ Session 2
(Higher Education Consortium Miyazaki)
▼ Session 3
(University Consortium Hyogo Kobe)

 

Through the symposium and case reports and exchange of opinions at the subcommittees at this forum, it was a place to rethink the role that university consortiums should play.

Thank you very much for your participation.

The next 23rd Forum will be held in Hiroshima City in collaboration with Education Network China.

The event will be held for two days, September 10 (Thursday) and 11 (Friday), 2026, and the venue is scheduled to be Hiroshima Institute of Technology Itsukaichi Campus.

Details will be announced on the website of the University Consortium Kyoto as soon as they are decided.

We look forward to your participation.

 

◆Click here for more information about the National Association of University Consortiums.

Reiwa 7 School Town Collaboration Project Connecting Students and Communities Initiative Introduction

Reiwa 7 Introducing the efforts of the school town collaboration project that connects students and the community.

The “Gakumachi Collaboration Project” is a “Gakumachi Collaboration Project” in which universities, students, and the community “collaborate” to solicit projects and projects that work on urban development and regional revitalization in Kyoto, and provide subsidy support.
We will inform you of the efforts of this year’s adopted organizations! !

 

【Activity Introduction】Ritsumeikan University “Kinugasa Farm Kreis”
On Wednesday, August 20th, the “Kreis Community Cafeteria” was held at Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Campus, and I visited it!

In 2020, “Kinugasa Farm Kreis” was launched in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and is a student organization that grows vegetables in collaboration with the local community. Approximately 70 students are taking the lead in activities that are conscious of local production, local exchange, and SDGs, starting with making mulch from fallen leaves with local people and delivering the harvested vegetables to school cafeterias and the community.

At the “Kreis Community Cafeteria”, which was held for the first time, 20 students and 15 local people participated in the curry using vegetables they grew themselves.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　”Because it is an area where there are many elderly people and children who eat alone, we wanted to create a warm table where everyone can gather around,” says the representative, Marin Shinohara.

As for public relations activities, posters were distributed to neighboring districts and bulletin boards set up in front of the farm were used. Since the farm is located on a walking course in front of Tochi-in, it naturally caught the attention of local people and became an opportunity to visit.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　The most difficult part of preparing for the event was not being able to read the harvest of vegetables. He said he was worried because he didn’t know which age group would come, but he was relieved that many people actually came to visit.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　In addition, in the past, when the university cafeteria closed during the summer vacation, it was difficult to find a supplier of the harvested vegetables, but it was a great achievement that we were able to utilize many summer vegetables through this event.

Regarding the future, Mr. Shinohara said, “I would be happy if you could come to the farm and have the opportunity to actually have fun talking with the students, and I hope that the fun of farming and awareness of SDGs will naturally spread through this activity.”

Finally, we who visited for the interview also feasted on freshly picked vegetable curry. A dish filled with the taste of fresh vegetables and the desire for activities. It was very delicious.

Thank you for the meal!

Please check the activity status at ↓.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　https://www.instagram.com/kinugasanoen__kreis/

 

 


【Now Accepting】Tips for promoting support for international students seen in the case of Osaka University!　”Seminar on Sharing Case Studies”

“I want to know about the internationalization efforts of other universities.”
“We need to promote support for international students, but there is no hint of what to do.”
“I would like to know practical examples of international student support, such as life counseling and employment support for science and graduate students.”
“I want to connect with international student support staff at other universities.”

This is a seminar that is especially recommended for such people.

~From Yorozu Consultation to Career Support~ Examples of Multifaceted Initiatives to Support International Students at Osaka University (Sharing Seminar on Examples of Initiatives for Internationalization of Member Universities in FY2025)


Osaka University is home to more than 2,700 international students.
Consultation on daily life and psychology, career support, exchange events, and community cooperation……… Support for international students is also provided in various forms.
This is a project to learn about examples of initiatives by other universities and make use of them in your own university and your own efforts.
Please feel free to join us!

Date, Time and Location

Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 15:30~17:00 (90 minutes including Q, etc.))
Campus Plaza Kyoto 4th Floor Lecture Room 4

Speakers (Informants)

Associate Professor, Center for International Educational Exchange (CIEE), Osaka University

substance

“~From Yorozu Consultation to Career Support~ Examples of Multifaceted Initiatives to Support International Students at Osaka University”

  • Various consultation systems for international students
  • Promotion of International Understanding (Support for Student-to-Student Exchanges Cooperation with Local Communities)
  • Career Education and Support for International Students

*After the lecture, we set a time for participants to exchange opinions, share information, and exchange business cards within the event time.

Who should attend?

Mainly university faculty and staff
(Faculty, staff, companies, and students from non-member universities are also welcome to participate!) )

Registration

↓Please apply from the application form.

 

 

*Capacity: 50 people (first-come, first-served basis))
*Deadline on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 17:00 (Applications will close as soon as the capacity is reached)

Inquiries

University Consortium Kyoto, International Business Department
TEL：075-353-9164
E-mail:kokusai@consortium.or.jp

 

【For Kyoto Students, Faculty and Staff】9/20 (Sat.) 10/25 (Sat.) Recruitment of participants for the “IELTS Skill Up Seminar (Online)”

The University Consortium Kyoto will hold an online IELTS skill improvement seminar for students and faculty members of member schools.

In this seminar, you will be taught by an IELTS expert who will aim for a score of 6.0 or higher in each of the writing and speaking sections, and learn about question tendencies, scoring criteria and specific learning methods. We will also provide basic information such as the overall structure of the test and how to study effectively.

Writing and speaking will be held on separate dates, so please join us according to your convenience. You can also participate on both days.

IELTS is an English language test that is accredited by more than 11,000 institutions in 140 countries around the world. More than 3 million people around the world take the exam every year to study, immigrate, and work in English-speaking countries.

Those who are considering taking IELTS for future study abroad,
Those who have experience taking the IELTS test and are aiming to further improve their scores,
Faculty and staff involved in international exchange,
Teachers from member schools who want to use it as a hint for English classes,
Please actively participate.

Date & Time

The schedule will be divided according to the theme. You can also participate on both days.

・1st [Speaking] Saturday, September 20, 2025 10:00 a.m. ~ 11:30 a.m. *Finished

・2nd [Writing] Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m. ~ 11:30 a.m.

Embodiment

Online (Zoom)
*Please prepare an internet environment and a computer and participate from a convenient location.
You can participate with your microphone and camera turned off.

Target

Students or faculty members enrolled in member schools of the University Consortium Kyoto

・List of University Consortium Kyoto member schools

Occupancy

50 people each time
*Please note that it will be closed as soon as the capacity is reached.

Expenses

free

Lecturer

Dr. Rita Furuya IDP IELTS Certified IELTS Expert
Ms. Tomoko Ichikawa, Head of IDP Education Japan Japan

Contents

*All lectures will be conducted in Japanese.

Common Programs
How to study IELTS (30 minutes) *The content is different each time.
The structure of the entire test, how to make an effective study plan for each skill, recommended teaching materials, etc.

Program by date
・1st [Speaking] Saturday, September 20, 2025
Speaking style based on evaluation criteria, responding to frequently occurring topics, and practicing mock responses

・2nd [Writing] Saturday, October 25, 2025
Structure and logical development of Tasks 1 and 2, how to come up with ideas, and how to improve according to the scoring criteria

How to apply

Click on each banner at the top of this table, enter your information at the link, and press “Register”.
You will receive the URL of the seminar to the email address you entered.

Application Deadline

・1st [Speaking] Saturday, September 20, 2025 9:00 a.m. *Ended

・2nd [Writing] Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m.

【Organizer】University Consortium Kyoto
[Cooperation] IDP Education Japan LLC

Contact:
 University Consortium Kyoto International Business Department
IELTS
TEL：075-353-9164
Email: kokusai■consortium.or.jp (Please change ■ to @ and send it.) ）

2025 Faculty and Staff Skill Improvement Training Cultural Training Application Acceptance Announcement

 

Business Overview

As the globalization of higher education accelerates, such as the enhancement of support for international students and the promotion of collaborative projects with overseas universities, the English proficiency of university faculty and staff has become indispensable as a basic ability.
In addition, international students from many countries and regions have their own cultural backgrounds, and in order to communicate smoothly, it is essential to understand customs, social norms, religions, etc. beyond language.
For this reason, the University Consortium Kyoto aims to raise the level of practical skills and motivate students to improve their skills by providing training to improve English proficiency by conducting case studies in various situations and training to learn about cultures outside of English-speaking countries.

 

Outline of the event

1st session Saturday, July 26, 2025 9:30-15:30 [Language] *Face-to-face course
Communication Skills in University : English Conversation Training (Beginner)
Lecturer: Mr. Owen Mark Kozlowski
≪ applications are now closed≫


2nd session Saturday, August 2, 2025, 9:30-12:30 [Language] *Face-to-face course
Effective Communication: Out-of-the-Box Email Web Conferencing Expressions (Beginner)
Lecturer: Mr. Owen Mark Kozlowski
≪ applications are now closed≫

3rd Session: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 9:30-16:30 [Language] *Face-to-face Lecture
Conducting meetings and conveying opinions in English Practical Discussion Course (Intermediate ~ Advanced)
Lecturer: Glenn Gregus

4th session Saturday, September 6, 2025 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cross-cultural courses to learn Chinese values and apply them to international students
Lecturer: Mao Xinghua

5th session Saturday, September 13, 2025 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cultural understanding training for international students from Asian Buddhist countries in Thailand and Vietnam
Lecturer: Miho Kyotani / Tran Thuy Phong

6th session: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cultural understanding training for international students in Taiwan and South Korea in East Asia
Lecturer: Mr. Xu Minhui

7th Saturday, October 11, 2025 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cultural understanding training for international students in Southwest Asia in Nepal and Sri Lanka
Lecturer: Mr. Devansh Vajracharya


☆ For details on the training contents, participation fee, capacity, etc., and the application form, please check the following page.

>>2025 Faculty and Staff Skill Improvement Training Go to the details page

*We will notify you by email after each application deadline.



International Business Department, University Consortium Kyoto
TEL：(075)353-9164
e-mail: kokusai＠consortium.or.jp

*Reception has ended [Application period extended!] Until 7/31] Applications for the 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum are now being accepted!

The 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum

At the National University Consortium Council,

The 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum will be held as follows.

This forum is held once a year.

Consortium officials, faculty and staff from all over the country gathered together

It is one of the few opportunities to interact and exchange information.

We have extended the application period until July 31st, so we would like to inform you again.

We look forward to your active participation.

 

Main

“Toward the development of new human resources who will open up a drastically changing future society ~Inter-university collaboration and industry-government-academia collaboration that thinks in an invulnerable way~”

Re

Saturday, August 30, 2025, 13:00-17:45 (*Information exchange session 18:00-19:30), Sunday, August 31, 2025, 10:00-12:00

Venue

Kobe Gakuin University Port Island Campus 1

substance

Symposiums, poster sessions, information exchange meetings, breakout sessions, etc.

Participation Fee

Participation fee: 5,000 yen (free for students)
Information Exchange Membership Fee (General) 4,000 yen (Student) 2,000 yen

Who is eligible?

University faculty and staff, university consortium officials, university students, etc.

Application Deadline

Until Thursday, July 31, 2025　

Details & Application

For details and applications for each program, please check this special site.
　The 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum Special Site

Contact us

National University Consortium Council Secretariat
telephone : 075-353-9100 FAX : 075-353-9101
* Business hours: Tuesday ~ Saturday 9:00 ~ 17:00 (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)

Applications for the 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum are now being accepted! (Until 7/25)

The 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum

At the National University Consortium Council,

The 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum will be held as follows.

This forum is held once a year.

Consortium officials, faculty and staff from all over the country gathered together

It is one of the few opportunities to interact and exchange information.

We look forward to your active participation.

 

Main

“Toward the development of new human resources who will open up a drastically changing future society ~Inter-university collaboration and industry-government-academia collaboration that thinks in an invulnerable way~”

Re

Saturday, August 30, 2025, 13:00-17:45 (*Information exchange session 18:00-19:30), Sunday, August 31, 2025, 10:00-12:00

Venue

Kobe Gakuin University Port Island Campus 1

substance

Symposiums, poster sessions, information exchange meetings, breakout sessions, etc.

Participation Fee

Participation fee: 5,000 yen (free for students)
Information Exchange Membership Fee (General) 4,000 yen (Student) 2,000 yen

Who is eligible?

University faculty and staff, university consortium officials, university students, etc.

Application Deadline

Until Friday, July 25, 2025

Details & Application

For details and applications for each program, please check this special site.
　The 22nd National University Consortium Research Exchange Forum Special Site

Contact us

National University Consortium Council Secretariat
telephone : 075-353-9100 FAX : 075-353-9101
* Business hours: Tuesday ~ Saturday 9:00 ~ 17:00 (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)

Notice of the start of accepting applications for the 2025 Faculty and Staff Skill Improvement Training

 

Business Overview

As the globalization of higher education accelerates, such as the enhancement of support for international students and the promotion of collaborative projects with overseas universities, the English proficiency of university faculty and staff has become indispensable as a basic ability.
In addition, international students from many countries and regions have their own cultural backgrounds, and in order to communicate smoothly, it is essential to understand customs, social norms, religions, etc. beyond language.
For this reason, the University Consortium Kyoto aims to raise the level of practical skills and motivate students to improve their skills by providing training to improve English proficiency by conducting case studies in various situations and training to learn about cultures outside of English-speaking countries.

 

Outline of the event

1st session Saturday, July 26, 2025 9:30-15:30 [Language] *Face-to-face course
Communication Skills in University : English Conversation Training (Beginner)
Lecturer: Mr. Owen Mark Kozlowski
≪ applications are now closed≫

2nd session Saturday, August 2, 2025, 9:30-12:30 [Language] *Face-to-face course
Effective Communication: Out-of-the-Box Email Web Conferencing Expressions (Beginner)
Lecturer: Mr. Owen Mark Kozlowski

3rd Session: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 9:30-16:30 [Language] *Face-to-face Lecture
Conducting meetings and conveying opinions in English Practical Discussion Course (Intermediate ~ Advanced)
Lecturer: Glenn Gregus

4th session Saturday, September 6, 2025 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cross-cultural courses to learn Chinese values and apply them to international students
Lecturer: Mao Xinghua

5th session Saturday, September 13, 2025 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cultural understanding training for international students from Asian Buddhist countries in Thailand and Vietnam
Lecturer: Miho Kyotani / Tran Thuy Phong

6th session: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cultural understanding training for international students in Taiwan and South Korea in East Asia
Lecturer: Mr. Xu Minhui

7th Saturday, October 11, 2025 9:30-12:30 [Culture] *Online course
Cultural understanding training for international students in Southwest Asia in Nepal and Sri Lanka
Lecturer: Mr. Devansh Vajracharya


☆ For details on the training contents, participation fee, capacity, etc., and the application form, please check the following page.

>>2025 Faculty and Staff Skill Improvement Training Go to the details page

*We will notify you by email after each application deadline.



International Business Department, University Consortium Kyoto
TEL：(075)353-9164
e-mail: kokusai＠consortium.or.jp

The 30th FD/SD Forum Report

 

We are pleased to announce the release of the report of the 30th FD and SD Forum “Supporting Students’ Learning and Happiness with FD×SD” held on March 1 and 2, 2025.
Click on each item to view the PDF data.

3
Symposium 1 New learning with FD×SD
──Exploring a university education that is close to the growth and happiness of each learner──
Symposium 2 Communities and Universities: Practice of University Faculty and Staff in Harmony with Local Communities
Session 1 The Forefront of Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The Future of Industry-Academia Collaboration
Session 2 DX at Universities: Organizations, Systems, and Education in the Age of AI
SubcommitteeCurrent and Future Challenges of Generative AI in School Education
Session 4 Current status and future possibilities of support for university students with developmental disabilities
Workshop 1 University Learning in Teaching, Work, and Academia
Workshop 2 Scholarships that you can’t hear about now, student support that you want to talk about now
Workshop 3 Universities and Diversity
Workshop 4 Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Regional Revitalization in Vacant Areas of Universities
Poster Session

* You can see the full-page report collection here.
　Report of the 30th FD/SD Forum