Business overview
This forum is being held with the aim of “sharing information on domestic trends and disseminating information on initiatives in Kyoto” regarding collaborative and transitional education between high schools and universities.
Event Overview
The 24th University-High School Collaboration Education Forum
Amidst a rapidly declining birthrate and shrinking population, large-scale and rapid institutional reforms are strongly demanded for both high schools and universities, with a view to 2040, when the 18-year-old population is projected to reach 740,000. The Central Council for Education is currently working on formulating the next curriculum guidelines, with a report expected within this fiscal year.
Under the current curriculum guidelines, inquiry-based learning, including “Comprehensive Inquiry Time,” is expanding in high schools. However, how this learning connects to university education and the real world remains unclear. In the 2025 university entrance examinations, when high school students who engaged in inquiry-based learning will enter university, more than 90% of universities and faculties will implement comprehensive or school-recommended selection methods, and more than 50% of admitted students will do so. While multifaceted and comprehensive selection methods are progressing, the number of universities implementing selection methods such as “inquiry-based evaluation” is also increasing. However, concerns have been raised that inquiry-based activities may be reduced to mere entrance exam preparation, and questions have been raised about whether they are actually leading to university learning and career development.
This forum aims to share and deepen understanding of the current state of inquiry-based learning in high school and its connection to university education, from both high school and university perspectives. Specifically, while taking into account national policy trends, we will examine the reality of high school-university transitions based on concrete examples, such as changes in career choices triggered by inquiry-based learning and transformations in learning brought about by multifaceted and comprehensive selection processes. Furthermore, we hope to create a space for participants to exchange opinions and explore new possibilities for educational transitions together.
Opening remarks
by Katsuhiro Ohara (Chairman, Kyoto High School-University Collaboration Research Council / Chairman, University Consortium Kyoto / President, Doshisha University)
Explanation of purpose
by Yutaka Hasegawa (Director, High School-University Collaboration Promotion Office, University Consortium Kyoto / Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University)
Moderator:
Iwako Yamamoto (Member, High School-University Collaboration Promotion Office, University Consortium Kyoto / Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Kyoto Institute of Technology)
| schedule | Saturday, December 5, 2026, 13:00-18:00 | |
| venue | Campus Plaza Kyoto | |
| Reception hours |
For those attending from the keynote speech: 12:30-13:00 For those attending from the Q&A session: 15:45-16:00 |
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| Reception location | Campus Plaza Kyoto, 5th floor, in front of the elevator | |
| theme | How does inquiry-based learning connect to university education ? – The possibilities of high school-university transitions, including selection processes. |
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| Capacity (first-come, first-served) |
Keynote speech, case study introduction, general sharing | 200 people |
| Opinion exchange meeting | 40 people per venue | |
| Participation fee | High school and university personnel in Kyoto Prefecture | 1,000 yen |
| Those other than those listed above | 2,000 yen | |
| *Includes “Resume and Reference Materials”. | ||
| Organizer | Kyoto University-High School Collaboration Research Council (Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education / Kyoto City Board of Education / Kyoto Prefectural Federation of Private Junior and Senior High Schools / Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry / University Consortium Kyoto) |
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You can download the flyer for the 24th High School-University Collaboration Education Forum here.
13:15-14:15 Keynote speech
| Society, local communities, democracy, and public education in 2040Tetsuo Goda (Director-General, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) |
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| In anticipation of structural changes in society and industry brought about by the dramatic advancements in generative AI, policies are being implemented to emphasize science and mathematics education at the high school level, to prioritize specialized high schools in fields such as industry and agriculture, to expand science, engineering, and digital fields at universities, to improve the ST ratio by downsizing humanities and social science faculties, to improve quality through the study of mathematics and sciences, and to enhance both the quantity and quality of technical colleges. From the perspective of changing deeply ingrained perceptions among parents and society such as “just go to a general high school,” “girls should go into the humanities,” and “if you abandon science and mathematics early and raise your scores in three subjects to get into a large university in the Tokyo metropolitan area, you’ll be set for life,” I would like to consider inquiry-based learning in high schools and the nature of high school-university transitions. |
14:20-15:50 Case Studies (Listed in order of presentation)
We will introduce concrete examples from high schools and universities to explore the current state of high school-university collaboration.
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Exploring the Roles of the Career Guidance Department and the Planning Department in “Career Education” – A Case Study of Hiyoshigaoka High School –Presenter: Ryutaro Kurimura (Teacher, Career Guidance Department, Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School) |
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| This presentation will introduce specific examples of the relationship between the “Comprehensive Inquiry Time” program, which is managed by the Planning Department, and career path selection. Furthermore, it will raise the question of how to extend the positive effects to all students, based on the current division of roles between the two departments. |
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Practical Application of Inquiry-Based Learning that Connects Classes and Projects: Deepening Learning Through High School-University-Community CollaborationPresenter: Yukiko Ibuki (Librarian, Future Education Creation Department, Kyoto University of Advanced Science Junior and Senior High School) |
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| This presentation introduces the foundation of inquiry-based learning in different middle and high school courses, and the practical application of the SDGs Food Project in society. It examines the role and potential of inquiry-based activities in collaboration with local communities, companies, and universities in deepening students’ questions and facilitating learning at university and the transition from high school to university. |
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The Value of High School-University Collaboration in Human Resource Development Centered on Innovation ExplorationPresenter: Michiaki Shimazaki (Head of Global Science Department, Kyoto Prefectural Toba High School) |
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| Toba High School’s Global Studies program aims to cultivate global talent and fosters student growth through “Innovation Exploration,” a collaborative project centered on high school-university partnerships, focusing on themes of challenge and collaboration. This report details the achievements and challenges of this program. |
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High school-university collaboration: Connecting learning through partnerships between high schools and universities – Initiatives emphasizing the connection between development and learning.Presenters: Daichi Ide (Section Chief, High School-University Collaboration Office, Kyoto Bunkyo University) and Hayato Nonoguchi (Section Chief, Admissions Office, Kyoto Bunkyo University) |
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| This presentation introduces Kyoto Bunkyo University’s integrated approach, encompassing everything from high school-university collaboration to support inquiry-based learning in high schools, to comprehensive selection processes, and pre-enrollment education. It reports on practices that view “entrance examinations” as an opportunity to understand high school students’ learning and growth, and emphasize their connection to university education. |
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How to connect high school inquiry-based learning with university-level community-based education: Lessons from a local public universityPresenter: Yoshiki Kurata (Vice President, Fukuchiyama Public University (in charge of high school-university collaboration)) |
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| Departments specializing in “regional policy” and “regional management” at local public universities provide education aimed at identifying and solving regional issues. While they have strived to build upon high school inquiry-based learning and create a strong university-high school connection, many challenges remain. |
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Connecting inquiry-based learning to university education: Kyoto University’s distinctive entrance examination and integrated interdisciplinary subjectsPresenter: Takashi Kusumi (Deputy Director and Specially Appointed Professor, Institute for Advanced International Education, Kyoto University) |
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| This article introduces the performance-based evaluation of inquiry-based learning in the Kyoto University Faculty of Education’s special entrance examination (comprehensive selection), and the “integrated complex subject,” a first-year course consisting of lectures and seminars that connect high school inquiry to university-level academics and research. |
16:00-17:15 Exchange of opinions
The participants will be divided into three venues to deepen discussions on inquiry-based learning and the ideal form of high school-university collaboration, from the perspectives of both high school and university students.
*Please note that you cannot change the venue for the discussion session after completing the application process.
| Venue A | Reporter | Takashi Kusumi (Deputy Director and Specially Appointed Professor, Institute for Advanced International Education, Kyoto University) |
| Reporter | Michiaki Shimazaki (Head of Global Science Department, Kyoto Prefectural Toba High School) |
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| coordinator | Koji Shiraishi (Supervisor, High School Education Division, Guidance Department, Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education) |
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| Venue B | Reporter | Daichi Ide (Section Chief, High School-University Collaboration Office, Kyoto Bunkyo University) |
| Reporter | Hayato Nonoguchi (Section Chief, Admissions Office, Kyoto Bunkyo University) |
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| Reporter | Ryutaro Kurimura (Teacher, Career Guidance Department, Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School) |
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| coordinator | Takehiro Kihira (Supervisor, High School Education Section, School Guidance Division, Guidance Department, Kyoto City Board of Education) |
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| Venue C | Reporter | Yoshiki Kurata (Vice President (in charge of high school-university collaboration), Fukuchiyama Public University) |
| Reporter | Yukiko Ibuki (Librarian and Teacher, Department of Future Education Creation, Kyoto University of Advanced Science Junior and Senior High School) |
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| coordinator | Takafumi Yamada (Vice Principal, Kyoto University of Advanced Science Affiliated Junior and Senior High School) |
17:30-18:00 General sharing
We will share the findings summarized during the exchange of opinions with everyone.
Facilitator:
Moeko Hosoo (Member of the Kyoto University Consortium’s High School-University Collaboration Promotion Office / Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Ritsumeikan University)
Application
[Important Notes (Please Read Carefully)]
Application Information (First-come, first-served basis)
Application Period: October 6, 2026 (Tue) 10:00 AM – November 26, 2026 (Thu) 5:00 PM
●Advance registration is required. Registration will close once the capacity is reached. Please note that we will not be accepting registrations on the day of the event.
●Please note that you cannot change the discussion session after completing the application process.
●If you do not receive a notification email with the URL for the “Participation Application Form” after filling out and submitting the “Email Address Confirmation Form,” there may be an error in your entry. Please re-enter and resubmit your information.
●After completing your application, we will send you a “Confirmation Email.” If you do not receive the “Confirmation Email,” please contact us at the address below. Please note that it may have been filtered into your spam folder.
●Starting this academic year, we have discontinued the distribution of paper copies of the “resume and materials collection” and will now distribute them in advance as PDF data.
●Please note that you may not forward or reproduce the received email to anyone other than the applicant.
● Recording, audio recording, or photography during the event is strictly prohibited.
Regarding payment of participation fees
: Payment deadline: December 1, 2026 (Tuesday)
● You can choose from the following payment methods:
① Credit card payment ② Convenience store payment ③ Bank transfer
*If you select either ① credit card payment or ② convenience store payment, payment will be processed using the mail-order system “Paysys”. You will receive an email from Paysys <info@paysys.jp> with instructions regarding your payment method.
*Please note that if you choose payment via bank transfer as described in option ③, you will be responsible for the bank transfer fees.
*The University Consortium Kyoto will not retain your credit card information.
*This information will be sent to the card company via Metaps Payment Co., Ltd., the payment system operator.
●Participation fees paid are non-refundable for any reason, except in the case of event cancellation. Please understand this in advance.
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Contact Information
Kyoto University-High School Collaboration Research Council
(University Consortium Kyoto, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Educational Development Division, University-High School Collaboration Project Section)
TEL 075-353-9153 FAX 075-353-9101
600-8216 Kyoto City, Shimogyo Ward, Nishinotoin-dori Shio-koji, Campus Plaza Kyoto
*Office hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00-17:00 (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)
