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Toward a Research University That Creates the Common Sense of the Future

Publish: March 15, 2024

Writer Profile

  • Masayuki Amagai

    Other : Vice-President

    Masayuki Amagai

    Other : Vice-President

´ºÓêÖ±²¥app's proposal has been selected for the "Program for Forming Regional Innovation Capacity and Restructuring Research Universities (J-PEAKS)," which was publicly solicited by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). There were 69 applications, and 12 schools were selected; among private universities, only two schools¡ªthe Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app¡ªwere chosen. This project is being implemented alongside support for Universities for International Research Excellence, which is supported by a 10-trillion-yen university fund, and is expected to serve as a catalyst for improving Japan's research capabilities. It is not a typical project for "receiving research funds to promote research," but rather a university reform project to "strengthen organizational functions to become a world-class research university."

´ºÓêÖ±²¥app has developed by being selected for various base projects until now. These include the Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities (2013-2022), the Top Global University Project (2014-2023), and the Open Innovation Organization Development Project (2018-2022). Furthermore, the "Human Biology-Microbiome-Quantum Research Center (Bio2Q)," led by Professor Kenya Honda, was selected for the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) in 2022, a first for a private university. WPI is a project to form international research hubs that boast a highly internationalized research environment and world-class research standards. Additionally, the Urban Health Commons Co-creation Base led by Professor Masaya Nakamura was selected for the Center of Innovation Program (COI-NEXT) in 2021, and the Symbiotic Upcycling Society Co-creation Base proposed by Professor Hiroya Tanaka was selected in 2023. COI-NEXT is a project where universities take the lead in formulating a vision for a future society and aim to form industry-academia-government co-creation bases. The achievements in these projects led to the selection for J-PEAKS. What will we do in this project (Figure)? In this project, we will further develop existing distinctive research bases, build a showcase for ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app's diverse researchers in a new form, encourage exchange among researchers within ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app and outside, and create new bases, including those centered on the humanities and social sciences. As each research base grows, we will create new research fields, promote the fusion of research fields and bases, and lead to social implementation. Through the support of this project, we will fertilize the soil (system) that serves as the foundation for the creation and growth of bases. To fertilize the soil, the Office for Research Coordination and Administration, the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app Global Research Institute (KGRI), and the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship will work as a trinity to act as driving forces.

Figure: Overview of J-PEAKS and the ideal vision as a research university

Prior to this project, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app was also selected in April 2023 for the "Project for Developing Facilities for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and Joint Research through Collaboration of Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities" solicited by MEXT. Development is underway for the Yagami Innovation Liaison (YIL) at the Yagami Campus and the Center for Research of Incubation at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app (CRIK) at the Shinanomachi Campus. At these facilities, we will strengthen university functions toward social implementation by linking research results to innovations such as solving domestic and international social issues and creating new industries including startups. Furthermore, through this project, a strong partnership will be established with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST).

So, what kind of research university do we aim to be through this project (Figure)? Common sense, which is the shared understanding of people, has changed over time. It is not uncommon for things that were once considered unconventional to become common sense as science and technology progress. Currently, common sense continues to change at an unprecedented speed. With the rise of advanced science and technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and regenerative medicine, various "boundaries" are melting, such as between humans and machines (AI), humans and animals, self and others, and truth and falsehood. In the next decade, as this melting of boundaries further accelerates, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app will lead the world strongly in multiple cutting-edge research areas such as life sciences, reaching even more overwhelming heights. At the same time, we will create ethics and values that people can truly accept, and innovate the very concept of "social implementation of research results." The "social implementation of academic knowledge" must be about enriching society through scholarship and increasing society's trust in academia. Then, through the "creation of entrepreneurs and business leaders," we will become pioneers in promoting the economic development of Japan and the world and realizing a rich and happy society. As a "professional group for social implementation," ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app will not only create "things" but also make "things happen," and through the true fusion of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, we will develop toward a research university that creates the common sense of the future.

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.