On Friday, October 17, the J-PEAKS Program Support Team hosted a site visit at Enreiso, Hokkaido University’s Open Innovation Hub.
A total of 34 participants took part in the visit, including Nobuyuki Osakabe, the appointed supporter for the university’s J-PEAKS Program (Executive Advisor, Core Technology & Solutions Business Group, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation); members of the support team for promoting distinctive regional core research universities; and representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
The purpose of the visit was to review the progress of the program and identify key challenges through discussions with the President and other members of the executive leadership.
The visit began with opening remarks by President Kiyohiro Hokkin, who outlined the university’s vision for research toward realizing a sustainable well-being society, its aspiration to become a social impact–oriented institution, and prospects under the J-PEAKS Program.
This was followed by a presentation from Executive Vice President Tsuyoshi Setoguchi on the university’s initiatives under the J-PEAKS Program and their progress to date, as well as a presentation from Vice President Takanori Nishimura on the initiatives and future outlook of the Institute for Regenerative Agri-Forest-Fisheries (IRAFF).
Subsequently, the President, members of the executive leadership of the university, program supporters, and liaisons from other universities shared their insights. Lively discussions covered a wide range of topics, including collaboration with researchers in the humanities and social sciences, initiatives under IRAFF, the Collaborative Research Platform, and the newly established Technical Scientist (TS) System.
During the research presentations, Director Yasuaki Takagi of the Faculty of Fisheries Sciences introduced the Hakodate Mariculture Project as part of the university’s regenerative fisheries research initiatives.
In addition, Professor Hiroshi Ujii of the Research Institute for Electronic Science and Professor Toru Murayama of the Institute for Catalysis presented their research projects selected under the Collaborative Research Platform program.
Finally, closing remarks with words of appreciation were delivered by Vice President Hiroshi Abe, who serves as a liaison, and the visit was brought to a successful close.
Following a tour of the Center of Education and Research for Hokkaido Wines, a networking reception hosted by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) was held at the Center. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, participants engaged in lively exchanges, marking the conclusion of the entire event.
During this site visit, the university received high praise for its vision grounded in the history of higher education worldwide, as well as for the progress of its J-PEAKS initiatives. In addition, strong interest was expressed in the university’s regenerative agriculture, forestry, and fisheries research, as well as in the Collaborative Research Platform program.
Through the J-PEAKS Program, Hokkaido University will continue to further strengthen collaboration with universities and research institutions in Japan and abroad, as well as with local governments and private-sector partners. By accelerating efforts to promote cutting-edge research and its social implementation, the university aims to contribute to the realization of a sustainable, well-being society.
