2025.4.14 (mon)
Strengthening entrepreneurship education to drive innovation
The National Institute of Technology (NITC), an independent administrative institution, is working to strengthen entrepreneurship education with the aim of cultivating innovative human resources.
At the entrepreneurship information exchange meeting held on March 7, 3, lively discussions were held on ways to strengthen entrepreneurship education.
Based on these discussions, the National Institute of Technology will further strengthen its entrepreneurship education and startup support by making maximum use of existing college of technology curricula and proactively introducing external resources.
During the panel discussion, the entire audience debated how to link technical college education with entrepreneurship education and startup support, and various proposals were made.
- Active use of external resources
To provide opportunities for students with an entrepreneurial mindset to take action, each college of technology will utilize subsidy systems from venture capital firms, NEDO, the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, participate in programs such as the KOSEN Incubate Committee (KIC) and the University of Tokyo Hongo Tech Garage 100 Program, and deepen ties with the entrepreneurial community. - Utilizing existing curriculum and entrepreneurial workshops
Since there is a strong relationship between the curriculum and graduation research of technical colleges and "entrepreneurship education," they will promote "independent learning" by improving the operation of the entrepreneurial workshops set up at each technical college so that they can be used by students of all grades and departments. - Creating a system that makes entrepreneurship accessible
At each technical college, a system will be created that allows students in their early years to be exposed to examples of implementation in society, allowing them to naturally imagine becoming an entrepreneur, and connect this to research in their upper years.
panel discussion
From the left,
・Professor Shinichiro Wakashima, Vice President (General Affairs), Ichinoseki National College of Technology
・Gunma National College of Technology Industry-academia collaboration entrepreneurship
Professor Kiyokazu Kimura, Chairperson of the Education Promotion Committee
・Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation
Yoshiaki Ishii, Head of Startup and Venture Support Department
・Mr. Toshinari Shimokawa, Representative Director of Hongo Planning Department Co., Ltd.
・ReGACY Innovation Group Inc.
Director and Executive Officer Takeo Okeya
Moderator Selfwing Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: Dr. Yukiko Hirai (Early Entrepreneurship Education)
In the second half of the group discussion, each group exchanged opinions about how to create a system to utilize potential resources both inside and outside the school (technical staff, alumni, local companies, etc.).
- Securing teachers with specialized knowledge: Teachers with specialized knowledge are essential, but there is a shortage of manpower. If it is difficult to train them at the college, it is important to secure manpower from outside, such as by dispatching them.
- Preparation of common teaching materials and guidelines: It would be good to have common teaching materials and guidelines specifically for entrepreneurship education.
- Promoting extracurricular activities and contests: A system is needed to consolidate and guide information so that students can actively participate in activities outside of class.
- Establishment of consultation desks: It is necessary to establish a system for consultation desks to address students' concerns.
Through this information exchange session, a future prospect was opened up: "By combining the college's curriculum with external cooperation, we can increase opportunities for students to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills."
In the future, we will put these proposals and opinions into practice, strengthen our networks both inside and outside the university, and establish a system to produce innovative talent from the College of Technology.
The National Institute of Technology will continue to deepen its collaboration with you all in order to establish an environment that fosters entrepreneurship in each college of technology.
Please look forward to our future endeavors.
If you have any comments or suggestions after reading this article, please contact us at the address listed below.
◇Contact information
National Institute of Technology Headquarters Secretariat Academic Affairs Division Education Planning Section
kyoiku@kosen-k.go.jp