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Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration - A Case Study
Conducting Collaborative Research For Regional Economic Revitalization
This page offers a case study of various research activities and the results of industry-government-academia collaboration conducted at the Keio SFC Research Institute. (Position titles are those at the time of release.)
>> Archive of Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration - A Case Study
Conducting Collaborative Research For Regional Economic Revitalization
The mission of the Yoshinori Isagai Laboratory is to find practical ways to revitalize the regional Japanese economy. In the past, the Isagai Laboratory has conducted the following research projects: (Websites are available in Japanese only.)
One of the practical ways of the Isagai Laboratory is to allow students to travel around the country and work together with various organizations such as local governments, NPOs, companies and schools. It is the belief of the Isagai Laboratory that students can contribute to society by trying to resolve regional problems that are rather difficult even for companies and local governments to handle. The Isagai Laboratory hopes these projects will create a domino effect in project practice, research and education which can trigger a national movement in communities to revitalize their economies and social structures.
The following are the outlines of two research projects from the Isagai Laboratory, namely the "Development of an Entrepreneurship Teaching Material for High School Students" and "Community Revitalization through Information Technology in Toho Village, Fukuoka Prefecture".
Development of a Teaching Material for High School Students to Encourage Entrepreneurship
The "VITA+" project, started in the Isagai Laboratory in 2005, has been actively pursuing projects in several prefectures, such as Saga, Kochi and Wakayama. The members of the project believe that the case method technique employed in business schools can help to develop entrepreneurship for high school students. They have verified this theory through practical application and organizing classes for local high school students.
In 2005, the VITA+ project compiled eight case studies into "Entrepreneurship Teaching Material for High School Students", which was commissioned by NPO, Housuu School* (certified as one of the "Projects for Career Education in Independent Regions through the Utilization of Private Sector" of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). Classes were conducted by the members of the project, twice at Ogata High School in Kochi prefecture and once at Ushizu High School and Saga Commercial High School in Saga prefecture; members used the teaching materials developed for this specific purpose. The project has also created two e-Learning human resources development study material for community revitalization which was commissioned by Ogata-cho Employment Promotion Council (under the support of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).
In 2006, the VITA+ project developed two teaching texts based on case studies and one e-Learning text for empowering youth in community development. The development of all the three texts was commissioned by NPO, Housuu School. Members of the project are actively involved in class curricula development. The case method classes have been conducted five times at Ushizu High School and once at Ogata High School using distance learning techniques with students. The actual effect of the project on the students was later verified.
Furthermore, the members participating in the project used the sanctioned grants from the Framework for the Promotion of Policy Studies by SFC Students (FPPS), in developing teaching material based on case studies related to World Heritage, "Kumano-Kodo". The classes using case study method were held for students of Shingu High School in Wakayama prefecture in November 2006.
The classes employing the case study method for teaching high school students are a part of a unique and advanced methodology in Japan. Although these projects are still inchoate and experimental, the teaching materials based on case studies such as local events or shopping district, were well accepted by students.
The subjects dealt with local issues and involved people from local government, NPOs, companies and faculty members from universities, as well as high school students. The classes highlighted the possibility of regional collaboration where high school students could become the core of the movement. Achieving remarkable success amongst students, the project now intends to broaden its horizon by developing teaching material based on case studies. It will conduct similar researches in other regions as well.
Community Revitalization through Information Technology in Toho Village, Fukuoka Prefecture
The "Toho Village Revitalization Strategy Project through Information Technology" started in 2006 and was commissioned by Toho Village in Fukuoka prefecture. The project aims at finding practical ways of regional revitalization through the use of information technology. A large number of students from the Isagai Laboratory have already visited the village and have actively participated in the project as key persons in resolving regional problems together with the rural population and the village office.
The regional computerization projects have already started in various places as a part of the substantial spread of broadband since 2000. These projects are a series of regional revitalization projects helping to resolve issues related to community life, industry, medical and education through an innovative use of information technology. The project has raised the hopes of planners in resolving problems which are difficult for companies and local governments to handle.
However, information technology may not be a silver bullet. Regional revitalization through information technology requires an infrastructure and the process that puts regional resources to good use. It is hoped that through these activities, people of the community will form new relationships with the academia and unite to decide upon a course of action. It is therefore essential to have a leader (producer) who can promote local and regional collaboration and revitalization by creating a community sharing a common goal.
With this goal in mind members of the project have evolved the following activities in the Toho Village:
- The creation of a "Resident Director" who possesses the ability to plan by employing his skills of image production. The "Resident Director" is considered valuable in the field of regional computerization that proliferates in regional communities.
- The opening of a "Shiminjuku" (Internet School for Citizens), a learning community in which residents can join anytime and anywhere, as students or lecturers.
- The establishment of "Housuu School" that develops critical thinking through discussion and the use of materials related to the region.
The members of the project hope to attract more converts inside and outside the Toho Village by producing materials related to regional resource developed by students and rural communities. Though this research project has just started, it has received encouragement from many participants. Regional leaders can use some of the teaching material based on case studies. By appointing villagers as core members the project aims at quickly revitalizing Toho Village.
*NPO Housuu School is a training school for entrepreneurs utilizing information technology. The unique feature of the school is that it employs original teaching materials based on case studies (including image production) and tests it in regional companies. The Housuu School was established in Saga prefecture in 1999 and authorized as NPO in 2005. The school has Mr. Hiroyasu Sashiyama (Chairman of the Bank of Saga) as President and Yoshinori Isagai (Assistant Professor) as Vice President (founder). Participants include young business people, students, company owners, members of local governments and others. Approximately three hundred students have graduated from the school by 2006. Among them, a large number of graduates have established venture businesses, NPOs and new businesses. The school started in 2002 as an entrepreneur providing training and education in elementary schools. In 2003 it expanded to high schools. In 2004, Toyama Housuu School was established. Establishment of other Housuu Schools is under consideration in various areas. The school has received Nikkei Regional Computerization Award in 2003.
Related Websites
* All of the following websites are available in Japanese only.
(Release Date: 2006/11/10)
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