A completely new course program "ENGINE" by three universities in the Hokuriku Shinkansen area, such as Shinshu University, Toyama University, and Kanazawa University.Create new ways of working by creating regional industries in various fields.

Professor Noriyasu Oguma of the University of Toyama appeared in the second series of interviews with the promoters of each university.

Taking advantage of the characteristics of a mixture of science and humanities

The "ENGINE Program" is a collaborative effort between three universities in three prefectures.It is one of the projects certified by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as "University-based Regional Creation Human Resources Education Program Construction Project (COC + R)". Is only at Toyama University.Professor Noriyasu Oguma, the project representative professor who spoke this time, is also a faculty of engineering.What was the reason for participating in the ENGINE program in the first place?

"I was in charge of a common program in the Department of Engineering in the initiative" Regional Revitalization Promotion Project (COC +) by the base university of the earth (knowledge) "started by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2015. , I participated in the ENGINE program in that way. "

Originally Toyama Prefecture was known as "Manufacturing Prefecture".The Faculty of Engineering, which has close ties to local companies, has also been involved in developing leaders for regional revitalization.That's why Professor Oguma was wondering if he could go by extending "COC +", but he said, "I was a little different."The Faculty of Arts was also added.Because of the education program that crosses the entire university, he was worried about how to pick up and combine specialized subjects in science and humanities.Finally, the curriculum was set up so that undergraduate students on the Gofuku Campus in the center of Toyama City could easily take courses.
 

When teachers also need to switch their minds

The University of Toyama's ENGINE program is characterized by a mixture of science and humanities, but in addition to the curriculum, the university has changed consciousness.

"The main purpose of this program is to think about working styles and future business from a new perspective. For that purpose, elderly teachers should not speak out (laughs). Satoyama in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture. I have pulled a young liberal arts teacher who was doing business creation in Kaiyama. "

Headhunting faculty members at Kanazawa University.It would be the perfect human resource for this Koshi prefecture program.This kind of mixture has a great affinity with the flow of incorporating different industries and creating new business forms.

"For example, I'm starting to sell fresh food at drug stores. I can't do it the way I used to. Then, if you don't think about how people buy things, companies can't survive. , Is becoming more prominent. "

By the time students enrolled in 2021 start job hunting, there is a possibility that the way companies should be and how they work may be completely different.Now that the way society is changing is accelerating, it is time for both students and universities to change their approach to learning. The ENGINE program is an innovative switch that has emerged there.
 

Promote features by discovering strengths and delving into them

The ENGINE program will take advantage of the core industries (transportation, food, infrastructure, tourism) that each prefecture is focusing on, and adopt a system that strengthens cooperation with companies.Discover strengths and delve into their characteristics.It also solves the problems that emerge in our involvement.

"I think that infrastructure is strong among the four themes. It has been known for manufacturing, and the environment that connects industry and society is in place. The Faculty of Engineering also has a connection with companies."

The fostering of this core industry is what Professor Yasuto Hayashi of Shinshu University calls "terroir" (see "Part 1: Shinshu University").Of course, in the case of Toyama Prefecture, the transportation symbolized by the tram in Toyama City is also a characteristic strength.The spotlight will be on the specialties and scenic spots.We will highlight the strengths of our core industries and cultivate the physical strength to fight.

And the new coronavirus is about to stop its concentration in Tokyo.After graduating from university, the flow of going to a company in Tokyo will be reviewed.
"Basically, Tokyo has only the function of the head office. It's an era where you can work anywhere except the secretary and the management department. I think you want to live in Tokyo rather than working at the head office. "

The leaders created by the ENGINE program are really important because this way of working becomes commonplace.
 

What are the human resources who create new businesses?

At the beginning of the curriculum, there is a course called "Connecting Top Leaders" that is common to all three universities.First of all, the content is to strengthen literacy, and experts active in each region talk about their business and activities.It is said that they will also include their feelings for society and industry in the future. Are these leaders the ENGINE program nurturing?

"The expression" a new business, a person who creates a way of doing business "is more appropriate. I don't think I'm going to be a leader who can see the shape now."

In the Faculty of Engineering, there are projects such as the "Formula Project" aiming to race formula cars produced by students, and the National Robot Contest sponsored by NHK.It is a tradition for students to go around the company and look for sponsors to raise funds. It is conducted as part of the curriculum called "Leader Development Practical Studies".Such experience creates a sense of responsibility and has built a track record with companies.

"If you are confident with that, you will be able to understand what you should do no matter where you get a job. The experience of going out into the city and interacting with working people is very great."
The curriculum that we have cultivated so far is effectively incorporated into the new educational program.
 

Sow seeds to notice various things

In the ENGINE program, a problem-solving internship is organized in the third year.For this internship, take various courses in the "literacy strengthening phase (3st year)" and "career development phase (1nd year)".After completing the internship, he received a certificate jointly named by the presidents of the three universities and started job hunting.According to Professor Oguma, "In the case of the Faculty of Engineering, problem-solving internships need to be coordinated with the host company," but it will be solidified by 2.

The word "problem solving" is also used in other subjects.

"I will present issues in class. Sometimes the president of a local company will raise them. For example, energy problems. Think about energy in a carbon-neutral society. I am very much looking forward to what kind of solutions and suggestions will come out."

The aim is to give them the ability to think in line with their lives.You can also see other group announcements online, so you'll be aware of it and it's a step towards your next idea.
"If you don't usually feel various things, you won't come up with ideas. Of course, regular specialized subjects are important, but the theory is that you can't make a big difference just by doing classroom lectures. Everyone has the same life. , I don't live the same way, so I'd like to distribute seeds that make me aware of various things. "
 

Growth as a person with ultimate value

The ENGINE program fosters new business creators in the region.Students with a high awareness of the community will gather, but Professor Oguma is most concerned about "human power."

"I don't want students to become'workers'. When I was a student, I built rich relationships and cultivated a way of being and a way of life as a human being. I think that will inevitably happen because there is a lot of group work. "

From his own experience, he says that it is easier to make best friends in college.After the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the number of students from Nagano and Ishikawa prefectures has increased.Crossing the prefectural border, the area of ​​communication will expand further.

"I don't mind if I make a mistake, I just want you to say something. It's a discussion to fight different opinions. It also creates connections between people."
The seeds that are noticed in the soil as a person cultivated in this way sprout and bear flowers and fruits.When people grow up, it means that the area grows up. The ultimate value of the ENGINE program may be there.