Shizuoka University is deepening its commitment to regional revitalization through a collaborative education program focused on systems and design thinking. The initiative, undertaken in partnership with Shizuoka Prefecture and the city of Shimoda, aims to equip individuals with the skills to address local challenges and contribute to the future of their communities.
The program, titled “Thinking to Create the Future of Local Communities – Systems Thinking x Design Thinking Learned in the Field,” represents a significant investment in ’s evolving educational landscape. It reflects a broader trend of universities in Japan seeking to strengthen ties with local governments and industries, fostering a more symbiotic relationship between academia and the real world.
Shizuoka University, established in as a new-system national university, currently boasts approximately 5,750 students on its Shizuoka campus and 4,443 on its Hamamatsu campus, according to university data. The university’s philosophy centers on “freedom and enlightenment” and “creation of the future,” principles that appear to underpin this latest regional engagement.
The university operates two main campuses: one in Shizuoka City, housing the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, Education, Science, Agriculture, and Global Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation; and another in Hamamatsu City, dedicated to Informatics and Engineering. Both campuses offer undergraduate and master’s courses, with doctoral programs available through the Graduate School of Science and Technology (spanning both Shizuoka and Hamamatsu) and the Graduate School of Medical Photonics (Hamamatsu).
This latest initiative builds on existing international collaborations. The University of Shizuoka has recently hosted faculty from Boğaziçi University in Türkiye for a special lecture and academic exchange (), and welcomed students and faculty from Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand (). It also participates in a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) class with students from four countries and five universities, focusing on disaster nursing ().
The focus on systems thinking and design thinking is particularly noteworthy. Systems thinking encourages a holistic understanding of complex problems, recognizing interconnectedness and feedback loops. Design thinking, emphasizes user-centered problem-solving, employing iterative prototyping and testing to develop innovative solutions. Combining these approaches suggests a practical, action-oriented curriculum designed to address real-world challenges.
The collaboration with Shizuoka Prefecture and Shimoda City is crucial. Shimoda, a coastal city in Shizuoka Prefecture, has historically been a port town and a gateway for international trade. Like many rural communities in Japan, Shimoda faces demographic challenges, including an aging population and declining birth rates. The program likely aims to address these issues by fostering local entrepreneurship, attracting new residents, and enhancing the quality of life for existing communities.
Shizuoka University’s commitment to internationalization is also evident in its Asia Bridge Program (ABP), launched in , which targets students from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The university currently has 202 international students on its Shizuoka campus and 187 in Hamamatsu. This global outlook is likely to inform the regional revitalization program, bringing diverse perspectives and innovative ideas to the table.
The University of Shizuoka, a separate institution from Shizuoka University, is a public university also located in Shizuoka City. Established in through the amalgamation of three former public universities, it currently has 2,900 undergraduate students and 352 postgraduate students. It’s important to note the distinction between these two institutions.
Beyond academic programs, Shizuoka University provides housing options for students, including Shizuoka International Residence and Hamamatsu International Residence I & II. These facilities, along with Akebono-Ryo, cater to both international and Japanese students, supporting a diverse campus community.
The success of this regional education initiative will likely depend on several factors, including the level of engagement from local stakeholders, the quality of the curriculum, and the ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. However, Shizuoka University’s demonstrated commitment to innovation and collaboration positions it well to play a leading role in revitalizing its region.
a parallel effort between Shizuoka University and the University of Pittsburgh, supported by the US-Japan Foundation, focuses on addressing demographic decline through storytelling. This project highlights the growing recognition of the need for innovative approaches to tackle societal challenges in both Japan and the United States.
