Collaborative Forum: The Creative Dynamism of Innovation and Evolving Knowledge as We Look Towards 2050 and Social Change in 2050

On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, the first collaborative forum between Osaka University and the business community, “The Creative Dynamism of Innovation and Evolving Knowledge as We Look Towards 2050 and Social Change in 2050,” was held at Gakushikaikan in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

This forum was organized with the aim of generating social change by members of the business community and Osaka University to share ideas about current social challenges and form a community to address these challenges through dialogue-based co-creation.

Executive officers from 24 corporations as well as executives from Osaka University, including President NISHIO Shojiro, attended this forum.

In the opening address, after expressing his strong expectations for this forum, President Nishio delivered a lecture on the future society Osaka University aims to create.

President Nishio delivers a lecture

President Nishio

Next, presided over by Executive Vice President TANAKA Toshihiro and Executive Vice President KANEDA Yasufumi, a discussion was held on the topic of “A New Form of Business-University Collaboration: Social Change Achieved by a Virtuous Circle of Knowledge and Human Resources.”

The participating companies provided thought-provoking comments, suggesting that universities need to train young people to take on complex challenges that have no right or easy answer and to create themselves challenges that need to be addressed. Joint actions that could be taken by the business community and OU were also discussed.

Osaka University will hold this forum on a regular basis to promote its collaboration with economic circles.

Attendees in a lively discussion

Executive Vice President Tanaka

Executive Vice President Kaneda