Designated National University Corporation Osaka University

Osaka University was selected as a Designated National University Corporation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on October 23, 2018.

  For the purposes of enhancing the level of education and research and creating innovation at universities in Japan, the MEXT Minister selects universities that have significant potential for developing world-leading education and research activities as Designated National University Corporations in the Designated National University Corporation System.
  Selected as a Designated National University Corporation, Osaka University must now directly compete with the best universities in the world. With this new designation, the university is expected to produce visible results that contribute to the development of society and the economy and to play a leading role in national university reform.

Osaka University President NISHIO Shojiro
Comment from the President

The Future of Designated National University Corporation Osaka University

  Osaka University was established through financial support from local political and financial circles and citizens and their strong passion. Since its establishment, the university has pursued universal truths, producing outstanding talent under its motto of “Live Locally, Grow Globally.”
  In drastic structural changes in society, as a Designated National University Corporation, Osaka University will go ahead with “co-creation,” that is, working with society across boundaries and using its knowledge and resources. Osaka University will pursue “co-creation” activities together with society in shared forums to explore and solve social issues together. Through these efforts, Osaka University will achieve outstanding research results and nurture individuals who will be active in co-creative activity on the world stage.
We are strongly committed to becoming a world-leading innovative university that will contribute to innovation for human welfare, sustainable development of society, and social transformation.
Osaka University President NISHIO Shojiro
Osaka University President NISHIO Shojiro

Outline of Osaka University’s Ideal Model and Vision

  In the Designated National University Corporation proposal prepared prior to this selection, Osaka University set its goal of becoming ‘A World-Leading Innovative University’ in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2031. Osaka University is strongly committed to becoming a world-leading innovative university that contributes to social transformation through “co-creation” while sharing common goals with society. That is, we will achieve innovation by co-creating with society to create knowledge, to nurture talent, and to pursue the welfare of humankind and a sustainable society.
  Our “co-creation” will leverage three resources from society: knowledge, talent, and funds, to develop fundamental research, human resources, and industry-university collaboration, and even to contribute to society and its globalization. Through “co-creation,” we aim to strengthen our research capacity, talent development, and finances, and to benefit society with our exceptional research outcomes.
  These outcomes will lead to social innovation, creating new social value which will be circulated back to the university. To develop sustainability in our research and education, our university management will attach great importance to this virtuous cycle.
  Osaka University will undertake the following initiatives in the third mid-term period.

Designated National University Corporation Proposal, Osaka University

Designated National University Corporation Proposal, Osaka University (click image to enlarge)

Form World-Leading Research Centers through Co-Creation to Utilize the Achievements and Strength of Osaka University’s Prominent Research
  Utilizing its social credibility and know-how of collaboration with society gained through its past efforts in industry-university collaborative research, Osaka University has begun to pursue a new phase of collaboration aimed at “co-creation” in which the university and industry cooperate from the stage of identifying social issues to final solutions.
  Based on these accomplishments, focusing on its world-leading research fields, Osaka University will form world-leading research centers in academic research and industry-university collaboration through a new phase of collaboration with society, “co-creation.” In addition, Osaka University will actively promote integrated research across different fields and interdisciplinary fusion research in order to create new research fields focused on solving social issues.
International Advanced Research Institute (IARI)
International Advanced Research Institute (IARI)
Promotes the formation of world-leading research hubs through “co-creation” with society beyond existing frameworks
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Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI)
Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI)
Promotes integrated research across different fields and interdisciplinary fusion research in order to create new research fields focused on a social agenda
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Institute for Datability Science
Institute for Datability Science
Promotes data-driven research through big data analysis aimed at creating new research fields
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Educating/Acquiring Talent with a Mind for Co-Creation
  In order to proceed with "co-creation" with society, Osaka University will nurture talent who are able to lead innovation with the three skills of “critical thinking,” “transcultural communication,” and “design prowess,” which are set forth in the education objectives of Osaka University. (Developing Human Resources for Co-creative Innovation)
Introduction of advanced programs in liberal arts
Introduction of advanced programs in liberal arts
Osaka University will implement a coherent educational system that includes advanced programs in liberal arts for both undergraduate and graduate schools, as well as transferable skills education and entrepreneurial education
Opening of new graduate school degree programs
Opening of new graduate school degree programs
Opening of new graduate school degree programs In order to develop and expand new degree programs based on the Excellent Graduate School Program (TAKUETSU) in cooperation with MEXT, Osaka University will establish the Institute for Transdisciplinary Graduate Degree Programs for training doctoral students who are capable of contributing to society as well as academia.
Strengthening programs for enabling diversity
Strengthening programs for enabling diversity
Osaka University will take further steps from the standpoint of “diversity and inclusion” to provide an environment in which each person can give full play to his or her individual characteristics and capabilities, regardless of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, or nationality. The university will also strengthen programs for enabling diversity in respect of values and different cultural backgrounds in order to stimulate innovation. Through these efforts, the university will acquire outstanding talent.
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Implement a Virtuous Cycle of Knowledge, Talent, and Funds by Strengthening Inter-Organizational Collaboration through the Co-Creation Bureau
  For Osaka University to become a world-leading innovative university, it is important to actively promote inter-organizational cooperation through “co-creation” in its fundamental research, education, social contribution and globalization.
  To accelerate these initiatives, we established the “Co-Creation Bureau” to be headed by the president.
  The Co-creation Bureau promotes inter-organizational cooperation to create a virtuous cycle of “knowledge,” “talent,” and “funds.”
Co-creation Bureau
Co-creation Bureau
Functions as a coordinator between the university and society to strengthen relationships with industrial circles and all stakeholders to promote joint research, human resource development, and contribution to the community through “co-creation” with various stakeholders.
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 Social Solution Initiative (SSI)
Social Solution Initiative (SSI)
A think-tank to propose solutions to various social problems.
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Strengthen the Base of International Collaboration Networks
  To establish its status as a world-leading innovative university through global “co-creation,” Osaka University will promote inter-organizational cooperation with overseas educational and research institutes through the following efforts.
Global Knowledge Partners
Global Knowledge Partners
Establish a global organizational network through strategic partnership with top universities overseas
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ASEAN Campuses
ASEAN Campuses
Implements education and research that meet local needs by developing campuses in Southeast Asian countries
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OU Global Campus/Global Village
OU Global Campus/Global Village
Improves the environment for accepting international researchers and students by preparing dormitories where international students and Japanese students can live together and housing facilities where international faculty and staff can live with their Japanese counterparts.
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Governance Restructuring/Strengthening the Financial Base
  Osaka University will implement its governance reform and strengthen its financial base so that the president can exercise leadership to steadily proceed with various strategies. Specifically, we will focus on:
  • Introduction of new “Provost” posts to reinforce university management and swift decision-making
  • Facilitating inter-departmental communication and communication between departments and headquarters
  • Further strengthening university-wide risk management and raising awareness of risk management of the members of Osaka University
  • Boosting self-generated income through virtuous cycles using the Co-Creation Bureau
  • Expanding large-scale inter-organizational collaborations to bring in joint research revenue in excess of 40 million yen per partnership
  • Greatly increasing donation revenue by utilizing domestic and international networks of alumni, etc.