Achieving DE&I at OU -- A Comprehensive Package for the Enhancement of Girls’ Education
1. Our Stance
Osaka University strives to create an environment in which diversity beyond differences in gender, sexual orientation/gender identity, disability, nationality, race, cultural background, and age can be used for the purpose of solving local and global problems and creating a society where members feel that life is worth living.
▶ Thus, the university, with a mission that we will create, inherit, and implement knowledge and, in line with the university’s motto “Live Locally, Grow Globally,” aims to produce excellent talent that supports the society of tomorrow and realizes human ideals by promoting world-class education and research while fostering academic freedom and citizenship education.
▶ Since Osaka University considers diversity to be the very source of innovation, it will actively promote its efforts to get attention from girls and their parents and high school teachers, using the Comprehensive Package for the Enhancement of Girls’ Education.
▶ Thus, the university, with a mission that we will create, inherit, and implement knowledge and, in line with the university’s motto “Live Locally, Grow Globally,” aims to produce excellent talent that supports the society of tomorrow and realizes human ideals by promoting world-class education and research while fostering academic freedom and citizenship education.
▶ Since Osaka University considers diversity to be the very source of innovation, it will actively promote its efforts to get attention from girls and their parents and high school teachers, using the Comprehensive Package for the Enhancement of Girls’ Education.
2. The Osaka University Model: Promotion of STEAM Education through Collaboration with Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools
*STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics
Osaka University wants students to learn about the appeal of science from the early stages of their education in school. Thus, the university has placed great emphasis on STEAM education for students in elementary, junior high, and high school for many years.
Specifically, since 2015, the university took the initiative among universities in Japan to establish Mebae Tekijuku, an education and research support program for elementary and junior high students, and SEEDS, a program that shares cutting-edge knowledge with high school students.
These programs intend not to increase the number of students who enter OU, but rather, to develop talent that will enjoy studying science and use it for society in making discoveries and inventions in oustanding environments at universities in Japan and overseas in the future.
Osaka University wants students to learn about the appeal of science from the early stages of their education in school. Thus, the university has placed great emphasis on STEAM education for students in elementary, junior high, and high school for many years.
Specifically, since 2015, the university took the initiative among universities in Japan to establish Mebae Tekijuku, an education and research support program for elementary and junior high students, and SEEDS, a program that shares cutting-edge knowledge with high school students.
These programs intend not to increase the number of students who enter OU, but rather, to develop talent that will enjoy studying science and use it for society in making discoveries and inventions in oustanding environments at universities in Japan and overseas in the future.
3. Support for Female Students Before and After Entering the University
Osaka University knows that many female students are highly motivated and have potential to grow at universities in Japan and overseas from its many years of efforts. Thus, the university provides programs to support female students so that they can participate fully in the university's educational programs and activities.
4. Unique Entrance Examinations – University Entrance Reform Responsive to Learning Needs
Osaka University will improve systems to support female students before and after their entrance as well as entrance examination systems in order to welcome outstanding female students.
5. Support for Female Students after Entering the University 1) Improving the On-Campus Environment [Creating an Attractive DE&I Campus] by the installation of:
▶ Some 250 dispensers for providing free sanitary napkins on 3 campuses to promote positive menstrual health
▶ All-gender restrooms in order to foster SOGI inclusivity (SOGI: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity)
▶ Powder rooms to offer comfort and convenience at the Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences (CELAS)
▶ Baby care room "mamaro" for students raising small children
▶ 3 day-care facilities on the Suita and Toyonaka campuses and short-term childcare rooms on all campuses
2) Providing Spaces to Learn with Female Researchers from Corporations [Developing Human Resources from a Wide Range of Generations]
In cooperation with 33 participating corporations in DE&I Consortium HANDAI, which aims to promote women's active engagement in professional life through industry-academia-government collaboration, as Industry-Academia Cocreation Education Projects, OU carries out the following programs:
▶ The "Program to Promote the Participation and Advancement of Women who Foster Innovation" for developing female leaders through workshops and lectures. 89 women from 6 corporations and 46 female students from OU have participated in this program since AY2020.
▶ The career promotion program for female scientists during parental leave
▶ Social gatherings between female students in science courses and corporations as part of career development support for female students
▶ The "Program to Promote the Participation and Advancement of Women who Foster Innovation" for developing female leaders through workshops and lectures. 89 women from 6 corporations and 46 female students from OU have participated in this program since AY2020.
▶ The career promotion program for female scientists during parental leave
▶ Social gatherings between female students in science courses and corporations as part of career development support for female students
3) Improving Networking Events [for Active Dissemination of Information] by:
▶ Events held by asiam members, such as events to tell elementary, middle, and high school students the attractiveness of science and provide counseling services for higher education in order to remove unconscious bias that women are less qualified than men to study STEM subjects and to promote the understanding of pursuing careers in STEM fields.
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
▶ Publishing “will,” a magazine featuring messages from female students and alumni at OU to encourage prospective female students.