A Community-Engaged Project-Based Learning Program in Collaboration with Local Companies (Monday, April 20)

A Community-Engaged Project-Based Learning Program in Collaboration with Local Companies (Monday, April 20)

The Business Communication class (enrolled by 16 Japanese students and 8 international students) aims to develop practical business communication skills required in Japanese companies and overseas Japanese-affiliated organizations through community-engaged, project-based learning.

A distinctive feature of this course is its close collaboration with local companies in Ibaraki Prefecture. Students work on real challenges faced by these companies and explore solutions from perspectives grounded in the local community. Through company briefings, research, discussions, and proposal development, students deepen their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of businesses within the community and consider how they can contribute to regional development. By working in mixed groups of Japanese and international students, the class benefits from diverse cultural and academic perspectives, enabling students to approach local issues with a broader, more global outlook.

Now in its second year, the course is conducted with the support of the Ibaraki Prefecture Association of Small and Medium Enterprise Entrepreneurs. In the 2026 academic year, four local companies—Shima Laundry, KJ-NETWORK, Kids Creation, and Kikumasa Painting Shop—are participating in the program as partner organizations.

On Monday, April 20, business owners from each company were invited to the class to introduce their businesses and present specific challenges for students to address. In the coming weeks, students will collaboratively examine these real-world issues in mixed groups of Japanese and international students, developing practical proposals that reflect both local needs and diverse viewpoints. Through this process, the course seeks to foster human resources who can work together with local communities and contribute to the sustainable growth of regional businesses.