A partnership to design the future! Hokkaido University of Science and Hokuryu Town sign comprehensive partnership agreement

Thursday, August 14, 2025

A partnership to design the future! Hokkaido University of Science and Hokuryu Town sign comprehensive partnership agreement

In August 2025, when sunflowers will be in full bloom and adorning the summer, Hokuryu Town signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Hokkaido University of Science to develop the town for the future. This agreement aims to connect the university's specialized knowledge and the young energy of its students to solving problems and revitalizing the town. At the signing ceremony, representatives from both parties spoke of their fervent expectations and specific visions for the future.

Overview of the Agreement Signing Ceremony

The event was moderated by Yayoi Kawamoto, Chief of the City Future Strategy Division.

Introducing the attendees

• Hokkaido University of Science
  • President Takashi Kawakami
  • Ms. Miki Yamashita, Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Director of the Community Education Center and Director of the Pharmacist Lifelong Learning Center
  • Masato Kihara, Council Member, University Secretary General and Director of Academic Affairs
  • Mr. Ichiro Nishi, Head of the Regional Collaboration Division, Admissions and Regional Collaboration Department, and Deputy Director of the Regional Education Center
  • Mr. Terutaro Honda, Chief of the Regional Collaboration Division, Admissions and Regional Collaboration Department
• Hokuryu Town
  • Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki
  • Superintendent of Education Yoshiki Tanaka

The two leaders discuss their hopes for collaboration and their vision for the future

Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town: "We want to be a town where students can try things out" - Hopes for Regional Revitalization 2.0

"I am truly delighted that we have now reached a long-awaited partnership agreement with Hokkaido University of Science. Hokuryu Town aims to establish a nine-year compulsory education system in three years' time, and a strong partnership with the university is essential to provide a platform for further learning. We also plan to utilize the Regional Revitalization Grant 2.0 to once again vigorously advance our town's revitalization efforts. As part of this, we have held numerous discussions with our staff about how we can rebuild the town for the better, and have concluded that the best path forward is to enlist the help of the university and build our future together.

I would like all students to take full advantage of Hokuryu as a town where they can try new things. I believe that the various challenges you take on here will lead to your own personal growth, the development of the university, and above all, the revitalization of our town. I look forward to a long-term relationship with you."

Hokkaido University of Science President Takashi Kawakami: "Towards a new learning environment for the Faculty of Regional Creation, scheduled to be established in 2027"

Next, Hokkaido University of Science President Takashi Kawakami spoke about the university's vision and his thoughts on this agreement.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude for providing such a wonderful opportunity for us today. Our parent educational institution, the educational corporation, celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, and Hokuryu Town, with its history spanning more than 130 years, is a town that is deeply rooted in Hokkaido and has continued to work hard for the community. We feel that it is a 'friend' of ours.

Our university has cultivated highly specialized professionals, including engineers in fields such as architecture, disaster prevention, and renewable energy, as well as medical professionals such as nurses and pharmacists. However, today's regional issues, faced with a declining population, cannot be solved with just one area of expertise. What is needed now is people with the leadership skills to take a bird's-eye view of complexly intertwined issues, coordinate various experts, and lead projects.

Therefore, our university is planning to open a new "Faculty of Regional Creation, Department of Regional Creation (tentative name)" in April 2027. The core of this learning is that students do not remain in the classroom, but actually "learn in the community." This agreement is an extremely important step towards realizing this ideal. Our students will be involved in various sites in Hokuryu Town and will work with the townspeople to develop young people. In the process, we hope to contribute to solving the town's problems by utilizing the resources we have at our university, such as those in architecture, disaster prevention, and medicine."

Agreement signing and a firm handshake

The two representatives signed the agreement and exchanged firm handshakes.

commemorative photograph

The first step in co-creation revealed through the Q&A session

During the question and answer session following the signing, specific plans and background for the collaboration were discussed.

Q. What specific collaborative projects are you working on?

Mayor Sasaki:"We have one specific project in mind right away. We would like to ask the students to design a renovation for a vacant house in town."

President Kawakami:"That's a wonderful idea. If we leave it to architecture students, they can of course produce a normal, stylish house. However, as the mayor says, we may be able to come up with an interesting proposal that will 'breath the soul' and incorporate elements of art. If the students on the architecture and design teams work together, I'm sure something unique will be born. Also, by combining not only the building but also transportation experts who consider the convenience of the residents, and medical knowledge with a perspective on rehabilitation and care for the elderly, I believe we can lead to a comprehensive solution to the problem."

Q. What prompted the signing of this agreement?

President Kawakami:In fact, one of our faculty members had previously worked with Mayor Sasaki on construction-related projects. Through this connection, the mayor had the opportunity to visit our university, and the idea that "maybe we could do something interesting together with Hokuryu Town" first began to develop. We at the university were the ones who approached him.

Hearing this, there were gasps of surprise from the audience, and Mayor Sasaki and Superintendent of Education Tanaka also commented, "The Superintendent's son was also taken care of by you for a while," and "It's really strange how connections can form," revealing the deep connection between the two men in a relaxed atmosphere.

Specialized knowledge and the real world in which it can be put into practice. And the mysterious bond that connects the two. The new partnership between Hokkaido University of Science and Hokuryu Town goes beyond mere cooperation; it has begun to weave a new story of "co-creation" that nurtures the next generation of talent and the future of the region.

Commemorative photo at Himawari no Sato

After the signing ceremony, we went to the village of sunflowers in full bloom. We expressed our boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for this new story of co-creation that has begun to shine as the specialized knowledge of Hokkaido University of Science and the practical field of Hokuryu Town come together.

More Photos

Photos (33 photos) of the signing of the comprehensive partnership agreement between Hokkaido University of Science and Hokuryu Town are available here >>

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◇ ◇ Photography, editing and website management: Noboru Terauchi Writer: Ikuko Terauchi