Hokuryu Town and Hokkaido Information University Sign Comprehensive Agreement! In an era where universities are expected to collaborate with local communities

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

On Tuesday, August 6th, from 11:00, Hokuryu Town (Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki) and Hokkaido Information University (President Jun Nishihira) signed a comprehensive agreement. The signing ceremony was held in the reception room on the first floor of the Hokuryu Town Health Center.

Comprehensive Agreement between Hokuryu Town and Hokkaido Information University

Attendees introduction

Hokkaido Information University

• Jun Nishihira, President
• Takashi Abe Managing Director
• Hiroki Takizawa Executive Director

Hokuryu Town

Overview of the agreement

Chiaki Mori, councilor of the Hokuryu Town Planning and Promotion Division, gave an explanation of the background and progress of the agreement, its purpose, and the details of the collaboration.

The purpose of this comprehensive agreement is to enable Hokuryu Town and Hokkaido Information University to work together comprehensively to respond appropriately to local issues and contribute to the formation and development of a vibrant, unique, and prosperous local community.

Starting in 2022, Hokuryu Town will be hosting various events, primarily with the help of local revitalization cooperation team members. Among these, a projection mapping event was held with the cooperation of Hokkaido Information University. This connection led to an internship agreement between the two universities this year.

Through these internships, we hope to increase the number of people involved and revitalize urban development by taking into account the opinions of highly specialized young people from outside the city.

Hokkaido Information University believes that through internships, students can increase their employment options, deepen their ties with the local community, broaden their learning horizons, and connect them to their future.

Going forward, we will deepen our collaboration in various initiatives, working to revitalize local communities and resolve local issues.

Handshake to sign and conclude the agreement

Commemorative photo

Message from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"The process that led to this agreement was mediated by two people, Nobuyuki Murakami, who is now a village supporter and was a member of the local revitalization cooperation team at the time, and Yui Sasaki, who was also a member of the local revitalization cooperation team at the time. Over the past three years, they have deepened their collaboration with Hokkaido Information University and have collaborated to hold projection mapping, sky lanterns, and various other events.

Based on these projects, I met with the university president in May and asked him to allow me to continue interacting with the students.

With the next 10 to 20 years in mind, we discussed the possibility of concluding a comprehensive agreement with the university, and the president readily accepted.

"Our discussion of working together in the future has led to this agreement," said Mayor Sasaki.

Message from President Jun Nishihira

"This year, Mayor Sasaki visited the university, which gave us a good understanding of the activities of the faculty and students.

The university is considering new developments as we move towards a new era. Regarding the content of this collaboration, while universities are traditionally focused on education and human resource development, I believe that we are now in an era where collaboration with the local community is required as a future mission for universities.

We are extremely grateful to Hokuryu Town for giving us this opportunity.

In this context, I have high hopes that Hokuryu Town and our school will be able to work together as a model for university and community success. As the role of universities is changing, the mission of universities in the future will be to coexist with the community. Nurturing students together with the community within the university will be a major foundation for the future.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mayor Sasaki and all the members of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

"I believe the students will learn a variety of things among the beautiful sunflowers. I hope that with the help of the people of the town, we can provide an opportunity that will brighten the students' futures. Thank you very much," said President Nishihira.

Commemorative photo at Himawari no Sato

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, I hope that the great bond between Hokuryu Town and Hokkaido Information University will help Hokuryu Town become even more vitalized, develop even further, and shine with the mystical brilliance of a sunflower.

Other photos

Photos (29 photos) of the "Comprehensive Agreement" between Hokuryu Town and Hokkaido Information University are here >>

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