The result of “Social and Regional Engagement of Higher Education Institutions in Japan”

This study investigates the current status and characteristics of social and regional engagement, including management aspects, relationship with government, continuing professional development and consulting services, of higher education institutions (universities and colleges) in Japan. With regards to social and regional engagement, many institutions have provided a variety of program. Especially national universities, which are often classified as comprehensive universities including sience and technology departments, have a wide range of programs in places that facilitate social and regional engagement. Many of higher education institutions have developed the organizational structure and operational management. While many national and public universities have set up incentivizing measures to encourage professors to engage with the society, many of private universities and junior colleges have yet to develop incentivizing measures. Although many national universities actively have engaged with their society, the procurement of the necessary human resource and financial capital to conduct programs is a critical challenge in the future.There were a wide variety of social and regional engagement programs run by different institutions that differ depending on institution classification, specialization, and size. Instead of standardizing these programs by applying a unified set of rules and guidelines, instituting a diverse system that reflects the unique organizational characteristics of the institution and needs of surrounding society would be more effective in developing social and regional engagement programs. By allowing institutions to devise a system that fits their schools and region, higher education institutions can facilitate more dynamic and active programs for their society and region.