Tokushima University has established a new scholarship program funded by donations made through the Corporate Version of Hometown Tax Payment program in Ishii Town as part of the "Town, People, and Job Creation Promotion Project." On July 28th, 2026, the 2026 Award Ceremony and Exchange Meeting of Tokushima University Ishii Town Corporate Version of Hometown Tax Payment Scholarship were held at the Bio-Innovation Research Center (BIRC) on Tokushima University Ishii Campus. The event was attended by representatives from the supporting companies and local governments, as well as undergraduate and graduate students who are recipients of the scholarship.
At the opening of the event, Mr. Mito Taro, Director of the BIRC, expressed his gratitude for the support, which reflects the high expectations placed on the younger generation who will bear the future of the region. Following this, Mr. Kita Toshio, Superintendent of Education, who is Acting Mayor of Ishii Town, praised the system as "an ideal example of industry-academia-government collaboration in which companies, universities, and the administration work together to nurture the region," and offered warm encouragement to the students, saying, "Don't be afraid of failure, and always keep in mind how to engage with the region and how to use your learning to benefit the region and the world, as you pursue your studies."
Opening remarks by the organizer: Mr. Mito Taro, Director of the BIRC
Guest speech: Mr. Kita Toshio, Superintendent of Education of Ishii Town
Furthermore, Mr. Miyauchi Tomoo of Kaken Techno Co. Ltd. and Mr. Shichijo Takashi of Nisshinkikai Co. Ltd., who provided tremendous support, offered heartfelt encouragement to the young researchers, saying, "The most important resource for growing society is 'people'," and "Don't be afraid of failure, explore, and be mindful of your connections with your local community and society."
Guest speech: Mr. Miyauchi Tomoo, Board Director Sales Department Manager of Kaken Techno Co., Ltd.
Guest speech: Mr. Shichijo Takashi, Scientific Instruments Division Manager of Nisshinkikai Co., Ltd.
Following this, the award notification letter was presented to Mr. Fujie Kai (the 2nd year of the Doctoral Course, Graduate School of Science and Technology for Innovation) on behalf of the scholarship recipients. Mr. Fujie strongly expressed his determination, saying, "I will not forget my gratitude for the support and will strive to give back my research results to society." Finally, Mr. Fujimoto Masaji, Executive Director and Vice President of Tokushima University, expressed his hope that the circle of industry-academia-government collaboration that originated in Ishii Town would expand even further, and the first part of the event concluded.
Speech by the scholarship recipient representative: Mr. Fujie Kai, the 2nd year of the Doctoral Course, Graduate School
Group photo
Following the award ceremony, an exchange event was held between the scholarship recipients and the supporting companies and local governments. After presentations introducing their companies by the supporting companies, Kaken Techno Co., Ltd. and Nisshinkikai Co., Ltd., an informal discussion took place between the company representatives and the student groups.
Students engaged in cutting-edge research across a wide range of fields, including agriculture, insect production, and medical technology, on Ishii Campus shared their research, while company representatives offered advice from a business and social needs perspective. The event fostered a lively exchange of ideas in a friendly atmosphere, making it a valuable time for exploring the career development of students and the possibilities of new industry-academia collaborations.
Taking this initiative as an opportunity, our university will further enhance the development of research personnel on Ishii Campus and strive to create new bio-related industries and revitalize the local community.
Introduction of companies
Exchange of opinions
