Okayama University Holds Exchange of Opinions with Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology on Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration ~ Exploring the Possibilities of Broad Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Utilizing the Insights of 'Matching HUB' ~

June 13, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University

◆ Overview National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Nassu) held an exchange of opinions on June 11, 2026, with JAIST President Minoru Terano and Senior URA Shinji Mori visiting the university. The exchange focused on the initiatives of 'Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform (OI-Start)', which the university serves as the secretariat, and the industry-academia-government-finance collaboration event 'Matching HUB' implemented by JAIST.

On that day, the group first visited the Co-Creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE, kibinove) on the university's Tsushima Campus and toured facilities supporting the university's industry-academia-government collaboration and co-creation activities, including the cryo-plasma FIB-SEM device 'Arctis' for cryo-tomography, the 4th-floor Industry-Academia Co-Creation Lab, and the 5th-floor Connect Studio.

Afterward, an exchange of opinions was held with university staff, followed by a meeting with President Yasutomo Nassu to further discuss the direction of future industry-academia-government collaboration.

At the exchange of opinions, JAIST introduced the initiatives and achievements of the 'Matching HUB' industry-academia-government-finance collaboration event, which has been conducted in the Hokuriku region for over 10 years. The event brings together diverse entities such as companies, universities, government agencies, and financial institutions to promote the creation of new value through 'meetings' and 'dialogues' among participants, with a focus on cross-industry matching. It was explained that this connects the needs of regional companies with university research seeds, leading to the development of joint research and the creation of new businesses.

On the other hand, the university introduced the initiatives of 'Open Innovation Match Up', centered around AI and DX, and the achievements of industry-academia-government collaboration events implemented by OI-Start. Additionally, the concept of the 'Regional Vision Promotion Platform', aimed at human resource development, reskilling, and regional issue resolution, was explained. Active exchanges of opinions were held on the possibilities of implementing an 'Okayama version of Matching HUB' and the approach to broad industry-academia-government collaboration with the Seto Inland Sea region in mind.

Okayama University is advancing initiatives where the region and the university work together to lead social change as part of the 'Promotion of Strengthening Regional Core and Characteristic Research Universities (J-PEAKS)'. Taking this exchange of opinions as an opportunity, the university aims to further strengthen collaboration with diverse entities in industry, academia, government, and finance, accelerate the social implementation of research results and the resolution of regional issues, and enhance its functions as a regional core university as envisioned by J-PEAKS.

Furthermore, OI-Start is accepting membership applications from companies, organizations, and individuals interested in innovation creation through industry-academia-government collaboration. Those interested are encouraged to consider participating in OI-Start.

We look forward to your continued support for the initiatives of Okayama University and OI-Start, an open regional core and characteristic research university.