Kitakyushu KOSEN Hosts Direct Guidance Session with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, JAL, and ANA — 'Aerospace Talent Development Program' Seminar Cultivates Next-Generation Engineers in Collaboration with Major Japanese Corporations

Seminar session (June 12 (Fri): 3rd year, Intelligent Robotics Systems Course)

Kitakyushu National College of Technology (Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture; President: Yoshiki Katayama; hereinafter 'Kitakyushu KOSEN') held the 'Spring Seminar of the Aerospace Talent Development Program' on June 12 (Fri) and June 16 (Tue), 2026, for third-year students.

This program is an industry-academia collaboration initiative involving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL), All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA), JAMCO Corporation, SUBARU Corporation, and IHI Corporation. This time, four major companies gathered at our campus, providing students with a valuable opportunity to directly learn about the cutting edge of the aerospace industry and their future career paths.

A Talent Development Program Backed by Industry-Leading Companies

The 'Aerospace Talent Development Program,' which Kitakyushu KOSEN participates in, is conducted year-round with significant cooperation from major Japanese companies supporting aircraft manufacturing and operations. For this seminar, four companies—Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, JAL, and ANA—participated, representing both manufacturing and airline operations. Representatives from their technical and HR departments passionately discussed the crucial roles that KOSEN students can play in the aerospace industry.

Students attentively listening to instructors (June 12 (Fri): 3rd year, Intelligent Robotics Systems Course)

Students attentively listening to instructors (June 16 (Tue): 3rd year, Mechanical Creation Systems Course)

Building Future Careers with Diverse Partner Companies

The first half of the program introduced the latest industry trends and each company's business strategies. In the subsequent seminar sessions, students split into small groups for active discussions on specific themes such as 'How does learning at KOSEN connect to real-world applications?'. In addition to the four participating companies, the program collaborates with world-class technical partners including JAMCO Corporation, SUBARU Corporation, and IHI Corporation, planning field trips and guest lectures by expert instructors throughout the year.

Seminar session (June 12 (Fri): 3rd year, Intelligent Robotics Systems Course)

Seminar session (June 16 (Tue): 3rd year, Mechanical Creation Systems Course)

Aiming to Cultivate Practical Aerospace Engineers

Students who participated expressed sentiments such as, 'I realized the vast scope and immense responsibility of the aerospace industry, from everyday products to massive aircraft.' Kitakyushu KOSEN will continue to work alongside these partner companies to cultivate highly skilled practical engineers who will lead the regional and national aerospace industries.

About the Aerospace Talent Development Program

This industry-academia initiative aims to cultivate future human resources for the aerospace industry and expand its talent base. Seven companies, including airlines and aircraft manufacturers, collaborate with five KOSEN schools to provide students with practical learning experiences. Through seminars with active employees, airport and factory tours, and guest lectures on specialized knowledge, the program integrates textbook theory with real-world technology. It conveys the diverse appeal of the aerospace industry to students from various academic backgrounds, fostering well-rounded future leaders.

About the Aerospace Talent Development Program

About Kitakyushu National College of Technology

Kitakyushu KOSEN's educational philosophy is 'Cultivating Pioneering Engineers Who Create a Bright Future.'

By providing holistic early engineering education, the school fosters students' engineering aptitude. Through a curriculum emphasizing experiments and practical training, it aims to develop practical and pioneering engineers who can contribute to society and industry.

◯ Educational Objectives

1. Acquire broad engineering fundamentals and creative technological development skills

2. Develop international sensibility to be respected and trusted in global society

3. Cultivate rich humanity capable of developing environmentally friendly technologies

◯ Research Objectives

1. Maintain and enhance educational standards for teaching advanced practical technologies

2. Contribute to the local community through joint research with regional industries and promote students' manufacturing education

3. Make academic contributions to specialized engineering fields

◯ Regional Contribution Objectives

1. Practice manufacturing awareness activities

2. Promote collaboration with regional industries and local governments

Exterior view of Kitakyushu KOSEN

【School Overview】

Name: Kitakyushu National College of Technology, National Institute of Technology

Address: 5-20-1 Shii, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture

President: Yoshiki Katayama

Established: 1965

Official Website: https://www.kct.ac.jp/

Business: National College of Technology, Higher Education Institution