Obirin University Begins Recruitment for 2nd Cohort of "Inquiry Collaborator Certification Training Bridge" to Accelerate Collaboration between High School Teachers and Diverse External Personnel! (Activity Subsidies Available)

In the practice of "inquiry-based learning" in high schools, students' learning environments are connecting from school to society, and opportunities for high school teachers to create inquiry programs in collaboration with diverse external personnel are increasing. Obirin University (Machida City, Tokyo; President: Hiroaki Hatayama) established the "Inquiry Collaborator Certification Training Bridge" in 2025, a program designed for high school teachers and diverse external personnel to create new inquiry collaboration programs through nine months of training and collaboration. Following the successful first cohort, which produced 48 certified inquiry collaborators with continuous support from the Mitsubishi Mirai Ikusei Foundation, the second cohort of this teacher training and leadership development program, which promotes active and collaborative learning, is now starting.

This is a practical, nine-month training program centered around in-person workshops to be held at Obirin University's Shinjuku Campus from August 11 to 13, 2026. Participants can earn certification as an "Inquiry Collaborator" by implementing new inquiry collaboration programs developed through the training in high school settings and attending the certification reporting session.

First Cohort Inquiry Collaborator Certification Reporting Session ・Dates: August 11 (Tue/Holiday) - 13 (Thu), 2026 (3 days) ・Time: Doors open 9:30, 10:00-18:00 (ends 17:00 on the last day) ・Location: Obirin University Shinjuku Campus, 3-23-1 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073 ・Target Participants: (1) Bridge Teacher Course (high school teachers) 30 people (2) Bridge Partner Course (diverse external personnel interested in education) 30 people ・First Deadline: May 17 (Sun), 2026 *Final Deadline: May 31 (Sun) ・Information Session: Online via Zoom: May 10 (Sun), 2026, 19:00-20:00 ・Activity Subsidies: ① Travel subsidy for August in-person workshop: 10,000 yen (incl. tax) flat rate ② Accommodation subsidy for August in-person workshop: up to 10,000 yen (incl. tax) x max 2 nights ③ Practical subsidy for collaborative implementation: up to 10,000 yen (incl. tax) per group ・Application Page: https://discova.jp/program-teacher/26bridge/

Program Content (1) Online Introduction: ・Video viewing and report submission: Approx. 3 hours ・Course-specific online session (Partners): July 11 (Sat) 19:00-21:00 ・Course-specific online session (Teachers): July 12 (Sun) 19:00-21:00 ・Online Orientation: August 2 (Sun) 19:00-21:00 (2) In-person Workshop: 3-day practical training program for creating collaboration August 11 (Tue) - 13 (Thu) 10:00-18:00 *Expected to end at 17:00 on the last day (3) Collaborative Practice: Preparation for implementing inquiry collaboration programs in high school settings as a team, through repeated online overall meetings ・September 27 (Sun) 19:00~20:30 ・October 25 (Sun) 19:00~20:30 ・November 29 (Sun) 19:00~20:30 ・December 6 (Sun) 10:00-17:00 ・January 24 (Sun) 19:00~20:30 ・February 21 (Sun) 19:00~20:30 *Recordings will be shared if unable to attend (4) Certification Reporting Session: Share achievements and learning, and get certified as an Inquiry Collaborator March 13 (Sat) 12:00-18:00

Instructors Instructors of the Inquiry Collaborator Certification Training "Bridge"

Grant Mitsubishi Mirai Ikusei Foundation 2025・2026 Grant Program Category 5 Teacher training and leadership development program for practicing active and collaborative learning (learning that drives the engine of the heart)

Organizer Obirin University Admissions Department Obirin University upholds "fostering global citizens based on Christian spirit" as its founding principle. To embody this founding spirit, it has focused on educational research activities centered on language and international education since its establishment. The goal is for each student to acquire high-level proficiency in a language other than their mother tongue, ensure a systematic and specialized learning based on their interests and concerns, and cultivate the qualities to lead a fulfilling life and succeed in a global society. To achieve this goal most effectively, the university has established an educational system based on a cluster system, offering distinctive education in seven clusters.

Location: 3758 Tokiwa-cho, Machida City, Tokyo President: Hiroaki Hatayama