ZEN University Establishes First External Partnership Scholarship Program with Starbucks

ZEN University has established a new scholarship program in collaboration with Starbucks Coffee Japan Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo; hereinafter "Starbucks") for its employees (hereinafter "partners"). This is the first time ZEN University has launched such an industry-academia scholarship program with an external partner. Through this initiative, the university aims to support youth education and lifelong learning for working adults, promoting diverse career development. Enrollment for new students under this program is scheduled to begin in April 2027.

☑ Background and Significance of the Industry-Academia Scholarship Program

Currently, many young people in Japan face educational disparities and economic challenges, making sustained support an urgent necessity. Additionally, with rapid societal changes, the importance of continuous learning and skill upgrading has increased significantly. ZEN University was founded with the mission of creating an environment where "everyone, regardless of region or household income, can access higher education freely." In response to the reality that many young people are forced to give up on higher education or relearning due to regional or financial barriers, the university is tackling these challenges by offering an innovative, online-based educational environment.

This collaboration brings together Starbucks, which operates stores nationwide and employs many young people, and ZEN University, which leverages IT technology to provide high-quality education to all who wish to pursue higher learning. Sharing a common vision of creating new educational opportunities for youth across Japan, the two organizations have formalized this industry-academia partnership. Going forward, they will deepen collaboration in educational activities, leveraging each other's expertise.

☑ ZEN University’s Future: Expanding Access to Learning Opportunities

ZEN University will continue to provide flexible and diverse learning environments for young people aspiring to attend university and working professionals seeking to deepen their expertise. As part of this effort, the university will strengthen industry-academia partnerships using this program as a model, expanding educational access across the country. By further enriching its interdisciplinary curriculum and experiential programs such as problem-solving initiatives across regions, ZEN University aims to become an "optimal learning environment" where individuals can study, research, and continue activities without being limited by location. Through this, the university will support diverse career paths for youth and contribute to building a society free from regional educational disparities.

【Comment from Shihoko Fujimori, Executive Director, ZEN University】

"ZEN University was established with the goal of creating a learning environment where everyone can expand their potential. We are delighted to have launched our first external corporate partnership scholarship program with Starbucks Coffee Japan. Through this program, we will fully support Starbucks partners in pursuing academic studies without economic worries, helping them enrich and advance their careers through our educational system. In the future, we also plan to offer practical special lectures and workshops through this collaboration. We are confident this initiative will serve as a meaningful step toward a hopeful future for those aspiring to take on new challenges."

❙ About ZEN University

ZEN University leverages cutting-edge IT technology to provide access to higher education for everyone. At its sole faculty, the Faculty of Intelligent Information Society, students acquire essential literacies for thriving in a constantly changing society through a curriculum that does not focus narrowly on any single academic field. For more information, please visit ZEN University’s website or request the latest brochure.

Learn more about ZEN University ▶ https://zen.ac.jp/

Request the latest brochure ▶ https://zen.ac.jp/form

First-year achievements ▶ https://zen.ac.jp/presentation_2026/