Regional Project Internship
(From the third year onwards)
Regional Project Internship
Addressing real-world "problems"
Department of Policy Design places great emphasis on developing "problem-solving skills." While society faces a wide variety of problems, those related to local communities are considered among the most challenging due to their complexity and the often lacking skills and resources necessary for their resolution.
To cultivate practical problem-solving skills for such issues, students learn various theories and current situations from their first year, and then conduct this practical training based on that foundation. In the regional project practical training, students are given problems actually faced by local businesses, municipalities, and society (not problems prepared specifically for students) and are asked to work on solving them themselves. Over the course of a year, they will go from basic learning to research and consideration, and move towards a solution.
What's important here is that, in addition to analyzing and discussing issues within the university, we aim to find solutions in collaboration with companies and local governments. Tackling problems with no clear answers is extremely difficult, and these projects are passed down to younger students across academic years. It's a challenging task, but it's an essential program for experiencing the realities of problem-solving and developing genuine problem-solving skills. Tohoku Gakuin University can offer this program because it is trusted and relied upon by the people of the local community. Take advantage of this fortunate environment and hone your ability to act responsibly.
Internship Report
2025 "Future Quest Project"
This year's regional project internship, titled "Future Quest Project," was conducted with the cooperation of the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Division of the Sendai City Economic Affairs Bureau and the Miyagi Prefecture Environmental and Lifestyle Department's Inclusive Society Promotion Division. The project focused on promoting women's empowerment and aimed to foster understanding and dissemination of information about excellent local companies. While work is a major concern for students, it is also a significant challenge for local industries and administration in terms of employment and securing human resources to support the region. The goal of this project was to clarify students' awareness of this issue, understand the perspectives of industry and administration, and formulate recommendations.
Through conducting surveys, research and exchanges of opinions with companies and government agencies, planning events, and co-planning events hosted by the prefecture, we strived to deepen our understanding of this issue and disseminate information by learning on our own and sharing what we learned. Two representatives (Seina Mugisawa and Akari Takagi) reported and made recommendations to the prefecture, and this year's internship has concluded. Based on these results, we plan to implement an even larger-scale program next year.
overview
- Survey on attitudes towards work
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- A survey on attitudes towards work was conducted, primarily among students in Department of Policy Design.
- Planning and implementation of a lecture series on women's empowerment (July 31, 2025)
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- We welcomed Mr. Hayama, President of Palette Co., Ltd., a company that embodies the "win-win-win" philosophy of Sendai, to give a lecture on working styles in today's era.
- Survey of local businesses
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- We conducted research on outstanding companies that are continuing unique initiatives in their respective regions. The research results were presented in lectures and other settings, and were made known to students in this department.
- Surveying companies:
- Palette Co., Ltd., Wasshoi Lab Co., Ltd., Miyagi Consumers' Cooperative, Selecty Co., Ltd., Yamaichi Real Estate Co., Ltd., Best Parts Co., Ltd.
- Planning and conducting bus tours
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- We planned a bus tour organized by the Miyagi Prefectural Government's Environmental and Lifestyle Department's Gender Equality Promotion Division, and visited companies, conducting workshops and other activities (September 16, 2025).
- A review of the bus tour and an introduction to the companies (student research reports and company presentations) were conducted during the lecture, followed by an exchange of opinions (October 31 and November 17, 2025).
- We planned and held an event to introduce outstanding companies in the Sendai area (January 15, 2026).
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- In connection with the Sendai City Economic Affairs Bureau's Sendai Four-Way Good Company Award system, an event was held to exchange opinions on what makes excellent companies excellent.
- Surveying companies:
- Selecty Co., Ltd., Yamaichi Jisho Co., Ltd., Best Parts Co., Ltd.
- Proposal submitted to the Miyagi Prefectural Government's Environmental and Lifestyle Department, Gender Equality Promotion Division, regarding the promotion of women's empowerment and bus tours.
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- We prepared a report on this year's initiatives and made recommendations.
FY2025 "Future Quest ~A Journey to Find Your Ideal 'Job' and 'Lifestyle'~" Project Activity Report (PDF: 3.8MB)
