Education and Research Results
Event Record
【Symposium】“Connecting Doctoral Knowledge to Society: A Career Symposium—Exploring the Potential of Doctoral Talent with Private Universities and the SPRING Program” was jointly held by Sophia University and Aoyama Gakuin University.
Approximately 120 participants from industry, government, and academia gathered to discuss the societal implementation of doctoral talent, including those in the humanities.
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Sophia University (hereinafter referred to as “the University”) jointly hosted the “Career Symposium: Connecting Doctoral Knowledge to Society – Exploring the Potential of Doctoral Talent with Private Universities and the SPRING Program” with Aoyama Gakuin University and Akariq Inc. at Aoyama Gakuin University (Aoyama Campus).
Approximately 120 participants, including university representatives, private sector representatives, students, and government officials, attended both in-person and online. The event featured presentations by organizations leading efforts to promote the advancement of doctoral talent, such as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Fujitsu Limited, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., and Toggle Holdings Co., Ltd. Additionally, selected students from both universities delivered research presentations, fostering in-depth discussions on the potential for doctoral talent with advanced specialized knowledge to contribute to society.
Background of the Event
Promoting the active participation of doctoral researchers with advanced expertise and capabilities has become an urgent priority for enhancing Japan’s scientific and technological capabilities and fostering innovation. Particularly as support for doctoral students expands through initiatives like the “Next Generation Researchers’ Challenging Research Program (SPRING)” by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), significant challenges have emerged: how doctoral students can contribute their research to society, and how industry can leverage the specialized expertise and research-honed skills of doctoral talent. Consequently, expanding career paths for doctoral talent is gaining attention.
This symposium was held through collaboration between our university and Aoyama Gakuin University, both selected for the SPRING program. It aimed to foster students’ career perspectives and promote corporate understanding, focusing not only on science and engineering fields but also on the potential of doctoral talent in the humanities and social sciences (liberal arts), where diverse career paths are often perceived as less visible.
Program Details and Highlights
1. Keynote Speeches
The keynote session began with Mr. Teppei Nakamura, Director of the Human Resources Policy Promotion Office, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), speaking from a policy-making perspective. He explained the environment surrounding doctoral talent and the challenges they face. Subsequently, three speakers from private companies took the stage. Drawing on their practical experiences and perspectives from the hiring frontlines, they introduced initiatives to promote the active participation of doctoral talent within their respective companies and discussed key evaluation points for such talent.
◎ Mr. Hidekazu Koshi, Senior Manager, R&D Human Resources Department, Employee Success Division, Fujitsu Limited
◎ Ms. Saori Yabumoto, Senior Researcher, Organization & Human Resources Strategy Division (also serving in the Future Co-creation Group), Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
◎ Mr. Masaru Shintani, Executive Officer and Chief People Officer (CPO), Toggle Holdings Co., Ltd.
Keynote Address by Mr. Teppei Nakamura, Director of the Human Resources Policy Promotion Office, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
2. Research Presentations by Selected Students from Sophia University and Aoyama Gakuin University
A total of six SPRING doctoral students selected from both universities (three from our university) took the stage. They delivered presentations carefully crafted to communicate their research effectively to non-specialists. During their presentations, they shared not only their research but also their thoughts on what they gained from participating in the SPRING program and their future career aspirations. While many doctoral career events tend to focus more on students conducting research in STEM fields, this event also featured presentations by students engaged in research within the humanities and social sciences.
All six doctoral students in the humanities and sciences delivered presentations
3. Panel Discussion
The panel discussion featured the four keynote speakers joined by students from our university and Aoyama Gakuin University. From multiple perspectives, they discussed the greatest appeal and value of doctoral talent, methods for further communicating this appeal, and ways to support the success of doctoral graduates.
During the panel discussion, opinions regarding doctoral talent were exchanged from both industry and academia perspectives
4. Networking Session
Many participants stayed for the networking session after the event, exchanging information on various topics, particularly regarding doctoral talent. Doctoral students commented, “It was very insightful to learn industry perspectives on doctoral talent,” while HR representatives from private companies stated, “Our understanding of doctoral talent deepened. We want to actively create opportunities for engagement.” The session became a vibrant networking opportunity.
Numerous stakeholders participated in the networking event, where lively information exchange and interaction took place
Participation Record and Feedback
・Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
・Location: Aoyama Gakuin University, Aoyama Campus
・Number of Participants: Approximately 120 total (59 in-person, 60 online)
・Participant Profile: Undergraduate to doctoral students, private sector HR/R&D personnel, university faculty/staff, government ministry officials
Post-event surveys and feedback from attendees included comments such as: “The opportunity for industry, academia, and government to gather and discuss together is valuable in itself, but I particularly appreciated the effort to involve students in the discussions.” and “Topics concerning doctoral talent in the humanities and social sciences rarely come up, so it was very helpful to have them consciously addressed.” “The environment surrounding doctoral talent, measures for utilizing doctoral talent, the connection between research and work, concrete examples of utilizing doctoral talent, and guidelines were all presented very clearly. Combined with the students’ real opinions, it allowed for a concrete understanding.”