NEWS

In the Spring Semester of 2024, Professor Masanori Fujita from the College of International Management launched the "Production and Operations Management" course in collaboration with Omron Taiyo Co., Ltd. and Sony Taiyo Co., Ltd. The course focused on the increasingly important concept of “universal manufacturing” from the perspective of production and operations management. The efforts of Omron Taiyo and Sony Taiyo served as key examples throughout the course. Students learned how to efficiently transform essential management resources—such as people, equipment, materials, and production know-how—into products that meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.

The course covered fundamental concepts and related theories, as well as management tools for materials procurement, quality control, inventory management, operations management, and supply chains. In the 14-session course, employees from both companies participated as guest lecturers starting from the second session, sharing real-world examples. Additionally, during the course, many students visited the factories of both companies as extracurricular activities, where they learned about production lines adapted to the characteristics of disabilities and innovations aimed at creating a workplace where everyone can work comfortably. Given Beppu’s status as a tourist city, visiting cutting-edge manufacturing sites with the latest manufacturing know-how was an invaluable experience. Both companies generously shared their expertise, both in lectures and on-site, allowing students to learn about the practical application of manufacturing theories and practices.

Omron Taiyo Co., Ltd. and Sony Taiyo Co., Ltd. are joint ventures established by Beppu City’s social welfare corporation "Taiyo no Ie" and corporate investors. By hearing from employees of both companies who embody Taiyo no Ie’s philosophy of "No Charity, but a Chance!" and by visiting their workplaces, students gained hands-on experience with the D&I practices implemented at both companies. The companies also expressed their appreciation, stating, "Being able to teach university courses is a valuable opportunity for our employees, and it provides a crucial platform for students who will shape the future to seriously consider the challenges and possibilities of employing people with disabilities."

During the course, students were also asked to propose solutions to the challenge posed by both companies: "How can we ensure that employees with disabilities achieve the same level of productivity as those without disabilities?" The students worked in groups to develop ideas and, in the final lecture, presented their business plans to a panel of lecturers, including the presidents of both companies. Each company selected the group with the best proposal and encouraged the students by expressing their intention to implement the proposed ideas.

Omron Taiyo Co., Ltd – Mr. Junichiro Tsuji, President and CEO

[Impressions of the Class at APU and the On-site Visit by APU Students]
Professor Fujita's style, which emphasizes interactive discussions and deepens the understanding of the purpose and significance of the subject through real-world corporate practices rather than just classroom lectures or textbooks, is something we never imagined when we were students. I truly envy today's students. Moreover, I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students, who not only actively asked questions during class but also formed lines afterward to ask even more. Their eagerness to engage in the lessons and determination to learn from business professionals was evident.

[Impact of the Class and Initiative on Your Company and Employees]
Our employees have all expressed that having the opportunity to teach a class in front of a large number of university students as company employees was an extremely rare and valuable experience. Even the routine tasks that they usually perform without much thought needed to be reconsidered, organized, and conveyed when teaching them to others. Through this process, our employees themselves have grown significantly. As a result, not a single employee said, "I never want to stand in front of a class again."

Sony Taiyo Co., Ltd - Mr. Fumitaka Nishijima, President & CEO

[Impressions of the Class at APU and the On-site Visit by APU Students]
The students attentively listened during both the class and the on-site visit, and I could feel their sincere attitude towards learning. During the visit, I aimed to convey ideas in a way that linked our philosophy with the things that could only be seen on-site. Seeing how the class content connected with real-life practices, the students shared feedback like, "It led to a deeper understanding," which made the experience rewarding for us as well. I hope they will make the most of what they learned and apply it effectively in the real world.

[Impact of the Class and Initiative on Your Company and Employees]
It’s rare to have the opportunity to speak in front of such a large group of students, so we selected members who are at the forefront of our work and encouraged them to "convey clearly what they work on daily." This experience boosted their motivation and confidence, making the effort worthwhile despite their busy schedules. For all the members involved, it was also a great experience to encounter the diversity and excellence of APU’s campus. Let’s continue to collaborate on initiatives like DE&I in the future.