3. Specific Examples of Advancements in Academy Co-creation

Based on feedback from undergraduate and graduate students collected through surveys and meetings conducted by the Student Union and student associations, key issues relating to the renewal and use of the Learning Management System (LMS) were identified through the Plenary Council Representatives’ Meeting and discussions with the Office of Academic Affairs, leading to further consideration and pilot initiatives by the University.

Similarly, with regard to the research environment, financial support, and career development for graduate students, considerations have continued to progress firmly grounded in the actual circumstances based on feedback and survey results compiled by the Graduate Student Council, including sharing issues through the Plenary Council Representatives’ Meeting and in discussions with the Research Office and other administrative divisions.

In recent years, various improvements and pilot initiatives have been advanced through five-party discussion meetings and further discussions at the faculty, graduate school, and campus levels. Sharing the outcomes of these efforts with the undergraduate and graduate students concerned has led to tangible changes in the environments surrounding learning, research, and student life. A central principle of Academy co-creation is that the University does not simply reply or present conclusions unilaterally. Instead, drawing on feedback and concerns from undergraduate and graduate students, the University and various stakeholder groups reaffirm their respective responsibilities and roles, and share information on their deliberative processes, achievements, and remaining challenges in order to lead to further pilot initiatives and improvements.

The University also sees the Kinugasa Art Village Festival (a new initiative launched by Ritsumeikan University in AY 2025) as a means of integrating student-led activities with support and cooperation provided by the University. Initiatives such as these involve more than simply staging events. Through the processes of planning, coordination, experimentation, and refinement, they also provide students with opportunities to incorporate their interests and concerns in tangible ways.

In addition, the Ritsumeikan University Graduate School All-Campus Joint Research Exchange Meeting (a new initiative launched by the Ritsumeikan Graduate Student Council in AY 2025) was developed as a means for graduate students to interact with members of other graduate schools and campuses, expanding their research and career development networks.

While these initiatives are in line with the University’s concept of Academy co-creation, it is essential to reexamine how they relate to the Academy co-creation activities promoted by the Student Union through ongoing dialogue, taking into account the operators and objectives of each.