This detailed explanation covers the "Direction for National University Corporation Facilities Development in Fiscal 2025" formulated by MEXT's National University Corporation Facilities Development Study Group, outlining priority issues and specific development policies for future university facilities.
This report presents specific directions for fiscal 2025 facilities development toward formulating the 6th Five-Year Plan for National University Corporation Facilities Development (fiscal 2025-2029). To address diversifying and increasingly complex social challenges including declining birthrate and aging population, regional social deterioration due to shrinking working population, and intensifying frequent large-scale natural disasters from climate change, national university corporations must strengthen their functions as "centers of knowledge and human resources."
Priority facilities development includes long-life measures for facilities built in the 1965-1975 period showing advancing deterioration. These facilities, over 50 years old since construction, face serious safety and functionality issues requiring urgent systematic renovation and renewal. Additionally, energy conservation and renewable energy introduction toward carbon neutrality, strengthening disaster prevention and mitigation functions, and developing research environments supporting innovation creation are positioned as important pillars.
Furthermore, to respond to new post-COVID educational and research styles, facilities development will promote creating learning environments utilizing digital technology, inclusive facility design accessible to diverse students and researchers, and open campus development promoting regional collaboration.
The article concludes that this facilities development represents important investment strengthening national university corporations' education and research functions, contributing to Japan's knowledge-based society development and regional revitalization.