Changes

==Innovation hub ''I= Background ===In recent years, personality tests such as MBTI have become very popular among young people because they make self-River''understanding fun and easy. At Tohoku University, many students say they “want to find what they like” or “don’t know what to focus on.” However, the current environment makes it hard to discover personal interests. Information about programs or opportunities is often scattered — students rely on social media, word of mouth, or chance encounters with seniors. As a result, motivation and access to information vary widely among students. We believe that by combining the popularity of personality tests with the needs of university students, we can create a new tool that helps students discover their type, interests, and next step within the university. That idea is TUTI — Tohoku University Type Indicator. === Challenge ===Our challenge lies in how to design and sustain a type-based support system that truly works for students. We need to explore: * How can we classify student personalities in a way that feels accurate and meaningful, not superficial?* How can we choose a platform that encourages continuous participation — something simple, accessible, and engaging?* Most importantly, how can we connect each “type” with real opportunities, such as clubs, research, or events, so that students can take tangible next steps? The success of TUTI depends on balancing psychological insight with practical design — turning self-diagnosis into self-action. === Target ===Mainly 1st–2nd year students who want to discover their interests or goals Senior students seeking opportunities or data useful for career preparation Students who are unsure what to pursue or how to start something new ==Speed Networking（2025～）==

At Tohoku UniversityEach table focuses on a specific recent topic such as “study abroad,” “research life,” “career paths, there are ” or “student projects.” An icebreaker session will be held at the beginning so everyone feels comfortable joining. This event allows students to meet professors, seniors, and active peers in a relaxed atmosphere and explore ongoing opportunities in one go. ===Target===Students who are motivated want to meet professors or seniors but feel shy in formal settings Students looking for new academic or career inspiration Professors, alumni, and student organizations interested in connecting with current students ==Hackathon（2025～）== ===Background===Many students at Tohoku University say, “I have given up trying for some reasonsideas, such as "but I want don’t know how to do somethingstart, but I don't have any ideas" ” or "I have something I “I want to docollaborate with people from other faculties or companies.” Through surveys, we found that many students are eager to try new things but I don't have any friends and there are not enough supportslack an environment or trigger to begin.  In additionJapan, the culture of design thinking has not taken root among Japanese studentsHackathon—a short, intensive event where people team up to create ideas and there seems to be a resistance to updating a single thing or idea prototypes—is still not common. We believe that by incorporating outside opinions providing an open and rethinking it repeatedly. As a result, each idea often '''ends up being a personal satisfaction'''friendly hackathon space, students can experience the excitement of creating together and not an idea that is generally recognized as useful. There is a need to incorporate design thinking as a way gain confidence to transform individual ideas into projects beneficial for societytake on challenges.

We will build a network that can connect These events focus on design thinking and help the students mentioned aboveteam idea creation around familiar topics such as “making student life more fun” or “sustainable campus. In addition” As a next step, we will establish a culture in Tohoku University plan company-collaboration hackathons where design thinking is used on a daily basisstudents tackle real-world themes like environmental or social issues together with mentors and professionals. Through this initiative, students can experience innovation firsthand and learn how to turn ideas into action.

Student organization leaders (first stage)By getting information about people who have had experiences similar to what you want, all Tohoku University students (final stage)you will hopefully be able to clarify the path you should take and make it easier to take on future challenges. If desired, it is possible to match people with role models and introduce a system that encourages face-to-face interaction. The system can be expanded in the future based on feedback from role model applicants and users. ===Target===People who can't take on a challenge

==Increase awareness with Design thinking demo workshop for studentsCreating new space in Library(2024～)==

As mentioned above===Challenge===We will create new space in library. This includes a lot of parts. For instance, in period of exams, there is a support space where supporters are. It also be a consultation counter like studying abroad, starting a business, taking on new challenges, obtaining qualifications, job hunting, etc.  By creating a place that is truly a "treasure trove of information," students can develop the culture habit of using Design Thinking has not taken root at Tohoku University"just going to the library" if they don't understand something or have any concerns. There is one of important place. It is a cafe. In order for students There used to be able a cafe here a while ago, but it was removed due to apply Design Thinking management issues. However, as seen in the current social trends, the cafe serves as a workspace. We believe that by deliberately setting up a cafe in the library, we can create a variety of "comfortable environments." Moreover, we suggest that library should have a relax space. Now, we only can read some books on the desk(like siting chair and reading), but some people want to their own activities without resistanceread in the relax space. So, we need create such a space according to promote Design Thinking not only needs. We believe that these will increase motivation to visit the current leaders but also library and help ensure that the library continues to freshmen function as a sustainable repository of information.<br /> ===Target=== People who don't visit the library much these days People who are in trouble and students have nowhere to seek advice People who are starting new projects. However, since design thinking is not being taught want to all students do something but can't move==Tohoku Night University(the event in the current curricula, we need opportunities order to make them aware the most of its necessity your university evenings)(2024～)== ===Background===We think most students of Tohoku University don't spend the evening time in this university. They also use less resources of university effectively. We believe that this situation is sad and effectivenessnot only is it a poor use of university resources.

Promote UIF organize this event, set themes and invite clubs of university. Clubs can make booths and show their performance. Organizations that provide various types of support have booths where they can talk casually with people and offer advice. Entertainment organizations have the necessary role of raising awareness of the event and effective use of design thinking to firstgenerating new interest through their performances. This will be held in 6:00pm-year 8:00pm because this is the time when all classes are over and students can freely come into contact with various cultures and those who are starting a new project, either from entrepreneurship classes or purely from their intereststhings.

First-year students and those 2.People who are starting a new project are the main goals to achieve. Exposing young students to design thinking mindset will generate a positive wave of impact throughout their 4-year journey.haven't found anything that interests them

==Sota Projects=Background===I am a member of the swimming club. One day, a foreign student came to our practice place and told us in kattered Japanese that he wanted to join the swimming club. At that time, the club's policy was not to accept him. I will never forget the sad look on his face. ===Challenge===Tohoku University has fewer international students who belong to club activities than other universities. According to university rules, international students are allowed to belong to club activities. However, in reality, many club activities do not accept international students. We believe this is because Japanese students try to avoid trouble in English communication in order to concentrate on club activities. ===Target===Communication support for both international and Japanese students and admission support for international students ==More understanding about LGBTQ+ in Tohoku University==

Sota===Challenge===Collaborating with the circle called AROW and one of the organisations called Sendai Midori to kaze no kai, which does many activities for making more comfortable environment for People who have sexual minorities. ===Target===People who want to proceed the understanding of LGBTQ+ and people who are still not familiar with it. ==Addressing Financial Strain in University Sports Clubs: The Proposal for Incorporation== ===Background=== One significant challenge faced by the university's sports clubs, particularly the Athletic Department within the Student Association, is the substantial financial burden placed on its members. In some cases, the annual expenses associated with club activities exceed the cost of tuition itself. This issue is multi-faceted, with underlying problems such as waning popularity of sports, exorbitant sports-related costs, university funding concerns, and a diminishing connection with the local community.

SotaAt Tohoku University, it can be difficult to get information sometimes. This is due to the fact that the portal site is difficult to use and information is dispersed in many different places. To solve these problems, we propose a project to effectively operate Tohoku University's official Instagram account. Since the account is currently only in English and is not well known by students, we will add content to the account to increase awareness. ===Challenge===We will create another university account and upload content that will be noticed by students. Examples include interviews with international students and photos of the university in collaboration with the Tohoku University Photography Club.

Tohoku University has a variety of support and systems for international exchange and the development of global human resources. In recognition of these, the university was also selected as a University of International Excellence. However, according to interviews with international students, we learned that international students perceive Japanese students as not actively trying to use English, not trying to understand the efforts of international students, and not speaking to them voluntarily. Interviews with student leaders of international exchange groups provided insight that Japanese students at Tohoku University are often hesitant to use English for fear of failure. Also, according to several professors, we learned that many students tend to wait to see what is going on around them before speaking up. Society often regarded Tohoku University students as "serious”. As a result of these findings, we thought it was important to improve the positive attitude of expression among Tohoku University students. ===Challenge===There are many underutilized margins on Tohoku University's campus. For example, the stairs in front of the station directly connected to the university (Tohoku University has no gate), and lawns all over campus. By using these spaces, we can pioneer and create unique events and devices to stimulate the creativity and sense of humor that other students have. And the students themselves will be able to freely express their own sensibilities. Our challenge is to create a campus where people can think, "What interesting things await me at the university today?" and "How can I entertain everyone today?" ===Target===Tohoku University student, people who hesitant to express themselves. ==Online Suggestion Box== ===Background===Based on the interviews with the students in Tohoku University, there were times when the university failed to fully understand what met students’ needs and held seminars that were less attractive to them. In order to benefit both the university and the students, we would like to set up an online suggestion box to collect students’ opinions on what kind of events and contents they want. The university can then make adjustments and organize events according to the students’ voice. ===Challenge===How to collect the data we need may be one problem. We have to first decide on what platform to use. Then in the try-out stage, after attending seminars, students are asked about the ideal events they want to join in the future. The data collected will be analyzed and sent to the faculty as a way to improve attendance. ===Target===Students who want to explore more other than topics of general academia and have a deeper insight into the field they are passionate about. Faculty that wants to attract more students to come to an event.==Career confidence== ===Background===After entering college, I am confused about my choice of department and major. It seems natural that students are interested in what they want to study, and that they cannot change their choices later on. However, when we survey students, we find that they all experience the feeling of "I don't know what I want to do. This feeling does not mean that there is nothing they really want to do, but rather that they do not know how to make choices in the face of rapidly changing interests when they imagine their future career path, major, and employment options, and that they are anxious about not knowing why they cannot make those choices. On the other hand, there were many comments such as "I want to be in a new environment" and "I want to be able to see things from different perspectives," and students are searching for both past and future choices. ===Challenge===According to the Career Development Assessment and Counseling model's readiness for career decision-making, when people make choices, they need to: know their options, have a plan, know themselves When we make a choice, we need to be able to: know our options, have a plan, know ourselves, have the ability to gather information, and have the ability to make a decision. We wanted to help in these two areas, knowing one's options and knowing oneself, by changing the environment rather than depending on the student's ability. ===Target===Students who are not confident in their chosen department or are interested in other departments. Students who think there is nothing they want to do.<br />==Campus Retreat (2022～)== ===Background=== As far as we interviewed with students in Tohoku University, we found that there are certainly some students who have a sense of disconnectedness with friends and families particularly for international students. Also we met students who have a vague and continuous concern for their future. At the same time, we lost time just for random conversation with friends as Covid damped every offline class. And we realized there are not many opportunities to get to know each other as deeply as we understand their background and personality. As a result, I came up with up an idea of creating an environments for them to speak up what they want to share and to be around other who can empathy themselves, as well as they have a break time with tea.  ===Challenge===Obviously it is hard to make them speak up what they want to share with totally strangers. This is the most difficult part when we are going to get others engage with us. But it is fun to break that. We start small and think big to make Aobayama campus innovative but supportive. The thing we are going to do is to set up weekly retreat for trials and eventually it becomes monthly events. An other challenge in the face of us is what make them feel I-river at home. In the future, this place should be a place where students can have a multicultural conversation with others. We should start with small number of peoples as well as investigating what the really need is.  ===Target=== We are targeting students who study at Aobayama campus in Tohoku University. There are lots of international students and many of them are busy with their academic works. So we would like to set up places they can stay away from their work and have a little fun with others who have same senses. <br />

==Reinvented Design Thinking Workshop==

Let students of any background know and, ultimately, familiarize themselves with the use of design thinking. Meanwhile, we must make sure that the event is made comfortable so that people can socialize. Finally, we are to make everyone find design thinking useful in their projects.

Students of any background, special attention to active students who regularly seek activities to join. Another target is a teacher that wants to introduce design thinking activities to his or her students; that can be applicable to laboratory professors who want to use a design thinking session for their research work.

All students who want to tackle new things but they do not reach out enough resources to make their plans.  .  ==Match the executor with the plan=====Background===The results of interviews show us that Tohoku University students who want to contribute to Tohoku University are decreasing as the school year progresses. So, I want to make more people who are in Tohoku University like it and feel we belong to it. Therefore, I suggest that A lot of plans that are proposed and discarded and students that want to do something new match. By this, we can make Tohoku University growing with students. ===Challenge===A lot of plans and executors match  ===Target===All people who are in Tohoku University  ==Innovation hub ''I-River(2021～)''== ===Background=== At Tohoku University, there are students who are motivated but have given up trying for some reasons, such as "I want to do something, but I don't have any ideas" or "I have something I want to do, but I don't have any friends and there are not enough supports. In addition, the culture of design thinking has not taken root among Japanese students, and there seems to be a resistance to updating a single thing or idea by incorporating outside opinions and rethinking it repeatedly. As a result, each idea often '''ends up being a personal satisfaction''', and not an idea that is generally recognized as useful. There is a need to incorporate design thinking as a way to transform individual ideas into projects beneficial for society. ===Challenge=== We will build a network that can connect and help the students mentioned above. In addition, we will establish a culture in Tohoku University where design thinking is used on a daily basis. ===Target=== Student organization leaders (first stage), all Tohoku University students (final stage) <br />

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