Proprius21 Feasibility Study
Objectives
With Proprius21, we aim to produce collaborative research with visible results.
To do this, we identify the best faculty research partners for the industry partner,
narrow the scope of research (called "individual activities"),
and ensure there is a clear plan ("slot activities") before launching the
collaborative research project.
Collaborative Research that Produces Visible Results
In our experience, private companies engage in collaborative research with universities for two reasons: to ascertain and evaluate the future social environment, and to maintain and develop their global competitive edge. To realize these objectives, both parties must have a common understanding about what the results of collaborative research should be. In conventional collaborative research, this is not often the case, so achieving this goal is a major objective of Proprius21.
Exploring Research Topics
If the research topic is clear and the industry partner has already identified a faculty
researcher with whom they would like to collaborate, the research project will progress in
the same way as conventional individual collaborative research.
However, in the case where the industry partner is seeking visible results yet the scope of the
research topic has not yet been sufficiently narrowed, with Proprius21 the process starts when a
research topic exploration prospectus is submitted to the University.
Upon receipt of the prospectus, the Office of Collaborative Research Development will launch an
investigation to identify which faculty researcher best fits the needs of the particular project,
based on the prospectus. If necessary, the office will arrange a meeting with the faculty
researcher to narrow the scope of the research topic.
The University of Tokyo has over 4,000 faculty researchers engaged in interdisciplinary research,
encompassing disciplines from both the natural sciences and the humanities.
We believe that through communicating with our researchers,
we can surely identify the appropriate research topic for the needs of each industry partner.
Finding the Appropriate Research Partner
During the process of searching for research topics, private companies have the opportunity to communicate with many faculty researchers through meetings. In this way, the probability offinding the best research partner or partners in the University of Tokyo (should a company choose to work with several faculty researchers) for a company’s specific research topic is increased.
