Professor Naohiko Kohtake and Project Lecturer Akihiko Nishino Receive the FY2025 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan - Science and Technology Award

Professor Naohiko Kohtake and Project Lecturer Akihiko Nishino, both affiliated with the Graduate School of System Design and Management at Keio University, have been awarded the FY2025 Science and Technology Award (Public Understanding Promotion Category) under the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan. The award was announced on April 15, 2025.

Each year, MEXT recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to research, development, and the public promotion of science and technology.
The Science and Technology Award (Public Understanding Promotion Category) is granted to those who have contributed to enhancing public understanding and interest in science and technology, particularly among youth, and those who have promoted science education and outreach within their communities.

The award recognizes Professor Kohtake and Project Lecturer Nishino for their work in "Enhancing understanding of social issue resolution through science and technology among elementary and junior high school students." Their initiative has identified highly motivated and exceptionally talented young students and nurtured their abilities through systematic educational programs in science, mathematics, and information technology. These efforts were made possible with the support of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as part of its Fostering Next-Generation Scientists Program.
The initiatives include:

・Junior Doctor Training Program KEIO WIZARD (2018-2022)
・Science and Technology Challenge Program for Next Generation, KEIO WIZARD "GLOCAL" (from FY2023 onward)

These programs target students from the 5th grade of elementary school to the 3rd grade of junior high school across Japan who are interested in areas such as space, disaster prevention, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. Through workshops involving lectures and group discussions, students experience the process of analyzing social issues and creating solutions in the Basic Course, while the Advanced Course allows them to conduct research and present their results.

The programs adopt a systems approach, encouraging students to discover, understand, think about, discuss, and communicate challenges from their immediate surroundings while grasping the broader connections. Students with diverse interests learn together, despite differences in age and academic disciplines, through an approach called "learning by coaching" in which mentors and lecturers with extensive expertise and experience support them. These programs aim to develop individuals capable of researching and implementing solutions to create the future they envision.

With support from academia, industry, and government institutions, these programs have fostered a collaborative learning community where participants from different academic backgrounds and age groups share their insights.
Approximately 400 students have graduated from the KEIO WIZARD programs between 2018 and 2024. Graduates have received high praise for their presentations and awards in competitions and academic conferences. Many continue to engage after completing their program by forming alumni groups or returning as student mentors, promoting ongoing intermural and intergenerational collaboration.

Learn more about KEIO WIZARD"GLOCAL"
https://www.tonomachi-wb.jp/juniordoctor/
（Applications for the FY2025 Basic Course are scheduled to open in June 2025.）

Comment from Prof. Naohiko Kohtake
It is a great honor to receive the prestigious MEXT Science and Technology Award. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all who have supported our efforts--my colleagues at the Keio University Frontier Research & Education Collaborative Square at Tonomachi and the Graduate School of System Design and Management, the many mentors with expertise in various fields who contributed to the learning and growth of the approximately 400 young students who participated in our programs, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, our corporate partners, Keio University leadership, the award committee members, and, above all, the students who decided to enroll in these programs.

The program recognized by this award helps students cultivate the ability to shape their ideas into tangible outcomes based on systems thinking and design thinking--starting from curiosity, progressing through understanding, critical thinking, dialogue, and translating to action. I am heartened to see so many graduates actively engaging in projects beyond what we initially envisioned, and it is especially rewarding that many now return as mentors.

Prof. Hiroshi Kato, the founding dean of the Faculty of Policy Management at Keio University, once quoted the ancient Chinese classic Guanzi:

"If you plan for a year, sow seeds. If you plan for ten years, plant trees. If you plan for a hundred years, cultivate people."

Keio University's commitment to education from elementary through higher education aligns with this philosophy. With this award, I will continue striving towards Keio's mission--to lead in education and research.

＜Profile: Prof. Naohiko Kohtake＞
After completing his graduate studies at Keio University's Graduate School of Science and Technology, Prof. Kohtake joined the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), where he was involved in the development and launch of the H-IIA rocket. Following a tenure as a research fellow at the European Space Agency (ESA), he served as a lead developer at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), overseeing software verification for the International Space Station and satellites, and collaborating with NASA and ESA. Since 2009, he has been a professor at Keio's Graduate School of System Design and Management. He has served in numerous advisory and leadership roles, including with the Japan Sport Council and Keio Yokohama Elementary School. He is director of the Keio Kids Performance Academy, a member of national research and space policy committees, chief program officer for the Space Strategy Fund, and representative director of the Space Service Innovation Lab Cooperative Association, which includes 13 university-led space ventures. He is also a visiting professor at Nagoya University and holds a Ph.D. in Media and Governance.

＜Profile: Project Lecturer Akihiko Nishino＞
Dr. Nishino completed his doctoral studies at Keio University's Graduate School of System Design and Management and holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering. In 2023, he began teaching at Ritsumeikan University and, from 2024, serves concurrently as a senior research fellow at the Space Service Innovation Lab Cooperative Association. His expertise lies in satellite technology and geospatial analysis for disaster response and climate risk assessment. He is engaged in the design and testing of early warning systems utilizing Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) across Asia and Oceania. Dr. Nishino has led numerous workshops on systems and design thinking for students, educators, corporations, and government officials, both in Japan and internationally. In 2024, he received the Paper Encouragement Award from the Japan Association for Regional Safety.