Students' Voices - liberal arts

2nd year, Faculty of Law

Daiki Nakamura

Entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business; it is also a way to achieve what you want to do.

Course History

• Idea Battle 2nd (2022)
• Entrepreneurship Career Design (2021)
• Entrepreneurship Career Design (Student Committee Member) (2022)

Comment

I think everyone has dreams and things they want to do, such as ”I want to go to space,” ”I want to travel the world,” and ”I want to buy a Lamborghini.” What should we do when we seriously want to realize these goals? It happened in a certain lecture at QREC. A Boston entrepreneur who came as a guest lecturer that day asked me about my dreams, and when I told him about a grandiose dream that was unlikely to come true, I said, ”In order to make it a reality, what do I need to do first?” Do you think so?” he asked. I still remember how surprised I was when he looked straight at me with a serious look on his face, as if telling me that my dream would definitely come true.

When many people hear the word entrepreneurship, they immediately think of the word entrepreneurship. I was the same. However, this word had a great meaning, representing a body of knowledge that required another kind of “action.” I realized this after experiencing many QREC activities. Whatever you want to achieve is fine, the important thing is to take action. To put it more simply, I think entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business, it’s a trick to achieving what you want. Why not try finding entrepreneurship for yourself to do what you want to do?

Graduate School of Integrated Frontier Sciences, Department of Kansei Science, 1 year

Kazuya Iwai

I also met important people who inspired me and engaged in friendly competition.

Course History

• Self-discovery for career design (2022)
• Applied Entrepreneurship Organization (2022)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Strategic Theory (2022)
• Innovation Management (2022)
• New Business Creation (2022)
• Social Entrepreneurship (2022)
• Entrepreneurship Career Design (2022)
• Idea Evaluation (Advanced) (2022)
• Kyusoukai (2022)

Comment

The opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and put it into practice by participating in QREC subjects and projects will surely enable everyone to ”see the scenery we have seen up until now” from a different perspective. .

This is because QREC’s teachers, instructors, supportive staff, and students all come from a variety of backgrounds, and we are able to interact with people who have different perspectives from our own, regardless of faculty, graduate school, nationality, gender, age, etc. Because QREC provides an environment that allows us to transcend and learn from each other. Learning about entrepreneurship is by no means a necessary skill for only those who want to or are interested in starting a business. I feel that these skills are necessary for students who will continue to work with society both now and in the future.

I was also fortunate to have the opportunity to be selected as one of the first Kyusoukai students. Kyusoukai is a place where you can grow as a person and as an entrepreneur. Through my mentoring with Kyusoukai members and my involvement with selected Kyusoukai students, I not only had the opportunity to think about how we can move forward together with society through business from a long-term perspective, but also I learned that it is possible to continue to grow even further.

By participating in QREC subjects, projects, and events, I not only learn a lot from the people involved, but also meet important people who inspire me and help me improve.

Students, please take part in QREC subjects and projects and learn a lot about entrepreneurship!

Bachelor of Education PERSOL PROCESS & TECHNOLOGY Co.

Ryota Yama

I was able to acquire basic knowledge to take on new challenges and work.

Course History

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship (2019)
• Ideas Lab I (2019)
• Ideas Lab II (2019)
• Technology Marketing Game (2019)
• Entrepreneurship Career Design (Student Commitee Member) (2019)
• Idea Battle (2019)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Organization Science (2022)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Strategic Theory (2022)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Marketing (2022)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Accounting and Finance (2022)
• Applied Entrepreneurship Marketing (2022)
• Applied Entrepreneurship Organization (2022)

Comment

I found the QREC lectures more exciting than other classes. It was fun to collaborate with various people in group work, and it was also gratifying to receive proper feedback on our presentations. It was also inspiring to hear people who are running successful businesses talking about what they dreamed about, what they were wondering about, and what decisions they made. Of course, it was not only fun, but I also think it was meaningful for me because I was able to take on new challenges and gain basic knowledge for my work.

If you’re like me, when you pick up a QREC pamphlet, you probably look at it thinking how amazing and cool it is, and QREC never betrays that sense of elation. Please find lots of interesting lectures.

School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, 2nd year

Chen Yixuan

The class "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" was my first introduction to the unknown field of entrepreneurship.

Course History

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship (2021)
• Co-creation Practice with Industry on Ideathon / Hackathon (2021)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Organization Science (2022)
• Applied Entrepreneurship Organization (2022)
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (2022)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Accounting and Finance (2022)
• Entrepreneurship Career Design (2022)
• Medical Entrepreneurship Workshop (2022)

Comment

When we think of starting a business, we often think of facing challenges and obstacles. Many students, including myself, initially thought, ”There’s no need for me to take such a class since I’m not thinking about starting a business at the moment.” However, my strong curiosity led me to luckily connect with the field of entrepreneurship. A class called ”Introduction to Entrepreneurship” that I took in my first year was my first introduction to the unknown field of entrepreneurship. There, I found myself fascinated by the vast amount of knowledge behind entrepreneurship. There are so many unknown areas waiting for us. For example, there are many areas such as strategic marketing, business judgment, risk management, etc. I also believe that the vast amount of knowledge behind starting a business can be applied not only to companies, but also to individuals to some extent. For example, SWOT analysis, which is often used to formulate a group’s growth strategy and analyze competitors, can also be applied to individuals to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. I believe that the knowledge and ideas I have accumulated regarding entrepreneurship during my university days will definitely point me towards a long path of self-improvement. Finally, I would like to thank all the teachers at QREC for providing such wonderful and valuable lectures and programs.

School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, 1st year

Hiroka Yamamoto

Teachers and other participants will be kind enough to help you with any issues, no matter how small.

Course History

• Entrepreneurship Career Design (Student Committee Member) (2022)
• Co-creation Practice with Industry on Ideathon / Hackathon (2022)
• Entrepreneurial Experience Program (QSHOP) (2022)

Comment

I became interested in QREC because I wanted to have a different experience, and I was able to absorb a lot of things over the past year.
Many of QREC’s classes are active and practical, allowing you to learn in a homely atmosphere. Additionally, the students are from a wide range of ages, and there are many international students, so you can gain knowledge in a variety of fields through dialogue. QSHOP in particular faced many challenges, such as running the company, but thanks to the kindness of the teachers and other participants who listened to me, no matter how small, I was able to complete the project with a positive attitude. In addition, I was able to learn about the weight of responsibility and management through practical experience, and I was also able to learn about my own weaknesses and how society works.

You may be nervous when you hear the terms QREC and entrepreneurship, but regardless of whether you have the intention of starting a business or not, this content is sure to provide meaningful results in your career choices. I myself am still undecided about my future, but I would like to continue to deepen my practical learning at QREC and expand my horizons by connecting myself and society.

B.A. in Human Environment, Designer (Content Integration Center - CIC), Nomura Co., Ltd.

Shodai Yamagishi

One step leads to an opportunity to expand one's own possibilities.

Course History

• Idea Battle 1st (2017, 2019, 2021)
• Idea Battle 2nd (2018, 2020)
• Challenge & Creation (C&C) (2022) Excellence Award Winner

Comment

I participated in the S.I.P program every year for six years from when I was a first-year undergraduate until I graduated, and with the support I received, I took on the challenge of realizing my ideas.
For me, I feel that S.I.P is a place that gives me a chance to put ideas into action and connect them to the real world, even if I come up with an idea that seems to be lost on my own. .
My own efforts have not been consistent from the beginning, and although my ideas have changed over and over again, I have received support each time, leading to the current social implementation.
I believe that by just taking that first step of participating in the program, your ideas and your own possibilities will expand endlessly!

School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, 2nd year

Takehiro Fukuda

The thinking required to start a business is necessary for any career path.

Course History

• Entrepreneurship Career Design (2022)
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship (2023)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Strategic Theory (2023)
• Grobal Seminar (English) (2023)
• Entrepreneurship Career Design (Student Committee Member) (2023)

Comment

It all started when I happened to learn about a lecture on “Entrepreneurship Career Design” when I was in my first year. At first, I took it out of curiosity, but I found it interesting that the class format was different from a typical lecture format, and included a workshop-like format, and the student committee invited lecturers to design the classes. There were so many things that drew me in. The Japanese translation of the word “entrepreneurship” is “entrepreneurial spirit,” and QREC’s courses are recommended not only for those who aim to start a business, but also for those who do not want to start a business. There are many subjects available. I believe that the way of thinking required when starting a business is something that you will need no matter what career you pursue, so if you are even slightly interested, please register for the course! By the way, my recommended subject is Entrepreneurship Career Design, which I became a student committee member for in 2023!

School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, 2nd year

Sayuri Okabe

Students can learn from the basics to practice in a total of 8 classes.

Course History

• Basic Entrepreneurship Strategic Theory (2023)
• Practical introduction to Data Science (2022)
• Entrepreneurship Career Design (Student Member) (2023)
• Idea Battle (2023)

Comment

I wanted to learn about data science quickly, so I took “Practical introduction to Data Science” in my first year. In a total of 8 classes, I was able to learn everything from the basics to practice, and was able to grasp the overall picture of data science. Knowing at least one programming language will help you jump on the bandwagon that data science is attracting attention.
Also, after interning at a VC company, I had many opportunities to think about ways to expand my business, and although you can acquire knowledge on the internet and in books, I wanted to learn it systematically, so I decided to study entrepreneurship and strategy theory. I am taking the “Basic” course. Each class is a lot of fun because the lecture format is based on actual company data and considers the strategies of each company. It is recommended for those who are interested in starting a business, as you will be able to acquire skills that will be useful when thinking about a business plan.

School of Law B1

Nakayama Madoka

I learned about AI and the industries that are adapted to today's society.

Course History

• Entrepreneurship Career Design（2023）

Comment

Being from the countryside, I have not had much experience learning about AI, so I am glad that I could learn about AI and the industries that are relevant to today’s society in this class. What I was most interested in in this class was entrepreneurship. In the countryside, there is still a strong conservative mindset and a tendency for people to believe that “the stakes are high. However, I thought it was very good that the lecturers in this class had a positive view of the challenge of starting a new business. I am very glad that I was able to attend this class because I think this is a way of thinking that I would never have been exposed to if I had not come to Kyushu University. I was also surprised that many of the lecturers were actively involved in club activities, job hunting, programming, and other activities from their student days. I am glad that I was able to receive such stimulation because I had been a bit lazy and relaxed since I had successfully entered university.

The 21st Century Program B4

GAKU NOGUCHI

This is a warm place

Course History

• Basic Entrepreneurship Strategic Theory（2016）
• Basic Entrepreneurship Marketing（2016）
• Practical introduction to Data Science（2020）
• Kyusoukai（2023）

Comment

ここは温かい場所だ。熱望する者にとって、他者はライバルでもなければ、対立し敗北すべき相手でもない。私はあなたの可能性であり、あなたは他の誰かの可能性なのだ。私たちはこのことを理解している集団なのだ。一言で言えば、心理的に安全な環境と抽象化できるが、彼らの良さを奪ってしまうので安易には使いたくない。そう思わせてくれる人たちが集まる場所が、九創会なのだ。

School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation B3

Takaesu Kaori

I found what I really want to do.

Course History

• Idea LabⅠ（2021）
• Self-Discovery for Career Design（2023）
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp（2023）
• Idea Battle（2023）
• Kyusoukai（2023）

Comment

Meeting Kyusokai helped me find what I really want to do. At Kyusokai, I was able to share not only the projects I wanted to work on, but also life advice and worries, and it became an important place for me. When I applied for the program, I was worried about whether or not I would be selected, but as I went through the selection interviews, I could clearly see the problems I was facing and how to solve them, and we had a very enjoyable conversation at the final interview. I was able to participate in the mentoring without any problems, although I had to participate online because my study abroad program and the Kuusokai fell on the same day. I was able to participate in the mentoring without any problems. I learned a lot from the real entrepreneurs who spoke at the mentoring, and it really boosted my motivation to start my own business. Before applying to the KuSoukai, I had a lot of trouble verbalizing what I really wanted to do, but I was able to give shape to my ideas by interviewing senior students and QREC professors who had actually been selected for the program, and I was successfully selected. If you are wondering whether to apply or not, please do not think alone. By doing so, I believe you will be able to gradually give shape to your thoughts. I look forward to meeting all of you who will be in the third term!

School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation B4

Sabrina Suhaimi

For being the catalyst of change in my life.

Course History

• Global Seminar (English) 2022
• Innovation Management (2022)
• Digital Fabrication Tutorial (2023)
• Co-creation Practice with Industry on Ideathon / Hackathon (2022)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Accounting and Finance (2022)
• Basic Entrepreneurship Strategic Theory (2022)
• Self-discovery for career design (2022)
• SDGs Entrepreneurship (2022)
• Idea Battle 2nd (2022)
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (2023)
• Challenge & Creation（2023）

Comment

Entering the world of entrepreneurship was a leap I took not just with ambition, but with the desire to transform my dreams into tangible realities. My journey began with a quest for understanding—the intricate dance of trial, error, and experimentation that entrepreneurship embodies. What is entrepreneurship? What are the different stages of a start-up? QREC didn’t merely serve as an academic cornerstone; it was the crucible that forged my resolve, teaching me the importance of design thinking, the necessity of interconnectedness within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the value of engaging with all stakeholders.

Belief in an idea, I learned, is merely the starting point. True progress demands action. The courses provided the framework, and the funding offered a stepping stone, but it was up to me to take the courageous next steps. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely path, marked by moments of doubt and isolation, yet the passion and fire within must remain undimmed.

QREC has been more than an institution to me—it’s been a family, a home away from home. It challenged me to strive for excellence, not just competence. Thank you for all the financial assistance to get my projects up and running, and advice along the way. I am immensely grateful to all the professors and staff at QREC; your unwavering support has been indispensable. As I continue on this journey, your cheers and encouragement will be my guiding light.

For those interested in witnessing the fruits of this journey, I invite you to take a look at my projects at:

Deat: deatjapan.com
READILY 冷デリー: reideli.com

If you are interested to connect, feel free to find my on LinkedIn or any other platforms I may be on!

Thank you, QREC, for being the catalyst of change in my life.