undergraduate - QREC 九州大学ロバート･ファン /アントレプレナーシップ･センター

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?

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.

When I was in my first year, I happened to take QREC’s ”Introduction to Entrepreneurship” course, which I happened to hear was easy, and that’s how I learned about the world of entrepreneurship and startups for the first time. This class changed my university life into something completely different.
QREC offers many courses, but even if you are unable to attend the entire intensive lecture on Saturdays and Sundays, they are flexible enough to allow you to attend the lecture, and they offer courses such as ”En-career” (abbreviation for entrepreneurship and career design). Many of the courses are held at times that would not overlap with other classes, so there are many opportunities to learn. Also, in QREC classes, there are many opportunities to interact with people from other faculties and other universities, and it is also a place where you can meet interesting university students who are doing something new. In fact, I am still connected and meet up with people from other universities who I teamed up with at Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. At QREC, we not only have lecture-style classes, but we also hold workshops and training sessions where you can actually conduct market research, create prototypes, and discuss with your team what you have learned in the lectures. There are quite a few. Also, the teachers are very supportive, and I think QREC has the best environment for people who have a clear idea of what they want to do. Even if you are not sure what you want to do, I think you will be able to get a hint of what you want to do through the stimulation and meeting a variety of people at QREC.

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!

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.

QREC is a dojo to test your abilities. I’m late to introduce myself. I am Riki Yamagami, a.k.a. Ricky. Let me quickly tell you about QREC. In a word, it is a dojo where you can test your mettle. You have thought about what you want to do or what you are interested in, but you don’t know what to do. QREC is the dojo for you. Why dojo? You need to actively communicate with professors, students, external lecturers, and staff members to create your ideas. QREC will do its best to support you from the initial action until you give shape to your idea. Well, of course, there are those who do nothing. People who do nothing are what is commonly called “conscious people,” and I personally dislike them. Well, I am not so smart as to create a company as a 20th birthday present to myself. If you are interested in what I am doing at the company, please search for Riki Yamagami on Facebook and contact me. Finally, there are some pretty sophisticated and interesting students lurking in the QREC community, as well as in our classes. We invite you to take a look into QREC’s classes and community as well.

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。

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!

Can you engage in dialogue and immersion? As the theme of the meeting suggests, KuSoukai is the best place for me, a person who is driven by an awareness of the issues facing the world, to be able to immerse myself in my own issues while being stimulated through dialogue with mentors and members.
Dialogue with unique members who have different issues to solve not only gives you a chance to discover new aspects of your own issues that you could not see on your own, but it also provides an opportunity to encounter things you did not know before. In addition, being in an environment where you have someone you can talk to about your issues will give you the courage to try your best at what you want to do, and you will move forward much more powerfully than if you were to work alone.
Finally, Kyusokai is a place where you can be who you want to be and aim to be who you want to be. There are no easy mistakes or failures in Kyusokai. We support each other’s members who are fully committed to what they aspire to, and we all aim to shine with the colors of our hearts.

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.

I first learned about QREC when I spoke with the representative of the QSIP. I was interested in tea, so I was introduced to the QREC idea battle, and in the first semester of my sophomore year, my project was accepted with the theme of “creating a system to remotely manage frost protection fans”. I was able to get a glimpse of the skills and manners I will need when I enter the workforce, while doing something I love.
Some people start with classroom learning and others with hands-on experience, but I think that I gain input more efficiently if I experience and act first rather than think, so I recommend Idea Battle, Challenge & Creation, and Digital Fabrication Tutorial.
I think there are few other universities where you can learn entrepreneurship in a systematic way like at QREC. Whether you want to start a business in the future or not, you will be able to learn how organizations should be, how to be aware of problems, and how to solve them, which will be useful in the future.

Students' Voices - undergraduate

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

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

Even if you are not sure what you want to do, you can get inspiration from QREC and meet a variety of people.

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

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

QREC Instruction Manual

This is a warm place

I found what I really want to do.

A place where you can be and aspire to be who you want to be.

For being the catalyst of change in my life.

I was able to get a glimpse of the skills and mannerisms I will need when I enter the workforce while doing what I love.

Students' Voices - undergraduate

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

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

Course History

Comment

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

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

Course History

Comment

Even if you are not sure what you want to do, you can get inspiration from QREC and meet a variety of people.

Even if you are not sure what you want to do, you can get inspiration from QREC and meet a variety of people.

Course History

Comment

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

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

Course History

Comment

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

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

Course History

Comment

QREC Instruction Manual

QREC Instruction Manual

Course History

Comment

This is a warm place

This is a warm place

Course History

Comment

I found what I really want to do.

I found what I really want to do.

Course History

Comment

A place where you can be and aspire to be who you want to be.

A place where you can be and aspire to be who you want to be.

Course History

Comment

For being the catalyst of change in my life.

For being the catalyst of change in my life.

Course History

Comment

I was able to get a glimpse of the skills and mannerisms I will need when I enter the workforce while doing what I love.

I was able to get a glimpse of the skills and mannerisms I will need when I enter the workforce while doing what I love.

Course History

Comment