Education Hub
About Joint Usage Centers for Education
To meet the diverse needs of both society and students, it’s crucial for universities to promote the shared use of their human and physical resources. This collaborative approach allows for the development of a wide range of advanced educational programs across the entire university system.
In September 2009, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) created a certification system to support universities offering diverse and advanced education through public and private partnerships.
DRDC was recognized for its livestock-focused collaborative education initiatives and was certified as a “MEXT-Accredited Joint Usage and Education Centers” in fiscal year 2010 (Certification period: June 10, 2010 – March 31, 2015). It was recertified in fiscal year 2015 (Certification period: April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2020).
Circular Dairy Education Hub Considering Food Production Environment and Food Safety – for Field Education Programs
The Dairy Ecosystem Research and Development Center is the only facility in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions that offers dairy-focused education.
We use our extensive grasslands and large herd of dairy cows, in collaboration with other facilities like our Precision Experimental Crop Field, Poultry and Livestock Environment Control Experiment Building, and Food Production Training Factory, to provide education centered on dairy farming. Our mission is to serve as a “circular dairy education hub” that prioritizes both the food production environment and food safety.
For details on our specific educational programs and how to use our collaborative facilities, please see the information below.
*Important Note: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may have to decline some requests to use our facilities. Please contact us in advance before your visit.
Field Practice of Dairy Production
Target: Students majoring Agriculture
Course period: Mid- to late August (3 nights, 4 days)
Life, Food and Agricultural Education through Experimental Studies of Dairy Farming
Target: Students majoring Non-agriculture
Course period: Early September (3 nights, 4 days)
Practice of Smart Dairy Science
Target: Students majoring in agriculture and information science
Course period: Mid- to late September (3 nights, 4 days)
Field Practice Experiencing the Life Cycle of Farm Animals at All Seasons of the Year
Target: All students
Course period: April to December (8 sessions, full day)
Field Science Practice for Shokuiku in Childcare and Elementary Education
Target: Childcare workers and elementary school teachers
Course period: Negotiable (full day)
Guidance for Other Uses of the Center
In addition to our own programs, our farm and its related facilities are available for educational use by other universities.
If you are a faculty member from another university and would like to use our facilities for a lecture, practical training, seminar, or any part of your course, please review our “Guide to Farm Use” and contact us.
Our facilities are an ideal location for field-based food and agriculture education, perfect for deepening students’ understanding of food production. We encourage you to make use of our resources.