2019 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 1_30-1_40
In response to significant, rapid changes around the world, societies' expectations regarding universities have also increased. In Japan, the University of the Ryukyus (Ryūdai), which has been charged with the mission of contributing to local communities since its foundation in 1950, is now required to play a bigger role and carry out more activities to meet the communities' growing demands. In response to these demands, in 2015, the Research Planning Office at Ryūdai established positions for University Research Administrators (URAs), tasked with managing research issues. Although the number of URAs is small, they have started flexible and transdisciplinary activities cooperating with various sectors within and outside the university. This paper provides an overview of some of those activities implemented.
