Abstract
Niigata University’s Faculty of Engineering established the Smart Dormitory Project to cultivate highly skilled researchers and developers through student-centered, research-based learning (RBL). Participants engage in interdisciplinary research from their first year. In 2024, the Global Problem-Solving Project (GPS) was introduced within the Smart Dormitory to address global challenges, particularly those faced by developing countries. This study examines students' learning experiences in GPS, where first-year students independently formulated research questions and conducted collaborative research. In GPS, research themes were set based on students’ interests, and teams were divided into three groups, leading their own research. As a result, all teams submitted proposals to an idea competition, with one team receiving an Honorable Mention in the SDGs Design International Awards 2024. End-of-year interviews with students in GPS revealed both positive and negative perspectives on research skills. However, soft skills were broadly recognized as improved, with only one student expressing reservations. This study highlights the strengths of early-stage student-centered RBL initiatives on global problem-solving.
