“ Independent Student Research ” activities at Akita prefectural university and some example of those efforts

Abstract

Since its establishment in 1999, Akita Prefectural University has had a unique "Independent Student Research" program that allows first- and second-year students to conduct independent research to cultivate the ability to "discover and solve problems on their own." Every year, many students participate in this program, and to date, 1,434 research projects have been conducted. In the student independent research program, students take the initiative in deciding research themes, budget plans, research plans, and so on, and carry out their research projects under the faculty staff's support. The experiences of presenting their research as posters, using experimental facilities, and writing reports on their research provide an excellent incentive for students to find graduation thesis themes and to think about entering graduate school.