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Graduate School Common Courses (Advanced Liberal Arts course group) 2026 On-site Group Work / Day4－Day5

From August 16 to 23, 2026, On-site Group Work training program was conducted in Belgium. This program is part of a collaborative initiative between Doshisha University and Daikin Industries, Ltd. It is designed in accordance with the philosophy of Doshisha University's Global Resource Management (GRM) program, which emphasizes the importance of "visiting the field and experiencing reality firsthand on site."

Through the graduate-level Advanced Liberal Arts courses(Japanese only), On-site Group Work Introduction and On-site Group Work, graduate students from Doshisha University and young employees of Daikin Industries learn together, transcending the boundaries of humanities and sciences, as well as those between students and working professionals.

【Read More About Days 1-3 Here】

This year’s program focused on the theme “Climate Actions and Clean Energy Transition in the European Union: Collaboration and Co-creation toward a Carbon Neutral Society.” Participants explored climate change mitigation measures and the transition to clean energy in Europe.

Day 4 (Ostend, Belgium)

Participants visited the coastline in Ostend and observed the offshore wind turbines located in the North Sea. Seeing the vast array of wind turbines stretching across the sea provided a firsthand impression of Belgium's ongoing transition toward renewable energy. The group then visited Daikin Europe's Ostend factory, where they toured the heat pump production lines, automated manufacturing facilities, and various initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.

In addition, the participants had the opportunity to visit the home of Mr. Tim, who had introduced Daikin's products during the factory tour. His house is equipped with a Daikin Altherma heat pump system, including a model that uses propane as a refrigerant. Through this visit, participants learned how homeowners can transition from conventional gas boilers to heat pumps without making significant modifications to existing heating infrastructure, such as radiators, while integrating heating, cooling, and hot water supply into a single system. The visit also demonstrated how such technologies can contribute to decarbonization efforts in the residential sector.

Furthermore, the experience highlighted that the energy transition is supported not only by government policies and corporate initiatives, but also by the choices made by individual citizens regarding home renovations and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. This provided valuable insight into the important role that households play in advancing a sustainable and low-carbon society.

Day 5 (Brussels, Belgium)

On the final day of the program, the participants visited the European Commission to learn about the European Union’s climate action and decarbonization policies. They gained insights into the EU’s comprehensive approach to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, centered on the European Green Deal, and developed a deeper understanding of how environmental, economic, and industrial policies are being advanced in an integrated manner.

The group then visited JETRO Brussels, where they received a briefing on its role in monitoring and analyzing developments in EU decarbonization policies and regulatory frameworks, as well as providing relevant information to Japanese companies. The session enhanced their understanding of the impact of European policy trends on Japanese businesses and the potential for decarbonization initiatives to create new business opportunities.

【Read More About Days 1-3 Here】

[Information on the On-site Group Work 2026: Open Forum](Japanese only)