System to Support Enterprise in Oita Prefecture

(Oita Godo Newspaper, March 26th 2009, morning paper)

The moving-in of Professor SANGA Ngoie Kazadi (56) from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University to "iPlaza", which was built to support the venture enterprise in the field of Information Technology (IT), had been decided. Together with other new tenants, he received the official documents in the the ceremony on March 25th at the Prefectural Government Office.

Professor Sanga came from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, and his specialization is Geography Information System (GIS). In iPlaza, through the utilization of "GIS Integration System" he puts together various maps and atlas, in order to manage and analyze the information regarding the resources in the area (such as Onsen), and makes the multifunctional electronic database. He is designing a scheme of the upbringing of human talents, for those students and graduates who are aiming to start enterprises and manufactures.

Besides, surveys and user registrations through internet will support Kokowan Oita (Representative: OONO Keiichi), a site which support online business. Resonant Solutions (Director: SHUTO Kanji), who creates "Learning Facility" also moved in to iPlaza.

The tenants were decided to examine the business plan. The period of tenant is three years at most.

Comment: The fact that Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is located in Beppu City can become an added value to the already charming Beppu City. If the local people and the university continue to strengthen the cooperation with each other, both sides will be able to bring about benefits for each other. A group of people from diverse background could improve the life in Beppu City through knowledge transfer, just like Professor Sanga.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3