Silicon Valley Looked, Listened, and Thrilled
	The participants exchanging their opinions with businessmen

Stanford University

The intent participants listening to a lectue re of businessman

In March 2006, the Intellectual Property Management Center of Kyushu University implemented "Kyushu University - Robert Huang Entrepreneurship Program (QREP)" in Silicon Valley, U.S.A. -the center of entrepreneur spirit, immigrant cultures, and global hi-tech start-up business -which aims to stimulate our students' entrepreneur spirit and provides opportunities to help them to be internationally-minded. This program was planned and implemented by the support of "Kyushu University - California Found," a fund created mainly through a donation by Robert Huang, a former foreign student of Kyushu University from Taiwan who graduated from our university 38 years ago and achieved a great success in the U.S.

This experimental project was implemented for the first time in February - March 2006, and 20 students (male and female students in science and arts, consisting of freshmen to students in the second year of the master's program, including adult students) participated in the program, who were chosen from over 30 applicants. Beginning with the preliminary lecture at the end of February and followed by the one-week on-site curriculum (22 lectures) in mid-March and the meeting to report the results of their studies outside the campus on the fourth day after their return to Japan, the program was implemented in a short time period and was very concentrated. With the support of more than 40 volunteers who actually work in Silicon Valley, who gave enthusiastic lectures, and the attentive assistance of Kyushu University staff at the California office, the program produced excellent results that went far beyond our expectations.

The feature of this program is to provide students opportunities to think about their career formation and strengthen the motivation and awareness to challenge something new, including the experience to study abroad through a discussion with leading entrepreneurs, engineers, and university students in the same age group (Japanese students and American students studying at Stanford University, etc.), visits to a hi-tech corporation and immigrant areas, and enjoy realistic experiences that are never attained at a Japanese university.

The participants exchanged opinions with lecturers who actually work as world-leading businessmen and American students of the same age group, took part in active discussions with their classmates and accompanied faculties late at night, and touched the dynamism of Silicon Valley for the first time. All these experiences deeply moved them. After returning to Japan, the participants commented excitedly: "The program was more substantial than any other lectures I have attended." "It gave me an opportunity to think about my future." "Everything felt like scales falling from eyes."

We plan to implement this program again this school year. We look forward to receiving applications from many students.

I have never thought that putting myself in a different environment and talking to people who are pursuing careers out of my imagination could be this exciting and educating(A second year female master's student in the Graduate School of Agriculture).

"One picture is worth a thousand words" is true, and I was awaken through the experience in Silicon Valley. It was the most fruitful and concentrated week in my life. My mind was constantly excited (A second year male student in the School of Design).

Active discussion with students of Stanford University

In front of The Intel Museum

Robert Huang (third person from left) Masato Matsuo, Director of California Office (third person from right)