NTT West Corporation Shikoku Branch (Branch Manager: Yosuke Kumazaki, hereinafter "NTT West Shikoku Branch") and Chiiki Sosei Co-design Laboratory Inc. (President and CEO: Yukihiro Yokoi, hereinafter "Chiiki Sosei Co-design Laboratory") are pleased to announce their participation in the endowed course "Local Government Policy Practice Course" established by the National University Corporation Ehime University (Graduate School of Regional Resilience) as part of their initiative to promote human resource development for the sustainable development of local communities. We have agreed with the purpose of this initiative and will participate. 1. Background In recent years, against the backdrop of declining populations and changes in social structures, local governments are increasingly required to have the ability to formulate policies that suit local conditions and practical problem-solving skills that utilize data. In particular, fostering human resources who can conceive and implement sustainable local communities, starting with improving the well-being (happiness) of residents, has become an important issue common to all regions. Amidst this situation, Ehime University will newly establish an endowed course, "Local Government Policy Practice Course," where graduate students and local government officials can learn together and practically learn policy formation for solving regional issues. This endowed course will be established by Ehime University as the operating entity, with support from multiple companies. 2. Objectives and Overview of the Endowed Course The objectives of this endowed course are: To foster human resources responsible for solving regional issues, starting with improving resident well-being and utilizing the concept of smart cities, Through collaborative learning between graduate students and local government officials, To promote practical education and research To realize sustainable local communities The course, as a regular subject within the