Kirk here sharing an article on the creation of an new faculty at Kumamoto University. The idea is to create a faculty that focuses on high tech and English. It is at least loosely associated with the new TSMC chip plant being built here. On RKK I heard that this is the first creation of an entirely new faculty at Kumamoto University in decades – since the creation of the 文学部 (Bungakubu; Faculty of Letters?) and the 法学部 (Hogakubu; Faculty of Law?). Students from Sojo University and Tokai University will also be able to take courses online in the faculty.
“DX” seems to be a key word that will probably be used in the name of the faculty – at the very least it is being used in its promotion now. DX is short for “digital transformation.” Here’s how Wikipedia defines digital transformation: “Digital transformation entails considering how products, processes and organisations can be changed through the use of new, digital technologies.”
If, like me, you find yourself wondering why it’s “DX” and not “DT,” check this out:
How did “trans-” become “x-”? https://painintheenglish.com/case/1053
Like many acronyms used in Japan, DX seems to be getting used a lot because its considered to be a cool new word – not necessarily because it’s the best word for the context and certainly not because it effectively communicates what will be taught in the new faculty. The article says “英語やDX人材の教育に力を入れ・・・” So they are going to focus on teaching English and educating “DX” people. If you can answer the question “What is a DX person?” in 200 words or less, you should get a prize (but I don’t have any prizes to give out :( ). https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOJC133ZA0T11C22A0000000/
