Internet Initiative Japan Inc. and Kansai University's Faculty of Business Data Science enter into a collaboration agreement to develop next-generation marketing professionals who use data

IIJ and Kansai University's Faculty of Business Data Science signed a collaboration agreement on 14 September 2026 to promote data-driven education and develop next-generation professionals. Under the agreement, IIJ will support a practical PBL exercise using IIJmio as a case study in the spring semester of 2027. In addition to quantitative analysis using educational data, students will conduct fieldwork and interviews, and learn marketing decision-making by integrating quantitative and qualitative findings.

## Overview of the PBL exercise The exercise will combine lectures, group work and fieldwork, with employees involved in IIJmio marketing operations participating as instructors. Students will gain practical experience across the process from understanding customers to developing initiatives. The case study will focus on IIJmio, with the theme of marketing and digital media strategies targeting Generation Z. The format will be active learning, covering market understanding, data design, target definition, interview design, analysis, KPI design and final presentations.

## Expected benefits The agreement is expected to help develop marketing and data professionals who can contribute immediately in a corporate setting, build decision-making skills by integrating real-world data with qualitative research, and enhance educational value by connecting university education with business practice.

## Comments Representatives of the participating organizations said that the practical PBL exercise using IIJmio would help develop decision-making skills grounded in real-world experience and provide students with a valuable opportunity to experience both data analysis and qualitative research.