Based on Iwate University’s philosophy of opening its door to the local community, the Lifelong Learning Department shares the results of research and education with society by providing opportunities for members of the general public to study a variety of subjects through open lectures, courses for ｄ, adult refresher programs, and others. In recent years, people’s value systems have changed with the globalization of the economy and social change, and interest in adult learning is transitioning from familiar issues to social problems. Considering this, the Lifelong Learning Department aims to ensure that we have abundant lifelong learning programs that meet the needs of diverse adult learners. We also strive to promote lifelong learning in the community by ensuring that our adult learners gain the abilities to untangle and re-weave their studies, to make use of them in the region, and to continue learning, which are useful in their local activities and working lives.

Iwate University provides training for specialist personnel (social education coordinators) who will lead local social education. This project is organized for learners from Iwate, Akita, and Aomori Prefectures in northern Tohoku by Iwate University, Akita University, and Hirosaki University in turn, who offer courses for social education coordinators. Social education coordinators are specialist personnel who take on the role of providing advice and guidance to people involved in social education. These training courses aim for learners to acquire expert knowledge and functions as social education coordinators through four subjects: The Theory of Life-long Learning, Social Education Planning, Social Education Drills, and Special Social Education Courses.