In December 2025, students from the Faculty of Business Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Communication traveled to Japan as part of the SEED Program, an initiative of GOROM Association which invites students from various universities to develop innovative solutions for small businesses in the country.
The four Austral representatives were:
Professor Ignacio Trossero of the Faculty of Communication He accompanied the students on this academic adventure and highlighted:
"What moved me most about Japan was its people. I learned that respect for cultural codes is fundamental. In turn, sharing with professors from different universities allowed me to discover different ways of teaching. Each one contributed from their own humanity, and together we created a genuine learning environment."
Furthermore, the SEED Program gave me something invaluable: the opportunity to accompany extraordinary young people in an extraordinary country, to learn that true education happens when we step outside our comfort zones and allow ourselves to inhabit the world with curiosity, empathy, and gratitude. I returned to Argentina transformed, with my heart full of images, flavors, sounds, and, above all, human connections that will last forever. Thank you, Japan, SEED Program, and every student who allowed me to be part of their growth.
From July to November, students from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, and Japan worked online researching and designing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Yamanashi, Japan. This year, the six participating SMEs are involved in sake production, wine, wine tourism, jewelry, sustainable tourism, and souvenirs.
The experience culminated in a trip to Yamanashi and Tokyo, where the students presented their proposals to local entrepreneurs and stakeholders, generating valuable spaces for intercultural exchange and joint learning.
The participation of our students reflects the spirit of the Universidad Austral and its commitment to an education that generates global impact.
SEED Program “Social Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development” is an initiative of the GOROM Association. Its objective is to train social entrepreneurs who, through the design and development of innovative solutions, contribute to the revitalization of Japan's regional culture and economy. To this end, students from Latin American universities meet online For four months, they develop proposals to address social challenges. The solutions focus on traditional industries within the Japanese economy.
In December, the teams travel to Japan to present their proposals to local companies and stakeholders. Each institution sends selected students and a teacher who accompanies them during the presentations and supports them in virtual meetings. Here You can see how the groups for the 2025 edition were composed. The experience lasts 15 days, with accommodation and activities covered by the GOROM Association.
La Universidad Austral It participates alongside institutions from Argentina (University of Belgrano), Brazil (ESPM and FAAP), Colombia (EAFIT, Uniandes, University of Rosario), United States (Florida International University) and Japan (Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Shiga University, and Meiji University).
We'd like to share some photos of the students during the experience.
