On April 17, Okayama University collaborated with ABABA Co., Ltd. to host a special online lecture titled “Okayama University UNESCO Chair 2021 Special Lecture – Anyone Can Make an App x SDGs [Event 1]: No Code x SDGs – Introducing Cutting-Edge No-code Tools”.

The purpose of the special lecture was to introduce the latest IT tool which is called “No-code” and generate interest in using it. Approximately 70 people attended the online lecture, which was targeted at people who are interested in entrepreneurship (especially social innovation), digital transformation (DX) and next-generation IT literacy tools such as those supported by no-code platforms, and in the possibility of aligning DX with the SDGs to solve social issues.

The event featured Okayama University alumni KUBO Shunki as a guest lecturer. Mr. KUBO found a company called ABABA Co., Ltd. when he was a fourth-year student at Okayama University and won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (Grand Prize) at the 17th Campus Venture Grand Prix (CVG) National Tournament on January 29. CVG is known as a venerable stepping stone for student entrepreneurs. He is also a developer of the Okayama University Media (OTD) smartphone app.
　
Okayama University President MAKINO Hirofumi gave the opening statement, introducing that Mr. KUBO was one of SDGs ambassadors and now he is an active next-generation leader “illuminating” the way to the future. President MAKINO also expressed his hope that the lecture would encourage practical skill development leading to accelerate regional revitalisation.

During his lecture, Mr. KUBO briefly introduced no-code and its potential to contribute to regional revitalisation by using examples from the websites of local businesses. He also spoke about using no-code tools to achieve the SDGs, describing how these tools can help businesses trying to increase efficiency, reduce food waste, and deal with reduced personnel The lecture was followed by a lively Q & A session, where several audience members asked pertinent questions.

The closing remarks were made by Senior Vice President for Global Engagement Strategy and UNESCO Chairholder in Research and Education for Sustainable Development YOKOI Atsufumi, who has been working as an external advisor consulting on the SDGs at ABABA Co., Ltd. since April 1. Senior Vice President YOKOI introduced Okayama University’s UNESCO Chair (the sole chair of its kind approved in Asia), which has been promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) since 2007. He also spoke localizing the SDGs through DX and the activities of the Okayama University UNESCO Chair to find solutions to social issues. Participants remarked that they “learnt a lot”, that the “lecture helped them to better understand the concept of no-code”, and that they were “excited by the possibilities no-code tools”.

The Okayama University UNESCO Chair in Research and Education for Sustainable Development plans to utilize no-code developing tools and to support the cultivation of next generation social entrepreneurs who will contribute to achieve the SDGs.

○What is No-code?
No-code refers to technology for creating websites, applications, online business tools, etc. that can be used without coding (writing programs that use specialized programming language). By using no-coding tools, it is possible for someone without prior coding knowledge or skills to create websites and applications intuitively and in a shorter period of time.