Students present to Ms. Evgeniya Kiseleva
On June 17th, TIU E-Track and J-Track students visited the Kawasaki facilities of Japanese food and biotechnology giant Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Challenged to develop new business concepts under strict time constraints, the students worked in teams before presenting their proposals to members of the Research Institute for Bioscience Products & Fine Chemicals, Value Creation Group.
Founded in Tokyo in 1909, Ajinomoto Co. Inc. has grown into a global leader in food ingredients, seasonings and amino acids employing over 34,700 people across more than 30 countries. Its slogan, ‘Eat Well, Live Well’, reflects a commitment to contributing to the well-being of all human beings, our society and our planet with innovation through “AminoScienceâ€. To create greater social and economic value by leveraging AminoScience, the company operates and expands across business fields such as Healthcare, Food and Wellness, ICT, and Green (green technology, etc.).
Participants in the 2026 CEP Ajinomoto event
In line with Ajinomoto’s purpose, TIU students were challenged to propose a new business idea in the Green growth field – which includes green food business, agriculture and animal nutrition – by addressing a specific regional issue and leveraging the company’s strengths and capabilities. Proposed solutions ranged from enhancing livestock feed with amino acid technology to creating new products and distribution networks that could deliver protein-rich nutrition to remote communities in regions such as mountainous Vietnam.
Dr. Akito Chinen, General Manager of the Value Creation Group, expressed his appreciation for the students’ ideas, highlighting their thoughtful identification of real-world needs as a standout strength. In addition, Ms. Evgeniya Kiseleva, a researcher in the Value Creation Group, highlighted the students’ scientific analyses as particularly insightful and provided valuable feedback on their presentation techniques.
Dr. Chinen provides feedback and appraisal to students
Following the presentations, the students were invited on a tour of Ajinomoto’s factory where they learned about production processes and gaining insight into the technologies and expertise that underpin the company’s global operations.
The Career Experience Practicum (CEP) is a hands-on course offered by TIU that places students directly before businesses and industry leaders, representing an opportunity to utilize their budding skills and gain genuine feedback from key players in global industries. Partnering with both start-ups and established brands, TIU offers this course twice per semester to students seeking practical experience, industry exposure, and the opportunity to make an impact beyond the classroom.