Nissan enters Japanese education market

Nissan Motor Co, Ltd, today announced that it will continue three educational programmes this fiscal year as part of ongoing corporate citizenship initiatives which focus on education, the environment and humanitarian efforts. The programmes are "Nissan Monozukuri Caravan," "Nissan Design Waku-Waku Studio" and "Nissan Waku-Waku Eco School." Initiated in 2007, Nissan Monozukuri Caravan is an interactive educational programme capitalizing on the company's strength in manufacturing. Students in Kanagawa, Tochigi and Fukuoka prefectures in Japan have experienced the enjoyment of monozukuri and the importance of ingenuity in producing high-quality products efficiently. Following an extension of Nissan Monozukuri Caravan to Mexico in 2011, this year the programme will expand to the U.K. A total of approximately 18,000 elementary school students from about 300 schools in Japan and overseas participated in the programme in 2012. Nissan Design Waku-Waku Studio was introduced in 2008 to offer career development guidance for students mainly in Kanagawa. Students learn directly from Nissan designers how car design comes together. The designers talk about the car development process and demonstrate sketching based on the rough drawings created by the students. Waku-Waku Studio also is intended to build awareness about how students view future careers. Car designers explain how they made their career choice and how important it is for students to be proactive in making their dreams come true. In fiscal year 2012, about 2,200 elementary school students from 24 schools attended this program. The total number of students who have attended the programme since inception in 2008 has reached 10,000. The third programme, Nissan Waku-Waku Eco School, teaches students mainly in Kanagawa prefecture about the numerous environmental initiatives of Nissan. Since 2008, students have learned about global environmental issues and Nissan's environmental approach through fun, interactive experiences. The programme starts with basic knowledge-building about environmental issues, and then students assemble a model eco-car kit (electric or fuel-cell vehicle). In the third segment of the programme, students have the opportunity to ride in the 100% electric Nissan LEAF or an innovative fuel-cell vehicle. In fiscal year 2012, approximately 5,000 students participated in this programme, including 60 sessions which Nissan conducted at schools or other external sites. In addition to these three programmes, Nissan conducts the "Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix" and has provided support for areas hit by natural disasters. Nissan will continue its corporate citizenship activities in the spirit of Blue Citizenship, Nissan's commitment to protect the beautiful, blue planet and make a better world both now and for future generations. About Nissan Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.9 million vehicles in 2012, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($US118.95 billion) in fiscal 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards. Source: nissan-global