EVENT & TOPICS

Kashiwa Campus Open Days 2023

The University of Tokyo Kashiwa Campus Open Days, titled “Welcome to the Adventure for Knowledge,” were successfully held on October 27 and 28 for the first time in four years. Over 10,000 people visited the campus, ranging from babies in strollers to older adults. The Graduate School of Frontier Sciences held various events, including hands-on workshops and exhibitions with exciting ideas and lectures, and opened laboratories and large-scale experimental facilities, which are normally not open to the public.

Feedback from Visitors
“I understood how much research has advanced.”
“All exhibitions were futuristic and interesting.”
“The event expanded my knowledge.”
“Very precious experience.”
“Enjoyed very much!”

Visitors received a foldable bag specially made for the event by visiting three buildings (the Transdisciplinary Studies, Biosciences, and Environmental Studies Buildings) and gathering three paper folders. These novelties were popular among visitors.

The event was a great success in providing visitors with opportunities to experience and learn about research and projects at the GSFS, both online and in person. Professor Wataru Iwasaki, the chair of the Open Days Committee, expressed his views, saying, “It was meaningful for us to inform people that we conduct the most advanced research in the world here in Kashiwa and that students who graduated from other universities are now in our graduate school and conducting research. I hope that young students will choose our school after experiencing such events.”

The annual meeting of Soiki-kai—the GSFS students and alumnus association—was also held on October 28 during the Open Days, marking its 15th anniversary.

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An Event to Encourage Female Students to Choose Science Courses
“Let’s Look into the Future!”

On October 28, the GSFS, the Institute for Solid State Physics (ISSP), and the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institutes (AORI) held their regular event, “Let’s Look into the Future.” This event encourages female junior high and high school students to pursue a career in science. It was held both online and in person at the Kashiwa Campus.

The event had approximately 90 in-person attendees, including female students, parents, teachers, and school staff. Many people from all across Japan also attended the event online. Professor Nono Tomita facilitated a panel discussion with three graduate students. They talked about their reasons for choosing science, what it is like to be an undergraduate and graduate student, the fun and challenging aspects of research, their future goals, and their work after graduation.

We have received many positive feedback from the audience. Some attendees mentioned, “It was good to know that there are various options available after choosing a science course,” “I was not sure about my future career plan until I attended the event, but now I have made up my mind to study science,” and “I can imagine student life now.”

The GSFS held a luncheon meeting with GSFS female students before the event, and they enjoyed discussing their interests.

(From left) Masako Migihashi (GSFS), Haruka Matsumoto (ISSP), and Shiono Miki (AORI)

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2nd MODE Symposium 2023

Hideaki Murayama
Professor, Department of Ocean Technology, Policy, and Environment

The Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering Laboratory (MODE) is a social collaboration program founded by the University of Tokyo in October 2022. It provides the latest information on model-based development (MBD), model-based system engineering (MBSE), maritime affairs, and MODE activity reports at symposiums.

More than 250 people attended the second MODE symposium, which featured keynote speeches by Mr. Shuichi Kondo (Mazda Motor Corporation), Professor Hidekazu Nishimura (Keio University), and Mr. Hideyuki Ando (MTI Ltd.), activity reports, poster presentations, and exhibitions of MBD and MBSE vendors. These sessions received positive feedback and gained considerable attention and support. The keynote speeches can be viewed at: https://mode.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/

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The UTokyo Genome School Was Launched

https://genome-school.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

Yutaka Suzuki
Director of UTokyo Genome School

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GSFS Open Symposium
“What’s Happening in Kashiwa Now?: For Local Collaboration and Social Contribution”

https://sympo.edu.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

The GSFS held its first open symposium in the 2023 academic year titled “What’s Happening in Kashiwa Now?: For Local Collaboration and Social Contribution.” The event was held at the Kashiwa-no-ha Conference Center and online on Tuesday, December 12, with an audience of approximately 170 people. The event began with an opening speech by Professor Tomochika Tokunaga, the Dean of the GSFS, followed by a keynote speech from Ms. Kazumi Ota, the Mayor of Kashiwa City. In the first session, the Kashiwa municipality and public organizations reviewed their initiatives for promoting industry development. In the second session, urbanization and social applications in business and academia were introduced. The third was a panel discussion with six panelists from each stakeholder on the advantages and attractions of the Kashiwa-no-ha district, what has been done for city development, and what is happening in Kashiwa-no-ha now. The meeting was successfully completed.

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UTokyo Alumni Association Kashiwa Class Meeting and Welcome BBQ Party for New GSFS Students

The meeting for the University of Tokyo graduates’ classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 was held by the UTokyo Alumni Association for the first time on the Kashiwa Campus on October 12. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Kanzawa and attended by Mr. Eguchi, the Association’s vice chair, who gave a speech, and Professor Tokunaga, the Dean of the GSFS, who proposed a toast. Approximately 100 participants, including graduates and professors, engaged in pleasant conversations. At 4:00 PM, the attendees stepped outside to join the barbecue party organized for new GSFS students. Almost 600 participants enjoyed food and conversation under a clear autumn sky. Professor Kazuhiro Nakayama, the chair of the Welcome BBQ Party committee, expressed gratitude for the support of the UTokyo Alumni Association and hoped that communications among Kashiwa Campus members will increase more than ever before, starting from this party, which was held for the first time in four years.