Special Committee on Globalization of Education & Research, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Iwate University

K E N G U R O 季 刊 報 vol.17
Focus on !!

3D Ganchan: Produced
by an on-campus company, MMM

Issued on Sep. 30, 201812 students were invited from Hambat National
University in Korea !!

Our student exchange program with Hambat National University in Korea marked its 6th year this year. We invited 12 undergraduate andgraduate students from the university from August 27 to 30, 2018 and hosted a student exchange program through a joint Problem Based
Learning project as well as other projects.

★ Mini lecture and joint PBL!!

PBL Discussion (left picture).
At first, students were
struggling communicating in
English, but as time went, it
seemed they opened up eachother gradually. Laughing was
all around.

Day 1 started with opening remarks by Dean Funazaki. This wasfollowed by mini lectures by three instructors from Hambat National
University and three from Iwate University. After 22 students including
ten from Iwate and 12 from Hambat introduced themselves to eachother, Hambat students introduced this year’s themes for the joint
PBL: 1) Applied technology for artificial intelligence, 2) Systems forcreating, storing, and saving energy for the future, 3) Power generation,4) Reduction of oceanic pollution, and 5) Controlling the growth ofalgae for improving water quality. After that, students were divided into
mixed groups of four or five Japanese and Korean students to collectinformation and engage in discussion.
Day 2 was dedicated to continued joint PBL and an interim debriefing

Welcome party on the firstday (picture right). Students
challenged“Wankosoba”noodles served continuously.
See the bowls stacking up
so high.

session in the afternoon in which each team introduced rough but
diverse ideas of their own. In the following closing ceremony, each of theparticipants received a certificate of completing the student exchange
program at Iwate University. Students continued to engage in discussion
even after the Hambat students went back to prepare for final debriefingof the joint PBL that will be held in October when Iwate University
students visit Hambat National University.

We went to the past
Matsuo Neutralization
plant (picture left). Looks
like professors are mucheager than students.

★ Extracurricular activities in Hachimantai !!
Students visited the New Neutralization Treatment Facility of the former
Matsuo Mine and the Matsukawa Geothermal Power Plant as part ofthe extracurricular activities on Day 3. They seemed to have found thegeothermal power plant rare and listened to the explanation given by
the plant staff with great interest. Students went to the Hachimantai
summit between the trips. It was unfortunately rainy so there wasn’t
any prospect of a beautiful view, thus many of them stayed on the bus
during the breaks. It would be great if they could enjoy the stunningview of Hachimantai on a sunny day next time they visit Iwate.
Participating students and professors from both university.

Participants' voice
Mr. Yusuke Kon - Regional and Community Design (Civil andEnvironment Engineering) M1: Since we spent times with
Korean students all day long for 3 days, I had a great
sense of fulﬁllment. It was a really valuable experience.
Korean students were not only cheerful but really goodat debating. To me, debating in English is so hard, but I‘dlike to give an effort to make a good presentation.
Mr. Takumi Watari – Material Science and Engineering M1: I
spent really meaningful days despite the period was reallyshort. Korean students and we shared the differences
and common points in both Korea and Japan throughout
the training period. Korean students did have a highEnglish skill. In the next meeting in October, I surely
expect myself to get the further achievement.

Mr. Byeongchan Kim, Information&Communication Engineering
B4: Through this Program, I shared a lot of thoughts with myJapanese friends and discussed the problem. Although they
are different in nationality, I felt similar to us. I learned a lotof Japanese culture and became very close to my Japanese
friends. They are really kind and funny. It was the most fun to
talk with Japanese friends over drinks. This project was very
meaningful and happy time. I will never forget.

Ms. Hyewoon Kim, Mechanical Engineering B4: I could
experience a lot that I have never experienced before. I had time totalk and discuss about our topic with Iwate University students so I
could listen their thoughts and ideas. When I looked around Iwate
University, I could compare different points with our university
and it was so nice to see a lot of good mechanical equipment andresearch projects during the lab tour. It was also meaningful to visit
the power plant that I did not go in Korea.

Focus on !!

SAKURA Exchange Program in Science

With support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency's (JST) Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (SAKURA Exchange
Program in Science), we invited Asian students to Iwate University again this school year. This time, from July 20 (Fri) to 27 (Fri) in 2018, 15
undergraduate and graduate students were invited from the Northwest A&F University and Shandong University of Art & Design in China, theNational University of Mongolia, University of the Humanities of Mongolia, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, the National
Kaohsiung Normal University in Taiwan, and the University of Phayao in Thailand. Under the theme of“Experience designing content and physicalcomputing based on media technologies,”students participated in a research session and PBL at the Faculty of Science and Engineering labs.

２０１8. 7. 20 ～ 7. 27★ Day 6: Final presentation!
The final presentation of their research results was held in the morning of the sixth day. Each of the five groups had 25 minutes to show
their experiences and assignments at each lab (photo on the bottom left). Various presentations were given including 3D modeling by
photogrammetry, experience with 3D printer model making, discussion on the differences in package designs for ramen noodles and curry ineach country, bio-sensing technology with a coordinate measuring machine, curve interpolation of the measurement results, and creation ofanimation using Kinect. It was the final day of the practical training at Iwate University and students received a certificate of completion at a

★ Day 1 and 2: From arrival in Morioka to Art & Technology Tohoku 2018

ceremony (photo on the bottom right). Students departed from Morioka, taking a shinkansen to Tokyo after lunch.

Since the 15 students flew from four different countries, they arrived on
different flights from 6 am to 4 pm at Narita Airport. Thus, three doctoral
students from Iwate University came to the airport to accompany them toMorioka. On the second day, participants received guidance in the morning andvisited the Art & Technology Tohoku 2018, an exhibition of digital contents
hosted by the Society for Art and Science - Tohoku Section at the Design andMedia Technology Collaboration Studio, Faculty of Science and Engineering,
Iwate University (see the photo on the right). The exhibition received 86 entries
among which 24 were demonstrated at the venue. The demonstrated works
featured interactive content and the guest students listened to the descriptions
with great interest. As they are mostly from the media and design backgrounds,
we look forward to seeing their works if they have a chance to come to Morioka
next year.

★ Day 3 to 5: Morioka city tour, PBL at labs

★ Day 7 and 8: Tour of Tokyo and departure

On the third day, they visited Morioka Zoological Park as part of the Morioka city tour. It was the first zoo for Mongolian students and they

They visited the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation on

took many pictures. Then they went to a large shopping mall to enjoy shopping. Traditional Japanese kimono as well as Nambu cast ironware

the seventh day. Through different exhibitions on the latest humanoid robots,

and other handicrafts from Iwate particularly caught their attention. The city tour was a great opportunity for all students from different

space, earth, and life, they were able to feel and learn the latest scientificcountries to enjoy each other’s company.

technologies in Japan. The demonstration of ASIMO was particularly interestingOn the fourth day, international doctoral students at Iwate University introduced the university from their perspective in the morning andto them and they were applauding and filming the scene. After experiencing theProfessor Konno from the Computer, Intelligence and Media Technology Course of the Department of Systems Innovation Engineering gave aJapanese commercial culture in Akihabara and Ameyoko, they moved to Narita

presentation on his research, which was a fusion of archaeology and media fields. He described the algorithm on 3D jigsaw for building stone

at night to stay in a hotel as some of the students had to take early morning

artifacts from a 3D coordinate point cloud data obtained by measuring a stone tool. Participants joined different labs to share their researchflights. Students with afternoon flights visited Naritasan Shinshoji Temple on

work between the foreign students and Iwate University students and engaged in PBL.

the eighth day (photo on the right). They took a group photo before departing

Continuing from the afternoon of the fourth day,Day 5 was dedicated to assignments at each lab and preparation for the presentation on the following day. At dinner, participants enjoyedfor their countries in great spirits but said emotional goodbyes.

barbecue meat and reimen noodles, one of the three great noodles of Morioka, and exchanged information with two instructors.

Participants’voice
Mr. Kazuto Yoshikawa, Electrical Engineering andComputer Science B4:
Joining Sakura Science was a really good experience
for me. A Mongolian student visited our lab, and I felt his
English skill was much better than me. I had a hard time
expressing myself in English, but I learned then, bodylanguage could be a great help in communication.

Mr. Masaru Furukawa, Design and Media Technology M2:
I had a chance to communicate with a Mongolian student.
We talked about the differences in dietary and culturesof both countries. I was glad when he enjoyed sushi forlunch one day. Since I am not good at speaking English,
I was thrilled when I made myself understood. Totally
speaking, it became a really great experience for me.
In the bus. Going to Morioka Zoological Park. Looking so fun.

The welcome party on the fourth night. Students became closer to each other then.

Ms. Munguntsetseg Enkhduuren, Mongolia, B3:
The program was interesting and fun. The most strangest thing
about Japan was the hotel that had no windows in Tokyo. One
of my future goals is to learn the master at Iwate University. If
you ask me what kind of profession want to learn? I will learn
animation. Also, one thing I want to say is thank you for giving
opportunity to go to iwate university.

Ms. Jhang He Yue, Taiwan, M1:
I am very happy to recognize many outstanding students fromdifferent countries through the seminar.I could learn about
Taiwan and Japan life difference, expand my horizons andincrease my international outlook, both in graphic design,
craftsmanship, and product packaging. Thank you very muchfor giving me this opportunity to let me go to Japan andunderstand the local culture and food.

★ International internship from King Mongkut's
University of Technology in Thailand !!
The Faculty of Science and Engineering hosted four international interns from King Mongkut's University of Technology
Thonburi and Ladkrabang that Iwate University signed an academic exchange agreement with. The international internship at
the Faculty of Science and Engineering features a unique program that allows research work at a lab as well as training at acompany. This year, the lab research work was held from June 3rd to 15th and the company training from June 18th to July
27th. Interns, Nawarat Choengkhao and Narikorn Phitagragsakul shared their experiences with us.

★ Ms. Nawarat Choengkhao （KMUT Thonburi）
Nawarat Chongkhao engaged in a research activity at the lab of Yoshihiro Hagihara from the Computer, Intelligence and Media Technology
Course of the Department of Systems Innovation Engineering. Hagihara’s research focuses on motion recognition using wearable motion
capture. Nawarat Chongkhao worked on research to understand how humans move based on the angles of joints and make the movement
close to ideal movement obtained through deep learning. Nawarat also received training on the program for controlling a sequencer for aprocessed food metal detector at the Technology and Development Division

Participants’voiceof Nikka Densok Limited.

★ Mr. Narikorn Phitagragsakul （KMUT Ladkrabang）
Narikorn Phitagragsakul engaged in a research activity at the lab of
Masahiro Daibo from the Electrical, Electronic, and Communication Engineering
Course of the Department of Systems Innovation Engineering. As part of
the research on femtosecond laser processing at the Daibo lab, Narikorn
worked on polycarbonate internal processing and analyzing the surfaces.
Narikorn received training at the R&D Center of Sumida Power Technology
Co., Ltd. and engaged in practical training of designing coil and characteristic
evaluation, 3D modeling, and prototyping using 3D printers.

Phote taken after certificate ceremony
From left to right: Prof. Daibo、Prof. Kin、Ms. Nantana
Rungsawasdisap(Iwate Univ. Student)、Mr. Saran Chanchaipattana、
Ms. Nawarat Choengkhao、Dean of Faculaty, Funazaki、Mr. Narikorn
Phitagragsakul、Ms. Prinpapar Pichetpakornkul、Prof. Hagiwara

Ms. Nawarat Choengkhao
Frist impression of this program is environment of Japanbecause it’s very natural, good weather and good trafﬁc.
In my opinion they made me want to wake up for work
every morning. Part of resident both are very comfortable
and clean. In my workspace, my supervisor supported me
a notebook, table, machine demo and recommendation. I
think I love to do my job that I got. Something is new thing,
I had to take a long time for studying but it’s new ﬁnding
too which make me know more knowledge and a kindof work that I want to do in the future. Something is old
lessons that I used to study. I’m glad about I can apply myknowledge to do them, these works make me understandclearly about my job and what kind of knowledge that is
important which I have to ﬁnd more knowledge.
Mr. Narikorn Phitagragsakul
My life in this laboratory is really good. Prof. Daibo, he isvery good teacher and very kind. I have learned about
electrical, electronics, optics and many things from him. He
teach me not only knowledge but he also helped me about
how to live in Japan. People in the laboratory is pretty
well when I need some help they always helped me. So,
this laboratory makes me feel comforted. I have been to
Nagano Prefecture around two weeks for intern in SumidaCompany. This is a very good company, I have learned
Japanese work style and make new friends in the company.
More than technology and knowledge I have seen in myinternship, I also learned about Japanese culture that isthe best thing I have learned. Japan has many old andbeautiful culture. I’m so in love it. Morioka city is a pretty
good city. You can see the diversity in this city.
I have learned many things in this internship such astechnology, knowledge, Japanese culture and also makenew friends. Everything I have learned can make me betterin the future. In the future, I would like to come back toJapan again, so if I have a chance I don’t want to miss it.

Bulletin Board★ The short term i nt erns hi p p rogram t o Un i v e r si t y o f
Saskatchewan, Canada is coming up ！
Three graduate students are going to be sent to Canada. They are going to visit

The editor's notes
As many participating Japanese students
mentioned, those invited students
from abroad take positive actions in

Canadian Companies and cultural facilities in addition to the activities in the lab there.

terms of discussion, communication,

Their special experience in Canada will be introduced on the next KENGURO Quarterly.

or even lab activities. We hope that★ International internship program to Thailand ！
From 24th August ～ 15th September for 3 weeks, 8 students from our faculty joined
the internship program in King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)
and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) respectively.
Moreover, 2 of them had the practical training at Furukawa Fitel Thailand, and other 2
students went to Sumida Electric (Thailand) Co. Ltd. We will pick up this topic on the next
KENGURO Quarterly too.

our students will learn the positive
attitude from those invited students.

Editor：Special Committee on Globalization of Education &Research, Faculty of Science & Engineering,
Email: kenguro@iwate-u.ac.jp
TEL: 019-621-6405