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Focus on!!

季刊報

vol.20

INDEX

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

Issued on March 31 2020

Focus on!!
・13 Univ. Students from China, Taiwan, and Colombia !!
・Student Exchange with the Hanbat National Univ. in Korea!
・Research Internship at Univ. of Saskatchewan in Canada!!

13 University Students were Invited from China, Taiwan, and Colombia!!
As a continuing effort from July 2019, Iwate University welcomed students from overseas with the support of the SAKURA SCIENCE
Exchange Program (Sakura Science Plan) under the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). From October 14 (Mon) to 20 (Sun),
2019, 12 undergraduate and graduate students from the Dalian University of Technology in China, the National Chiayi University
and the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, the Industrial University of Santander and University of Norte in Colombia andan administrative staff member from the Colombia Japan Returned Scholars Association were invited to participate in the Faculty of
Science and Engineering lab activities under the theme, “Create sensing devices for application in biological sciences!”

E xperiencing Front Line Research at Our Labs
The first day started with an orientation and was followed by lectures by

three instructors on the PBL (project based learning) at our labs, and the lab
tour. The program focused on three topics including (1) production of ZnO

bulk and applied research on sensing devices, (2) development and appliedclinical research of sensing devices for biomagnetism, and (3) biologicalsciences for intercellular transport.

After the two days of lab work, students closed the training at Iwate

University with a debriefing session titled "My Country & My University”

where they introduced their countries and universities and presented their

themed research results. It was a short two-day program, but all of theparticipants showed creativity in their presentations. They moved to Tokyoon the following day and visited Miraikan, Akihabara, and Ameyoko among
others. They enjoyed both cutting edge technologies and the commercial
culture of Japan and headed back home in good spirits.

Students that had been invited split into three groups and engaged inlab activities on the following day. Group 1 focused on the production of a
UV ray measuring device using a photoconductive ZnO UV ray sensor andconfirmed its performance with a control program. Group 2 made their own

electrocardiograph and measured their cardiac electrogram after hearing
an explanation about the cardiac signal measurement technologies. Group

3 conducted immunostaining experiments using cancer cells andobserved
Designed by Freepik
them with a confocal microscope．
Group 2 in their research
work (right). Producing anelectrocardiograph while
listening to an explanation
given by a TA at the
Kobayashi/Iwai Labs of theElectrical, Electronic, andCommunication Engineering
Course.

Group photo after a completion certificate awarding ceremony (top).

Participants' voice
Mr. Mario Alejandro Bastidas Ordonez, Machine Learning Course at
University of Norte in Columbia, M1:

The first night networking
event with Iwate University
students, faculty members,
and international students
at a Faculty of Science andEngineering cafeteria (left).

Colombian students demonstrating
a UV ray measurement device at
a debriefing session (right). The

device was made at the Osada/Abe
Labs, the Electrical, Electronic, andCommunication Engineering Course

For me, it was a unique experience. I have known othercountries, but in fact none compares to Japan. I am
really impressed by the culture and the way of living.
Being honest I feel a lot of peace in my heart after having
shared with Japanese people. I really liked the way Iwate
University investigates. They have very well equippedlaboratories. My stay in Japan was sensational, I felt likefamily. All the people I met in Morioka left a mark on mylife. I want to return one day as a student or researcher
to the Iwate University.

Ms. Chieh-Yu Huang, Biochemical Science and Technology at
National Chiayi University in Taiwan, B4:
The best harvest I have got from this program is thatthe works I learned in Prof. Shiba’s lab. Her innovative
research is a totally new to me. All the students in her lab
were so kind and I was really thankful to that. They evenstayed late in the lab to explain more about the researchworks to us. I really felt that life science is broad wideand deep. I have studied it for 4 years, but the works welearned were innovative and really new to me, and thatgave me a motivation to learn it more for sure. I believe
there is no limit for learning itself, so I should keep
learning with humble attitude.

Focus on!!

Two-way Student Exchange Took Place with the Hanbat National University in Korea!
Started in 2014 with an aim to promote the globalization of the Faculty of Science and Engineering students, our student exchange programwith the Hanbat National University celebrated its 6th year this year. So far about 50 graduate and undergraduate students have participatedfrom Iwate University to develop connection as a researcher as well as a student. This time, Iwate University hosted Korean students from
August 25 to 29, 2019 and the Hanbat National University hosted our students from September 22 to 29, 2019 in Daejeon.

T en Hanbat Students Invited to Iwate University!!
Joint PBL (problem-based learning) by Korea-Japan mixed teams is one of

the main events at our student exchange program. This time, it was Iwate
University students’ turn to propose PBL themes and as a result of their
discussion they decided on the following five themes:

The joint PBL continued on the second day and an interim debriefing washeld on each teams’ discussion in the afternoon. Based on the matterspointed out by Korean and Japanese instructors during the Q&A session,
students continued to engage in discussion within each team. A completion
ceremony was held after that where a certificate of completion was handed
to each of the students.
On the next day, students visited Oshu, home of Nambu cast ironware, to(1) Approach to eco-friendly material,(2) Development of infrastructure for life on celestial bodies excluding the earth,(3) Solutions to the problem: Proceeding lack of food,have Korean students experience Iwate’s local industry. Oshu is famous forthe traditional craftsmanship featuring over 900 years of Nambu cast ironware
history and about 60 workshops and factories. After they were introduced to(4) Suppression of desertification, andhistory and recent research on casting at the Casting Technology Exchange(5) Application of IT Technology to education.
The first day of exchange started with mini lectures by six Japanese andKorean instructors, followed by the introduction of participants in English,
and the introduction to joint PBL themes. The presentation in English went
well for students as a result of two prior rehearsals. Then, they split into five
Korea-Japan mixed groups to discuss solutions for each of the themes fromthe science and engineering perspective.

Center, they had a tour on an actual manufacturing site at Oigen Foundry
located nearby. The tour became a special opportunity for both Korean andJapanese students as many Iwate University students were new to actual
casting work as well. Next, they went to Hiraizumi, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, and visited Chusonji temple and Motsuji temple. Iwate students often
struggled in explaining history and sites of Hiraizumi to Hanbat students in
English. After that, they returned to the university to close the program andsaid a brief farewell until they saw each other a month later in Korea.

Joint PBL in the morningof Day 2 (right). Students
formed groups of two

L i s t e n i n gt oHanbat students tocasting process at the

Iwate students and two

explanation on thecollaborate on tasks.

Casting Technology
Exchange Center (left).

Interim presentation

A guide explainingof Day 2 (left).

Chusonji temple sutra

theme (2).

Hiraizumi (right). Choi

held in the afternoon

in front of the

Presenting ideas forrepository building infrom the International

Office interpreted for
Hanbat students.

Enjoying wankosoba at

Group photo withof exchange (right). Hanbat

students and faculty

Azumaya on the first night
students ate a lot despite it
being their first try.

Iwate and Hanbat
members after thecompletion ceremony(left).

T raining Exchange at Hanbat National Univ. in Korea!!
The first two days of the training was dedicated to a joint PBL and debriefing

session. Students were able to create a presentation that expanded beyond

the discussion in the past process through creating new ideas and discussing

Joint PBL final debriefing

communication. Although it was not easy for the students, they had ateam that focused on

session (left). The

quantitative capabilities. The joint PBL with Korean students involved English

Theme (2) received Best

meaningful experience as they were able to develop stronger ties beyond

Presentation Award.

academic aspect.

Students took a tour around a museum and library on campus on the nextday. What caught students’ attention were their IT-based lecture system
including special equipment and a studio for filming web classes. The

afternoon was spent on Korean cultural experiences in Jeonju where theJoseon dynasty was founded. Students explored ancient Han-Ok Village andenjoyed traditional clothes. At the Traditional Hanji Center, students learned
traditional paper-making techniques through first-hand experience.

Filming studio in theanalyzing organic light emitting diodes at the organic material lab, studying

being written on the

The remaining two days were dedicated to lab work including making andthe energy efficiency of solar panels and experimenting on air pollution

library (right). What’stransparent board?

sensors at the architecture engineering lab, and engaging in metal surface
polishing and microscopic observation at the material engineering lab. The
research environment and attitude in Korea seemed to have enhanced Iwate

University students' motivation toward their research. All of them moved toSeoul the next day for cultural experiences, and Iwate students departed forJapan after a lingering farewell.

At the Traditional Hanji

Center (left). All were

surprised to learn that

Last meal in Seoul (right).

hanji was used for various

During the training

purposes includingin Korea, students

clothing and floors inenjoyed a wide range ofaddition to its normal

Korean food including

usage as paper.

bibimbap, samgyeopsal,

seolleongtang, dak galbi,
and regional specialties.

Participants' voice
Mr. Hidenobu Sato, Chemistry B4:
We were only able to spend two weeks with Korean
students. But during those two weeks, we built thestrongest possible relationship through the PBL
training and field trips to facilities and cultural assets.
It wasn’t easy for me to have technical conversations
in English but the more I spoke the more words
gradually started coming out of my mouth naturally.
No matter what you do in everyday life or what you
discuss, speed matters. In that sense, this exchange training at Hanbat
National University gave me an invaluable experience that I have neverbeen able to have in a classroom environment. Korean students are moreproactive than Japanese students. I felt that strongly during our PBL andlab-activities. This certainly stimulated my motivation toward my own
study and research work. I would like to keep studying on my own andvisit Korea again someday.

Ms. Nanami Miyauchi, Chemistry M1:
Although we only had three days in Japan and a weekin Korea together, I never imagined that I could havesuch deep friendships with Korean students. It wasn’t
easy to make myself understood in English which
I wasn’t used to speaking but when they actually
understood what I tried to say, that gave me so muchjoy and communication became much more fun. Even
though we are from different countries, we shared thesame excitement of conversations during sightseeing andsocial gatherings, and we interacted as good friends as we do in Japan.
Struggling together to prepare presentations desperately on the day
before the presentation day is now a great memory. I can never forget
the taste of Korean barbecue after that! This training program certainly
made me grow.

Mr. Kye InSeok, Advanced Materials Engineering B3:

Ms. Jung Yae-jin, Urban Engineering M1:When I first received an international capstone offerfrom my professor, I was more afraid than expected.
But when started, it became increasingly interesting
and I wanted to meet and discuss with Japanese
students as soon as possible. Contrary to what I wasworried about, the discussion was smooth enoughto make students feel no language barrier. Later, when
they visited Korea, I was able to have a good time and finish
the capstone as if I had met them yesterday. The only thing I felt wasthat it was the ultimate goal of this international capstone that the team
was able to build a good relationship by feeling and interacting witheach other rather than playing the PBL.

When I met my friends in Japan, ate together, came up
with ideas about the topic, and talked about questions
about different countries, I felt more affectionate than
the strange feeling of talking to foreign friends. In theprocess of thinking about each other and preparing forthe presentation, we felt responsibility and motivated tocome up with better ideas towards our common goal. It
wasan unusual big opportunity to think about and solve various
phenomena. For each other's majors, it was also an unusual opportunity
to share what kind of research each university does. I think the power tolearn about Japanese culture in Japan and to communicate with eachother and the world has grown.

Focus on!!

Research Internship at University of Saskatchewan in Canada!!
The three-week research internship at the University of Saskatchewan is a training program started at the Faculty of Science andEngineering in 2013 and is designed to develop students' international research skills. Science and Engineering graduate students

stay independently in relevant laboratories and conduct research with overseas staff and students. This year, two interns were on thistraining from October 28 to November 16, 2019.

Mr. Nobuhiko Hirano, M1
Materials Science and Engineering
I did my three-week research internship at Prof. Szpunar’s lab in
the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering. I
was worried about communicating in English in a foreign land, but I
was able to conduct research with the help of Prof. Szpunar and othermembers of the lab. It was my first time to spend three weeks without
using Japanese, but I realized that my conversation skills gradually
improved and my English got a little better. The students in the lab
were very kind and helped me with the experiments and my school life.
Also, the host family who assisted the internship was very supportivein an unfamiliar land and treated me warmly. Canada actively accepts
immigrants and hosts people of various races. It was very interestingas I was able to see a world that I could not have ever known in Japan.
It was a very meaningful internship to learn how to approach overseas
research and to motivate my own research.

Mr. Hiromasa Yamazaki, M2
Electrical, Electronic, and Communication Engineering
Last year, I participated in an international research internship at the

University of Saskatchewan under the same program, and learned theresearch know-how directly linked to my master's thesis. I was glad
to have the opportunity to participate in this program again this year,
but on the other hand, I was under the pressure of having to acquire
even deeper knowledge. However, because I prepared and emailed thematerials that reinforced the content from last year in advance, I wasable to have more in-depth discussions once I was there. In addition,
Dr. Gupta gave me a phone call every day and visited the lab for me.
Thanks to him I was able to gain various knowledge on nonlinear
control. Also, on weekday nights and holidays, I enjoyed various board
games with my host family, watched movies together, went to see
children's hockey practice, etc. This program was full of satisfying

experiences for me.

With students from

With the hostcare of me (left)

at a hockey

the lab who tookfamily child
pitch (right).

A large bridge

near the university(left). The river

Filipino Canadiansometime ices up

host family (right)

Bulletin Board
We are planning to carry out some international programs next year as usual・Internship to University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

・Internship to King Mongkut's Univ. of Technology Thonburi, Thailand.
・PBL Training Program with Hanbat National University, Korea.

Please check out the advertising notice on the hall way or on emails.

You can also check out on us directly. We'll be waiting for you to apply!!

on a freezing day.

Editor:Special Committee on Globalization of Education &Research, Faculty of Science & Engineering,
Email: kenguro@iwate-u.ac.jp
TEL: 019-621-6405
Please visit our website for details !!
http://www.kenguro.iwate-u.ac.jp/