Toyohashi University of Technology,
Institute for Global Network Innovation in Technology
Education

News from Penang（Vol.14 2017/11/22）

Reports

Diversity in Penang
Akemi Emoto, National Institute of Technology, Fukui College

though I was used to the speed in New York term, but

1．For lectures in Penang
I started preparing the teaching materials andI was overwhelmed by the difference in accent.

designing toward the practice of lecture in English. I

Therefore, I realized that flexible hearing ability isheard that I will have two classes by each threenecessary.

universities, and to present as the research sessions

3. Life and working style in Penang

with Malaysian researchers. In generally, lecturers

As you know, Penang has many immigrants fromneed to consider with students situations for lecture

Japan in recent and is comfortable to live. The one ofdesign but it was difficulty to know that. Therefore, I

life style which uses cheap food trucks and dinners

prepared only materials slides, handouts and pictures.

were more common. In addition, there were many

Then, I got some product design samples by observing

lifestyle support services that we could use easily, andthe Malaysian city and architectures.

it was said that it helped women's penetration into

2. Experiences in PSP, PTSB

society. And then, PSP, PTSB also had a majority ofI planned that introduction part entered to ice

female faculty members. Many female lecturers could

breaking as students who are all different about

have balanced education for kids with job, was aproficiency degree and specialized field.

workable environment.

2.1 Lectures
At the beginning of the lecture trainings, I lectured
about design theories while taking familiar cases andarchitectures to understand engineering designs for themechanical engineering course students in PSP andcivil engineering course students in PTSB. From thequestionnaire survey after two slots, it was relatively
well understood. And further, it was impressive thatthe demand on video teaching materials was strong.
Although Malaysian lecturers and I weren’t convinced,

Pic.1 Photo after class in PTSB

since the situation of using Internet is very popular, it
seems that animation is preferred as a material.
Therefore, I’ll try to use that in Japan because ofcommon trends in the world.
2.2 Understanding students
I felt Malaysian students who are hard workers andvery quiet in the class like Japanese students. They
tried to answer the quizzes seriously, but really shy
when nominating and talking in the class.
Initially, it was difficult to hear English, evenPic.2 Floating houses in Penang
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Global ability
Akemi Emoto, National Institute of Technology, Fukui College
Also, in this time, the schedule changed frequently,

1．Experiences in USM
I lectured in USM at the end of this training inand the content request of lecture themes allPenang. It was a complicated situations a bit as it’scorresponded to different things. Then, although I am

difficult to adjust the schedule and acceptance until

preparing, I realized the importance of the response

just before. I had to create my CV and acceptanceability again. In 2016, I experienced comparing therequest in a hurry for the Department of Housing anddiversity of the two countries, and now I am sure that

Building actually. Finally I could have lectured andthe ability to accept different worlds and clearlyexchanged as TUT staffs helped me and coordinated.

express intention is a global ability. As a result, I was

USM which is one of top level university inconvinced of the ability to train global human

Malaysia has huge campus and long history, and heir

resources and what kind of ability to train.

students are self-sustaining. I lectured urban andstFinally, I was able to connect a lot to the Unitednd

architectural design to 1 and 2 degree students, andStates and Malaysia through this program. I would

master course students in Department of Housing andlike to express my gratitude to everyone who has

Building in main campus. Because of third school, I

received much support. I appreciate all staffs in TUT,

was able to adjust the handout as I could assume theNIT, QC, PSP, PTSB, USM and NIT, Fukui college.

situation of the students. Mr. Noritaka Tange inMalaysia seems to be famous, and there are manystudents who are interested in Japanese architects andurban

planning.

Althoughtheresultofthequestionnaire surveys was generally highly evaluated,I also realized that I need more vocabulary as I musttake many cases to continue lecturing in English.
2. Allowance of diversity and global ability
The most shocked event in Penang was that thePic.1 Meeting at TUT Penang campus

Japanese were not talking to them, and they thoughtthat Japanese seemed to be unable to speak English.
When I talked with Uber's drivers I used like every
day it was mostly like this comment. It may reflect theattitude and achievement of Japanese communicationin the international society, which may be a hurdle forstudents and graduates to be active in the future. I
think it is necessary to nurture dialogue skills that arePic.2 Art of World Heritage in Penang

not just English skills.

Toyohashi University of TechnologyInstitute for Global Network Innovation in Technology Education
Center for International Education
1-1, Hibarigaoka, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan
Tel: +81-532-81-5161
Mail:unireform@office.tut.ac.jp

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