Visit from National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India

  Assistant Prof. Brij Bhooshan Gupta and his 5 students of National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra (NIT-KKR), India visited Faculty of Engineering Yamaguchi University (YU) on the 15th of October and had a courtesy visit to Prof. Tsutsumi, Dean of our faculty. Assistant Prof. Brij Bhooshan Gupta introduced NIT-KKR and discussed promoting our further exchange plan between two parties through SAKURA SCIENCE EXCHANGE PROGRAM in the future.

Courtesy visit from Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia

  Dr. Emma Yukiani, Lecturer of Universitas Brawijaya and 10 students gave a courtesy call on Dean Tsutsumi, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University.
  They came to learn and experience the advanced environmental technologies in water treatment and waste disposal supported by Sakura Science Plan Program (JST)
Wefre expecting a great opportunities to strengthen partnerships in the future.

Visit from Bangladesh Energy & Power Research Council (BEPRC)

  On August 26, Mr. Mohammad Samsher Ali, and his group of Bangladesh Energy & Power Research Council (BEPRC) gave a courtesy call on Dean Tsutsumi, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University.
  The group explained the outline of their activities and had an active discussion on Research and Education, exchange students and academic staff between 2 parties. Wefre expecting a great opportunities to strengthen partnerships in the future.

Courtesy visit from Universitas Brawijaya- Summer Course Program from Indonesia

  5 students from Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia had completed 2 weeks Summer Course Program at Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University. The final day of the program, those students and their supervisor, Associate Prof. Riyanto Haribowo had a courtesy visit to our Dean, Prof. Tsutsumi. They talked about what their experiences during their stay and were awarded a certificate of completion of the program.

Visit from University College London (UCL)
～The 10^th Choshu-London Symposium in Chemistry～

  Jim Anderson, a Professor of Organic Chemistry and Prof. Helen C Hailes, a Professor of Chemical Biology, UCL visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University on the 15th of March, holding The 10th Choshu-London Symposium in Chemistry.
  They paid a courtesy call on Prof. Shinji, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University. They exchanged their opinions regarding their research and further relationship between two parties.
  Then we held The 10th Choshu-London Symposium in Chemistry.
  The symposium is an academic symposium to the memory of The Choshu Five studied at UCL. In the symposium, 5 researchers from the field in Engineering, Medicine and Science had a presentation on Development of Biochemistry and Medicine based Organic Chemistry. The Audiences listened attentively to the research.
  We are expecting that this visit contributes to the further development of our both academic staff and students’ relationship in the future.
  To see the 10^th of symposium.

Visit from National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, India

  Prof. Awadhesh Kumar Singh and Assistant Prof. Brij Bhooshan Gupta of National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra (NIT-KKR), India visited Faculty of Engineering Yamaguchi University (YU) on the 22^nd of January. They had a courtesy visit to Prof. Shinji, Dean of our faculty, and discussed the further exchange development between two parties. NIT-KKR also introduced their educational and research plan in the future.
  After the visit, we held the joint symposium. In the symposium, Prof. Singh gave a lecture of “Recent Advancements in Cloud Security: Issues and Challenges”, and Assistant Prof. Gupta talked about “The Security Issues in Web and Cloud Computing”. Furthermore, Prof. Yamaguchi, Assoc. Prof. Fukushi and Assistant Prof. Anuaruddin of Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, YU also talked about their research achievement of Security Analysis for IoT System and exchanged their opinions.
  We are expecting that this visit contributes to the further development of our both academic staff and students’ relationship in the future.

Visit from Udayana University

  From the 4th to the 7th of December, Prof. Pujianiki and 2 civil engineering students of Udayana University visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University.
  The group met our Dean Prof. Shinji and Professors from all fields of civil engineering and learned the research here in Yamaguchi University.
  Prof. Pujianiki gave a lecture of "Wave Theory" to Civil and Environmental Engineering students. It was a great opportunities to get to know the research in Indonesia.
  After that, on the 18th, Prof. Ir. Ngakan Putu Gede Suardana had a courtesy visit and observes Mechanical Engineering Laboratories and experimental equipment.
  We could discuss our research and future exchanges and deepen our cooperative relationship our both academic staff and students' relationship in the future between 2 parties.

Visit from Chungbuk National University, Korea

  Prof. Jai-Hak Park, Dean of College of Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Korea and other members visited Yamaguchi University on October 30th for 3 days.
  On the 31st, The 4th Joint Seminar was held at Engineering Campus. Opening Speech from Dean of both parties, Prof. Shinji and Prof. Jai-Hak Park, the participants from members had academic presentations and active discussions on their research field.
  Next, they moved to Yoshida Campus which is main campus of Yamaguchi University. They had a courtesy visit to President Oka. The group was introduced the art of Japanese-style painter Ryoji Baba in University Hall, then visited Archaeological Museum and General Library.
  We are expecting that this visit contributes to the further development of our both academic staff and students' relationship in the future.
  To see the 4th Joint seminar program

Visiting Kunsan National University (Korea)

  The party of Prof. Shinji, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University visited Kunsan National University (KNU) from September 7th for 3 days. KNU is our partner university concluding agreements between us.
  At Kunsan National University, they had a courtesy visit to Prof. Eui-Gyun Na, President of Kunsan National University and exchanged their opinions about future relationship between two parties.
  Then The 9th Joint Seminar was held, opening speech by Prof. Jae-Wan Lee, Dean of College of Engineering, Kunsan National University. After that each academic staff had a presentation on their major and actively exchanged their opinions and information. After the seminar, our party visited Semangum campus to see the facilities and observe their experiments.
  The Joint seminar is hold at both universities and next year, we will host them at Tokiwa engineering Campus, Yamaguchi University. We are expecting that our relationship continues to develop more and more in the future.
  To see the 9th of Joint seminar program

Visitors from Istanbul Sehir University and Universidade Nova de Lisboa - Erasmus+

  Based on the Erasmus+, Prof. Ensar Gül, Dean of College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Sehir University and 3 administrative officers of Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal, Ms. Raquel Martinho, Célia Janota, Carlotta Pisano visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University from the 3rd of July for a week.
  On the first day, they gave a courtesy call on Prof. Shinji, Dean of Faculty of Engineering. They introduced their universities and exchanged their opinion about the future relationship among the parties.
  Then they moved to Yoshida Campus, which is the main campus of Yamaguchi University located in Yamaguchi City, and met Vice President (International Cooperation) Miura and visited the facilities in the campus. They also visited Prof. Shigyo and LED irradiation optimized for plant growth facilities and learned the Shigyo Method for Cultivation. After that, they visited Main Library.
  Furthermore, Prof. Ensar Gül gave a lecture on "Design Patterns" in English. Audiences are students of Intelligent Systems and Media Engineering Course and Information Systems Engineering Course, Division of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, who were all ears and worked hard in the lecture.
  In addition, they interacted with both academic and administrative staff, our student, and enjoyed experiencing calligraphy and the tea ceremony with international students.
  Through Erasmus+, we expect our further continuous relationship each other and promoting globalization on research and education in the future.

Internship students from Kasetsart University

  8 internship students visited Yamaguchi University from Kasetsart University (6 from Si Racha Campus and 2 from Bangkok Campus), Thailand. Prof. Shinji, Dean of Faculty of Engineering received their courtesy call from them on the 2^nd of June.
  Dr. Vacharapat Mettanant, Dr. Jirarote Buranarote and 8 students joined the Discussion with Dean, Prof. Shinji, Vice Dean, Prof. Yamada, Prof. Tsutsumi, Prof. Yamamoto, Prof. Yamaguchi and Secretary General Ms. Sugiyama.
  After Welcome Speech by Prof. Shinji, internship students introduced their research. Some of them speak Japanese very fluently.
  They will have stayed for a laboratory about a few months respectively and worked on their research which they are interested in.
  We accepted one student from the university last year so that we expect our further continuous relationship each other in the future.

Visitors from Universidade Nova de Lisboa - Erasmus+

  Based on the Erasmus+, Assistant Professor Pedro Cabral of Information Management School, Paulo Costa, an administrative officer of Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal, visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University from the 29^th May for a week.
  On the first day, they gave a courtesy call on Prof. Shinji, Dean of Faculty of Engineering. They introduced their universities and exchanged their opinion about the future relationship between 2 parties on Erasmus+.
  Then they moved to Yoshida Campus, which is the main campus of Yamaguchi University located in Yamaguchi City, and met Advisor to the Vice President Tomimoto who is in charge of International Cooperation Affairs, and visited the facilities in the campus.
  Furthermore, Prof. Cabral gave a lecture on "Geographical Information Science and Technology: Applications to coastal hazards" in English. Audiences are students of Information Systems Engineering Course, Division of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, who were all ears and worked hard in the lecture.
  In addition, they interacted with both academic and administrative staffs, our students, and international students and observed lectures conducted in English.
  We have accepted 5 students and academic and administrative staffs from the university so far, and another visiting plan will be achieved this July. We expect our further continuous relationship each other in the future.

Visit from Istanbul Sehir University

  Based on the Erasmus+, Ms. Ilknur Kaplan, an administrative officer of Istanbul Sehir University visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University from the 15th May for a week.
  On the first day of her visit, Ms. Kaplan introduced about Istanbul Sehir University and exchanged opinions between 2 parties.
  Then she moved to Yoshida Campus, which is the main campus of Yamaguchi University located in Yamaguchi City, and met Advisor to the Vice President Tomimoto, being in charge of International Cooperation Affairs, visited the facilities in the campus.
  Furthermore, she observed lectures conducted in English and Engineering campus so that she got to know how the campus life is like here when international students live and study at Yamaguchi University.
  Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University and College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Sehir University have just concluded MOU between 2 parties since April, 2017 and we are going to welcome Dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences of Sehir University this July.

Professor Shuichi Yamamoto of the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation (Engineering) has been presented with the Award for Outstanding Research Achievement by the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan.

  Professor Shuichi Yamamoto of the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation (Engineering) (Director of YUBEC*) has been awarded the SCEJ Award for Outstanding Research Achievement (Kamesaburo Ikeda Memorial Award). He received the award at the SCEJ 82nd Annual Meeting and gave the award lecture titled "Studies on Biochromatography Separation Engineering" on Monday, March 6, at Toyosu Campus, Shibaura Institute of Technology.
  The award is granted to individuals who have conducted outstanding research pertaining to chemical engineering and have built up a track record of comprehensively distinguished achievements in the academic field. Professor Yamamoto has developed original models that took into account both the transport phenomena and the recognition of biological molecules in chromatography of biological molecules (biochromatography). He was quick to notice the importance of the chromatographic separation and purification process for proteins such as antibodies, and the importance of its mechanistic models. The "Yamamoto model," which makes it possible to infer the separation mechanism, can be applied not only to the rational determination of operation variables but also to the analysis of molecular recognition. The usefulness of the model is being demonstrated in protein drug purification processes in biotech industry throughout the world. Professor Yamamoto's model is now being used both in Japan and overseas in areas ranging from rapid process development to process analysis, and also to the development of novel separation methods. This award represents the high regard from both the academic and industrial worlds that has been accorded to Professor Yamamoto's achievements, through which he has played a leading role internationally in the field of bioseparation engineering.
  * YUBEC: Yamaguchi University Biomedical Engineering Center

Visit from Universiti Malaysia PAHANG

  Dr. Muzamir Bin Hasan, Director of Centre for Earth Resources Research & Management (CERRM), Universiti Malaysia PAHANG visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University on the 26th of April, having paid a courtesy call of Prof. Shinji, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi Universiy.
  These 2 parties have kept good relationship since 2014 and we sent more than 20 students in total to Universiti Malaysia PAHANG for their English Training Program.
  In addition to Dean, Prof. Saito, Head of International Cooperation Office, Prof. Hyodo, Assoc. Prof. Azizul joined the meeting. They had an active discussion on Research and Education, exchange students and academic staff between 2 parties.
  Dr. Muzamir visited our university in 2015, and this visit will be more meaningful to 2 parties in the future.

Visit of the Minister of the Water Resources Department of Bihar State, India

  H. E. Mr. Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Honblé Minister, Water Resources Department of Bihar State, India, and five governmental officials visited the Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University on December 19, 2016, and a seminar on disaster risk and water resources management was convened.
  Bihar State is located in the middle part of the Ganges River Basin with a fertile agricultural ground. However, the state suffers from flood disasters every year, and the state government aims to strengthen its capacity of flood risk management with the supports of the World Bank.
  The delegation visited Japan to learn state-of-the-art technologies on flood risk management, and Prof. Imamura, Advanced Science and Innovational Research Center, organized the visit upon the request of the World Bank. The delegation visited our university to learn our cutting-edge research results on disaster risk and water resources management, in addition to the relevant organizations, such as Okayama River Management Office of the Chugoku Regional Development Bureau in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), and the Institute of Industrial Science in the University of Tokyo.
  Following the courtesy visit to Prof. Masato Shinji, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the Seminar titled "Innovative technology on disaster risk management and water resources management" was held. Prof. Imamura coordinated the seminar, and Prof. Fusanori Miura made an opening remark followed by presentations of six professors. The delegation showed strong interests in the research results.
[ Seminar Program ]
Innovative technology on disaster risk management and water resources management
Moderator: Prof. Yoshiyuki Imamura
Opening remark: Prof. Fusanori Miura
Prof. Fusanori Miura
  "Future plan of international cooperation of Center for Research and Application of Satellite Remote Sensing (CRSSaReS) of YU"
Prof. Koji Asai
  "On effect of hazard map on consciousness of flood disaster prevention"
Prof. Norikazu Shimizu
  "Displacement monitoring for risk management of infrastructures using space technologies"
Associate Prof. Keiji Imaoka
  "Passive microwave observation of earth's water from space"
Associate Prof. Masahiko Nagai
  "Space technology utilization for urban environment"
Prof. Kesayoshi Hadano
  "Evaluation of the upstream water level of the submerged weir"

Visitor from Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Erasmus+ Program)

  Mr. David Ribas Maranha of Universidade Nova de Lisboa visited Yamaguchi University from 14th of November for 5 days. He stayed here as a short training program of Erasmus+, EU International Education Program. We've already accepted 2 academic staff but he is the first visitor as administrative staff since the program embarked last August.
  On day one, our university staff exchanged their ideas in English. Engaged in architectural affairs, Mr. Maranha took a tour of facilities in Tokiwa campus, disaster-related area in Ube city, newly established day care and the building site of hospital ward in Kogushi Campus.
  On the last day, he visited Global Engineering Development Center in Tokiwa Campus and we introduced our curriculum on Global Education for Engineering students.
  We expect that Staff exchange by Erasmus+ Program will encourage a mutually rewarding relationship between 2 universities in the future.

Visit from Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Erasmus+ Program)

  Dr. Castelli Mauro of Universidade Nova de Lisboa visited Yamaguchi University from 4th of November for 1 week. He stayed here as a short training program as Erasmus+, EU International Education Program. We have accepted 2 academic staff since the program started last August.
  He talked about "Genetic Programming" in his lecture "Advanced Topics in Intelligent Systems and Media Engineering II" and "Advanced Topics in Information Systems Engineering II". Then both academic staff actively exchanged their ideas.
  This program has promoted internationalization in education and research between 2 universities. In addition Yamaguchi University held the international symposium with Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Universidad de Zaragoza since 2013 and the 4th symposium will be held next year.

Associate Prof. Shingo Yamaguchi and Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Bin Ab Malek, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation have won the Outstanding Paper Award in IEEE GCCE 2016

  Associate Prof. Shingo Yamaguchi (in the middle), Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation with Assistant Prof. B.B. Gupta (in the left), National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra India has won the Outstanding Paper Award in 2016 IEEE The 5th Global Conference on Consumer Electronics (GCCE 2016) which was held from 11th until 14th October 2016.
  This award is awarded to researchers who have made an excellent paper presented at the GCCE 2016. The title of presented paper is "XSS Detection with Automatic View Isolation on Online Social Network". They proposed a new detection method for the attack using the vulnerability of social networks.
  Furthermore, Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Bin Ab Malek (in the right), first year of master' s program, Division of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, a member of Associate Prof. Shingo Yamaguchi's Laboratory, has won the IEEE GCCE 2016 Outstanding Student Paper Award.
  This award is awarded to students who have made an excellent paper presented at the GCCE 2016. The title of presented paper is "On Privacy Verification in the IoT Service Based on PN2", has proposed a new way to verify on the basis of the privacy in IoT (Internet of Things) service to the net theory in this paper.
  After receiving the award, Bin Ab Malek said "This award will encourage me to become a researcher for realizing safe and secure smart society".

Visit Chungbuk National University, Korea

 Prof. Matsuda, Head of International Cooperation Office, and 4 academic and administrative staff visited Chungbuk National University, Korea.
 We visited Prof. Kyung-Ho Youm, Dean of College of Engineering and Prof. Cang-Seop Koh, Dean of College of Electrical and Computer Engineering to sign on the MOU between 2 parties respectively.
 Then the 3rd Research Exchange Seminar held and an active discussion was held with them.
 After the session, they visited Prof. Yeo-Pyo Yun, President of Chungbuk National University and exchanged their opinions on their future relationship.
 This seminar is regularly held once a year at both universities and Yamaguchi University will be the venue for the next seminar. We're expecting further relationship will be expanded in the future.
Click here to see the contents of the seminar

Visit from Kunsan National University, Korea

 7 academic and administrative staff such as Professor Jae-Jeong Hwang, Dean of College of Engineering, Kunsan National University, Korea, visited our Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University, from the 18th to 20th of August. Kunsan National University and Yamaguchi University has an academic exchange agreement.
 On the 18th, they visited Prof. Shinji, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University and had discussions on our future collaboration in both academic and students exchange between 2 parties.
The 8th Joint Seminar was held on the 19th, which offered a platform to exchange information actively from both parties.
 We expect that this visit would make further progress in our relationship in both students and academic exchange.
Click here to see the contents of the Joint Seminar

SP!ED Opening Ceremony Held

 On Friday, 19 August, the Opening Ceremony for the 4th Summer Program for Innovative Engineering Design (SP!ED) was held at Yoshida Campus, Yamaguchi University. Approximately 100 students and 23 faculty members attended the ceremony.
 SPIED is a two-week summer program designed for engineering students from Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan. The SP!ED program was launched by Yamaguchi University, Jiangsu University, China and Kunsan National University, Korea. The first SPIED program was hosted by Yamaguchi University in 2013, and every year since then one of the founding member universities has hosted the program. This year, the program has returned to Yamaguchi University with the largest number of participants yet.
 Mr. Katsuhisa Hironaka, Vice Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Mr. Zhenliang He, Consul General of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Fukuoka, and Mr. Jangeun Seo, Consul General of the Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Hiroshima, were invited to the ceremony as guests of honor. Dr. Euigyun Na, President of Kunsan National University, accompanied by 10 of his staff, Dr. Yeo-Pyo Yun, President of Chungbuk National University along with 7 of his staff, as well as faculty members from Jiangsu University, China, Chongqing University of Technology, China, and University of Seoul, Korea also attended the ceremony.
 Participants from different countries will form teams and work together on planning, designing, producing, and presenting a prototype following the program theme: Life Innovation for Aging Societies. Through the collaborative work and the summer camp, they will gain a deeper understanding of one another and build invaluable cross-border friendships.
 The SP!ED Program provides participants with the opportunity to try their hand at manufacturing in a global landscape. It will be held at Yamaguchi Prefecture Seminar Park until 30 August. Later this year, a presentation of theses, "CEDC & ICIARE," is scheduled to be held at Chungbuk National University, Korea on 22-25 December, 2016. The presentation aims to present research outcomes based on SP!ED program results.

A research achievement by Assistant Professor Dr. Harutoshi Asakawa of the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation has been published in Nature Physics, Nature's sister journal!

 A research achievement by Dr. Harutoshi Asakawa, Assistant Professor of the Crystal Engineering Laboratory, Applied Chemistry in Engineering at the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, has been introduced in "Research Highlights" in Nature Physics, Nature's sister journal.
 He studied the behavior of water films (Fig. 2) on ice surfaces formed below the melting point (0°C) under various water vapor pressures, using a special optical microscope (Fig. 1) which is able to detect one-molecular height (0.37nm) on ice surfaces. As a result, they found that the two types of water films on ice surfaces are formed not by the melting of the ice, but by the deposition of water vapor. In the conventional picture, it had been thought that these water films are formed by "surface melting," where the ice melts. However, this research achievement turned the long-believed "surface melting" picture on its head (Fig. 3).
 This achievement was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (impact factor: 9.7; PNAS, 113 (7), 1749-1753, 2016), and was also selected by Nature Physics, sister journal of Nature, to have its abstract printed in "Research Highlights." (Nature Physics, 12 (3), 201, 2016)
 Such liquid films are also observed on metal crystals, semiconductor crystals, organic crystals, etc. Hence, these findings are expected to contribute to the elucidation of interface phenomena which occur just below the melting points of these crystal materials.
Article URL:
http://www.pnas.org/content/113/7/1749.full?sid=427f55bd-b95a-4b00-96be-84b27d45a630
Figure 1. A laser confocal microscope combined with differential interference contrast microscope, which can visualize one-molecular height (0.37nm) on ice surfaces.
Figure 2. Thin layers and droplets covering an ice surface.
Figure 3. Relation between the appearance of the two types of water films and water vapor pressure. This achievement is shown on the left, and the conventional picture is also shown on the right. Under high water vapor pressure, thin layers and droplets appeared (A). With decreasing water vapor pressure, the thin layers first disappeared (B), and then droplets disappeared under low supersaturation conditions (C).

Professor Masaaki Ishikawa of the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation has won the 2016 Outstanding Paper Award of the Institute of Systems, Control and Information Engineers!

 At the 60th Lecture Meeting of the Institute of Systems, Control and Information Engineers, held on Thursday, May 26, Professor Masaaki Ishikawa of the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation won and was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Paper Award of the Institute of Systems, Control and Information Engineer.
 This Outstanding Paper Award is awarded to the authors of papers published in Transactions of the Institute of Systems, Control and Information Engineers in the last two years which make a significant contribution in terms of scholarship and technology. The title of the paper is, "On the Bifurcation Analysis of the Stochastic Predator-prey System based on the D-bifurcation."
 The paper discusses the stochastic bifurcation of a predator-prey system, and has clarified the impact of random noise on bifurcation phenomena. A bifurcation phenomenon is a phenomenon in which a variation in parameters causes changes in the qualitative properties of a system. Thanks to this research, it has become possible to analyze the impact of noise on bifurcations in predator-prey systems, and the way has been opened to analysis of the impact of environmental changes on food chains, etc. These points received high recognition as outstanding research which will contribute to the development of the systems, control and information fields.
 Expressing his joy at having received the award, Professor Ishikawa spoke of his passion for his own research: "I am absolutely delighted that the path of my research over the last 40 years, which has been devoted to stochastic systems theory, has been recognized in this way. Generally, we picture noise as an unwanted nuisance, but it also has many useful properties. This research has clarified one of these. I believe that our lives, too, become all the richer in humanity when we falter as a result of noise. So, I will continue to conduct research while cherishing noise."

Professor Shuji Nakamura from University of California delivers 'The 5th "Place of Wisdom" Academic Lecture' and 'The Opto- Energy Research Center Special Seminar.'

 On Thursday, May 19, 2016, Yamaguchi University's Tokiwa Campus welcomed Professor Shuji Nakamura from the University of California, Santa Barbara as an instructor, and held an academic lecture and seminar.
 In 1993, Professor Nakamura invented the world's first double heterostructure high-efficiency blue LED with InGaN as an active layer. In 1995, he achieved the world's first successful pulse oscillation of blue-violet semiconductor laser. The commercialized LEDs are widely used in all kinds of displays, vehicle lighting, indoor and outdoor lighting and more, while blue-violet semiconductor lasers are used as light sources for high-density optical recording on optical disks. He has received numerous awards for these achievements, including the Nobel Prize for Physics, the Order of Culture and recognition as a Person of Cultural Merits in 2014, and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015. Since 2000, he has been a professor at the Materials Department of the University of California, Santa Barbara.
 In the morning, in classroom D 22, Professor Nakamura gave a special seminar, "Global Frontiers in Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Research," for the Opto-Energy Research Center, one of the research hubs of the Advanced Science & Innovation Research Center of the Organization for Research Initiatives, Yamaguchi University. The seminar welcomed about 130 participants, including students, faculty members and people involved with companies.
 First, Vice President Kenji Hori (in charge of academic research) opened the proceedings with the greeting, "I hope this seminar will help everyone participating in it with their research."
 Next, Professor Nakamura delivered a lecture in which he introduced the University of California, Santa Barbara and activities and future prospects at the SSLEEC (Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center), the research institute where he serves as director.
 In the Q&A session after the lecture, he had this message for the participants with regard to the difference between Asian students and European and American students: "Great discoveries are born from fervent experimentation. Asian students are passionate about experiments and make lots of great discoveries, but struggle to write them up into papers. It is important to store up more theoretical knowledge, the way that European and American students do."
 In the afternoon, with classroom D11 as its main venue, the 5th "Place of Wisdom" academic lecture, "Young Scientists, Flap Your Wings and Go Out into The World" was held, and welcomed about 500 participants, including students, faculty members and people involved with companies.
 First, university president Masaaki Oka opened the proceedings with the greeting, "This lecture is a great chance for students to get a spirit of challenge. I am also very excited myself."
 Next, Professor Nakamura gave a lecture in which he spoke with humor about his life as a university student and how he struggled when he was developing the blue LEDs, the inside story from when he received the Nobel Prize, and his own future prospects. He also had an encouraging message for the participants: "I definitely want young people to go overseas. By going overseas, they can improve their English, something which Japanese people find difficult, and can take a look at Japan from the outside."
 In the Q&A session after the lecture, participants asked many questions, including about the differences between the systems of support for researchers in Japan and America, and Professor Nakamura's own attitude as a researcher. Besides Tokiwa Campus, the lecture was also relayed live to Yoshida Campus. The high level of interest toward the lecture could be seen for example from the many media organizations that visited to cover it.
 At the end, President Oka gave a letter of appreciation to Professor Nakamura, and the 5th Place of Wisdom academic lecture ended on a high note.

Year-End Party for International Students

 International Students were invited to year-end party on the 12th of December. The event is held with kind cooperation by Ube International Students Association every year. They belong to Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine of Yamaguchi University, Ube Frontier University and National Institute of Technology, Ube College, respectively.
 One of the International students from China played 「HULUSI」, that is Gourd whistle, traditional instrument of China. In addition, they enjoyed magic show and BINGO game. More than 100 gifts were offered for BINGO by administrative staff of Faculty of Engineering and they enjoyed a enjoyable day.

Visit from Univasitas Malaysia Pahang (Malaysia)

 Senior Lecturer Musamir bin Hasan of Univasitas Malaysia Pahang visited Engineering Campus. Universitas Pahang has accepted our students since 2013 as the Language Training Program for Engineers. Senior Lecturer Musamir was accompanied by Prof. Masayuki Hyodo and met Dean Shinji. They have a lively discussed both academic and students exchange between 2 parties. Then Senior Lecturer Musamir visited On Campus residence Tokiwa Domitory C, MUSUBI, International House. The next day, he visited Main campus YOSHIDA and visited and discussed with staff of Office for International Affairs Strategy. On the final day, they visited Global Engineering Development Center and exchanged the information and views about the future collaboration between 2 parties.

Visit from Chongqing University of Technology (China)

 On November 24, Vice-president of Chongqing University of Technology (CUT) visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University (YUFE) to discuss both academic and students interaction between two parties with the Dean Meeting Room with Professor Shinji, Dean of YUFE and Professor Zhongwei JIANG. This visit is expected to encourage further academic and research collaboration between YUFE and CUT.

Visiting from Московский государственный университет информационных технологий (Moscow Technical University, Russia)

 Prof. Alexander S. Sigov, Dean of Московский государственный университет информационных технологий(Moscow Technical University) accompanied by Director of Institute of Time Kai visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University on the 17th of November. They met Dean Shinji of Faculty of Engineering, Director Matsuda of International Exchange Affairs and Prof. Toshiya Yokokawa. They introduced university each other and exchanged their information and idea on Education and research. They also visited Prof. Yokokawa's Laboratory.

Visit from Universitas Riau (Indonesia)

 On November 5, Academic Staff of Universitas Riau (UR) visited Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University (YUFE) to discuss both academic and students interaction between two parties with the Dean Meeting Room with Professor Shinji, Dean of YUFE and Associate Professor Koichi Yamamoto. Professor Adrianto Ahmad of UR gave a lecture presentation on his research about Bio Gas for electricity. This visit is expected to encourage further academic and research collaboration between YUFE and UR.

International collaboration research article was published

A research paper of joint work between Yamaguchi University and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany was published in Tetrahedron Letters. This work was performed between Professors Akio Kamimura, Yamaguchi University, and Professor Markus Heinrich, FAU, and most of experimental works were carried out by Dr. Tomomi Nokubi, a former PhD candidate in graduate school of medicine, who stayed and joined in the research group in FAU for six months with the support of Choshu-five scholarship sponsored by YU. This work presented a new synthetic method of medium-sized heterocyclic ring compounds that are of interest as a new bioactive molecule candidate. We hope this successful publication of an international collaboration research enhance our relationship in future.
Synthesis of dibenzo[c,e][1,2]diazocines - a new group of eight-membered cyclic azo compounds Tomomi Nokubi, Stephanie Kindt, Tim Clark, Akio Kamimura, Markus R. Heinrich Tetrahedron Lett. 2015, 56, 316 - 320: doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2014.11.064.

Coming to University ~Kunsan National University~

 On September 25th, Thursday, 10 staff from Kunsan National University visited our university and held 6th Joint Seminar. Yamaguchi University and Kunsan National University has an academic exchange agreement.
 Joint Seminar has been held at both universities take turns every year. We talked about engineering education, industry-academia collaboration, MOT and employment support as follows.
The 6th Joint Seminar between KSNU and YU Program
Lecture 1: Prof. Kim Dong-ik : I.A.C.F.(University-Industry collaborated education Program)
Lecture 2: Prof. Koh Seung-kee : " The Saemangum Campus " An Industry-University Convergence Campus in Kunsan-Saemangum National Industrial Complex
Lecture 3: Prof. Hiromori Tsutsumi : Collaboration between Industry and Yamaguchi University
Lecture 4: Prof. Ryu Kyung-hyun : KS-Edu Program
Lecture 5: Prof. Chung Tae-jin : The approach of Capstone Design for Engineering Education
Lecture 6: Prof. Takashi Saito : Engineering Education in the Faculty of Engineering at Yamaguchi University
Lecture 7: Prof. Kim Young-chul : Introduction to Business Incubator Center
Lecture 8: Prof. Hideaki Izumi : Initiative of Globalization by YUMOT
Lecture 9: Prof. Kim Deug-soo : Institute of Environmental Research and Constructive Engineering (IERC)
Lecture 10: Prof. Ayaho Miyamoto : Projects in the Research Centre for Environmental Safety (RCES)
Lecture 11: Prof. Toshihiko Tanaka : Career Education and Counseling for Students in Faculty of Engineering at Yamaguchi University
 We hope this visit will create more exchanges between our university and Kunsan National University in the future.

171th Monthly supper

On June 17th, 171th Monthly supper was held.
We were announced how to pay the nation's health insurance and explained amending national health insurance.
And we were experienced magic show played by Mr.Furuya.
First, we were calm and quiet, but after a while, we were able to open up to each others.

The 27th International Exchange Event

On May 31th, The 27th International Exchange Event was held at Tokiwa Kougyoukaikan.
* Speech: All presentator introduce themselves and their culture using PowerPoint. They are fluent in Japanese and some of them want to give them some more time to explain.
* Convivial Party: 2 pair teams dance based on their own country's song. They prepare original fancy costume.

Visit to Korea's Chungbuk National University

  On the 25th~28th of May, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Shinji, alongside Prof. Morita, Associate Prof. Fujii, Assistant Prof. Suzuki, Assistant Prof. Mabu, and General Affairs and Planning Division Staff, Mr. Nishimura visited Korea's Chungbuk National University.
  We visited Chungbuk National University to make a courtesy visit to Prof. Yeong-Seon Seok, Dean of Graduate School, Prof. Doo Hyun Kim Dean of Faculty of Engineering. We expressed hopes for the continued expansion and development of the exchange programs and wish for the positive growth of international ties between the universities.
  Next year, we welcome Chungbuk National University's member and we discuss engineering education.
  We hope that the cooperative relationship between Chungbuk National University and our university will more stable and productive.

ITS (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember) School Visit

  On 14th May, ITS (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia) School Visit was held.
  Ria Asih Aryani Soemitro (ITS Vice president) and others visit and discuss many opinions. Dr.Miura (Vice-President), Dr.Shinji (Dean, Faculty of Engineering), Dr.Nakata (Head of International Liaison Office) and Dr.Sakakibara participate and share each other's thoughts on student exchange and researcher exchange. It was very productive day!

170th Monthly supper

On April 15th, 170th Monthly supper was held.
First, new coming students introduce themselves, and we talked with each other. Second, Revision of National Health Insurance Premium support system were explained.
Although it was the stiff meeting, when finishing, we talked by relaxing a little in the beginning.

9th Tree-Planting Ceremony and 166th Farewell Party

On March 11th, 9th Tree-Planting Ceremony was held. In Japan, the graduation ceremony will take place on March. So, some exchange students are going to depart Ube city. We planted Ginkgo trees from graduate student to undergraduate student in order. After we finished planting, we ate home-made zenzai. After 9th Tree-Planting Ceremony, 166th farewell party was held. Graduate students were given some anniversary gifts. After that, Rules of Obou-san Mekuri (Pick-up Priests) were explained and introduced.

2013 Year End Party

On December 14th, 2013 Year End Party was held. First, The Bowling Party was held. There are 47 attendances. We are fan to play bowling. Second, 2013 Year-End Party was held. The presenters were NUR FADHLINA BINTI SHAARI (from Malaysia) and PAN JIMING (from China). KAIGWA TWELI GICHUHI (from Kenya) was singing songs. When he sings, two students were dancing with matching the songs. Magic was shown by Japanese Volunteer. Exchange students were very interested in magic because we don't have occasion to see them recently.

169th Monthly supper

On November 19th, 169th Monthly supper was held.
* Introduction of New students on October
* Some events are introduced:
12/1 Rice cake pounding event
12/14 The Bowling Party and 2013 Year-End Party
* Shiraishi who is belong to Section Manager international policy at Ube City is announced Facebook writing and register.
* After dinner, some exchange students are learned how to play music instrument by Japanese percussion player.

168th Monthly supper

On October 15th, 168th Monthly supper was held.
* Introduction of New students on October
* Introduction of Japanese attendants
* Some events are introduced:
11/9 Monitor Bas Tour at Ube city
11/10 Tea ceremony
11/17 Trying on making soba noodle and Soft Volleyball Festival
12/14 2013 Year End Party

The Bowling Party and The 26th The International Exchange Event

On June 1st, The Bowling Party and 26th The International Exchange Event were held.
First, the Bowling Party was held at Park Lane Ube. 42 colleges are attended. (12:00~14:00)
Second, at Tokiwa Kougyoukaikan, the 26th The International Exchange Event was held. Main speakers are AHMAD DANAL FITRIBN AHMAD JOHAR(Faculty of Engineering, from Malaysia) and NURAL SAKINAH BINTI KAMARUDDIN(Faculty of Engineering, from Malaysia). They speak English and Japanese alternately. Topic of exchange student's speech was not decided; that is "free talking". We talk with their own culture and their own lifestyle and food culture. Japanese speech was done by Sari Harada who is belong to 3rd-year student of faculty of engineering. She was talking about the experience about exchange in England.
Finally, the supper party was held. Introduce attendance and Bingo Game were done. Some people who are always too shy to talk are aggressively involved actively, so event was very excited.

167th Monthly supper

On May 21th, 167th Monthly supper was held.
Some events are introduced:
1 The information of The Bowling Party
2 The 26th International Exchange Event
There are many attendants, so seats we prepared are full.

166th Monthly supper

On April 16th, 166th Monthly supper was held.
First, new coming students introduce themselves, and we present pre-paid card for purchasing books; Tosho card to represent our welcome.
Second, some events are introduced.
1 Active Introduction for Yamaguchi International Exchange Association
2 Active Introduction for JICA (Yamaguchi prefecture desk)
3 Invitation to A bowling tournament
4 Invitations to International Exchange Event
5 New Greeting (Nagai sensei)

8th Tree-Planting Ceremony and 165th Farewell party

On March 12th, 8th Tree-Planting Ceremony was held. First, Prf. Matsuda greeted everyone and we enjoyed planting tree. In Japan, the graduation ceremony will take place on March. So, some exchange students are going to depart Ube city. We planted trees from graduate student to undergraduate student in order. After we finished planting, we ate home-made zenzai and pickles. After 8th Tree-Planting Ceremony, farewell party was held. Graduate students were given some anniversary gift. This year, many students are going to graduate. We regret a trace concerning graduation and obtained it, and the lonely atmosphere drifted a little, but everybody was a smile.

Opening ceremony of SSH I 2011- Ube Senior High School

Super Science High School I (SSH I) 2010 in Ube Senior High School has been commenced. The High School has been appointed since 2007, for 5 years, and the last year of curriculum this year, 40 students of Science and Mathematics course are supposed to take 12 lectures of SSH. They will take 7 classes until the 27th of January next year, and prepare for mid-term presentation and SSH II. The opening ceremony was held in advance of lectures and Director Tokimitsu of Ube Senior High School and Prof. Hori, Dean of Faculty of Engineering gave them a greeting. Then Prof. Fujita of Perceptual Science and Design Engineering gave a lecture of "Dynamics and Image or Form".

Super Career Lecture by Engineering International Students

Five Faculty of Engineering international students from Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia and Uganda spoke to Ube Senior High School students in the Super Career Class on September 12. They introduced themselves and their cultures, and described the research they are conducting in their home countries. Then they formed a group with the high school students to briefly talk and exchange opinions with the help of students from Baiko University. Both the international students and the Ube Senior High school students shared an enjoyable and instructive time.

Visit to Korea's Kunsan National University and Chungbuk National University

On the 25th of August, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Hori, alongside Prof. Kou, Prof. Morita, Prof. Hyodo, Prof. Nakamura, Prof. Kita, Assistant Professor Okamoto and School Affairs Committee Chairman, Mr. Tsurunaga, visited Korea's Kunsan National University and Chungbuk National University. They made a courtesy visit to Kunsan University President Chae and to Prof. Kim, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, to exchange opinions. Professors from both universities held a research conference and gave presentations and exchanged information concerning their current research projects. Next day, four Yamaguchi University staff members visited Chungbuk University to make a courtesy visit to President Kim, Prof. Ha, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, and Prof. Jang, next Dean of Faculty of Engineering. They expressed hopes for the continued expansion and development of the exchange programs and wish for the positive growth of international ties between the universities.

Summer Junior Science School

On the 18th and 23rd of August, the Summer Junior Science School was held at Tokiwa Campus. In the first class led by Assoc. Prof. Takaya Higuchi: "Let's explore the mysterious world of smell", students tried to guess what smells they experienced and learned how to define their characteristics. In the second class run by Assoc. Prof. Shingo Yamaguchi, they tried their skill with the computer program Squeak in making an animated rat run on a programmed road. About 40 students and their parents participated in each class.

Open Campus 2011

Yamaguchi University Open Campus 2011 was held on the August 7. The number of people visiting the Tokiwa campus exceeded that of last year. Visitors joined various events held by each department and many of the University's students, enjoying the chance to talk with staff and students. The atmosphere of the Open campus was carried on a live radio program on FM Kirara Professor Marumoto, President of Yamaguchi University, and Professor Hori, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, noted the bustle of excitement of the day all over Ube City and Tokiwa Campus. As has happened in the past, ice shavings were served for free by President Marumoto, which went over quite well with visitors.
Thank you very much for coming despite the hot weather

Prof. Furukawa recognised as a person of merit by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) 2011.

Prof. Furukawa has been given an award as a person of merit in sediment disaster prevention by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) 2011. MLIT makes the award to those playing a major role in sediment disaster prevention as part of "sediment disaster prevention month". Prof. Furukawa was the only recipient of the award in 2011.
MLIT recognizes Prof. Furukawa's accomplishments in working hard to improve sediment disaster prevention systems in the future, such as the summary of the necessity of early escape using sediment disaster alerting information based on his expertise.

Tokiwa Campus Cleaning Activity

Tokiwa Campus Cleaning Activity was held on the 29th of June. The sun was bright and 960 students and staff joined in the activity, picking up garbage, mowing and cleaning. Young staff cleaned up the pond in front of the main entrance.

Tsuwano High Students Visit Engineering Campus

On Friday, the 10th of June, six students from Shimane prefectural Tsuwano High School visited the Faculty of Engineering. Prof. Hori, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering made a welcome speech to them, saying 'Have fun and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.' During their morning at the campus, they sat in on a lecture and visited the Engineering Library and Science Collection Museum. After that, they had a lunch with a student who had graduated from their high school. Then they took a trial class: 'Current rules and applications of wind power energy' conducted by Prof. Mochizuki.

Workshop for Treatment of Poisonous and Harmful Substances

A workshop for treatment of poisonous and harmful substances was held on the 26th of May, at Lecture Theater C11 by the Occupational Safety Commission and Health Committee of Tokiwa campus. The following workshops were conducted: About Poisons and Harmful Substances, Faculty Management System, Storing and Usage Book, Emergency Measures, Internationally Controlled Materials Check (including audio learning tools with an examination). The number of participants was 229 in total, including 215 undergraduate and graduate students and 14 academic and administrative staff. Fourth-year students and first year master degree students who use poisonous and harmful substances are required to take part in the workshop. All of the students or staff in research and educational fields who deal with poisonous and harmful substances can't fail to obtain knowledge of processes and procedures for their safe use from this workshop, including how to implement a faculty management system, storage and usage book, and emergency measures. The workshop is part of the study field: 'Advanced Theory of Industrial Safety and Health'.

Dr. Akane Imaizumi wins Incentive Award of Japan Society of Civil Engineering(Alumna of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Dr. Akane Imaizumi was awarded the Young Author Best Paper Award 2010 from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) on May 27, 2011 at the regular general meeting of JSCE. She is a graduate of Yamaguchi University Civil and Environmental Engineering program, and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Civil Engineering from Yamaguchi University. This award is the most respected award given to a young researcher since JSCE was founded 1949. One chapter of Dr. Imaizumi's doctoral dissertation, 'A new approach to coupling mechanical sensitivity and the results of a questionnaire for the design of underground space shapes' (Journal of JSCE, F, Vol.66, No.2, pp.237-pp.250, 2010.4) was evaluated by the society. In her dissertation, Dr. Izaizumi suggested a new design approach to underground space based on a fusion of a sensibility view and a safety view, for example the comfort or attraction people feel in an underground space. This approach was highly evaluated because of its originality and ability to pave a new direction in underground space design. Dr. Imaizumi's research results also won an excellent paper award at the 16th Underground Space Symposium. Yamaguchi University wishes her well for success in her future career.

English special lecture - Honor students awarded

Students have enrolled in a special English lecture. They were selected as five honor students and two of them were given an award by Professor Hori, Dean of Faculty of Engineering. This award is targeted at students who can improve their TOEIC score by more than 100 marks. Professor Hori encouraged all students in the class to enroll in the lecture conducted by the foreign lecturer and improve their foreign language skill.

Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Academic Incentive Award

On March 15, Yuki Shinohara, a Master degree student in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, was awarded the IEICE Academic Incentive Award. The award is given to a scientist or technician with a wide field of vision in electronics and information and communication engineering, and is selected from those who provided academic papers of merit to the IEICE Society Conference - 2010. The paper was titled "A Consideration of Soundness Verification for Workflow Nets with Inhibitor Arcs", and was chosen for its effective judgment method using net modelling, and its equivalent application to the problem of accuracy for an IT system.

SSH-2011 offered to Ube Senior High School students

Ube Senior High School students commenced the Super Science High School II (SSH II) Program - 2011 on the 21st of April. The students of Science and Mathematics, who had completed twelve lectures in SSH I, were assigned to laboratories to engage in experiments and research for one year, before they move on to SSH III next year. The opening ceremony was held in Lecture Room D11. Professor Shimizu, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and Principal Tokimitsu of Ube High School exchanged formal greetings with student representatives. Then Professor Noriaki Nakayama gave a lecture on "Health and Safety" and "Operating Suggestions for Medicines", and Professor Hideaki Nakamura gave an explanation of "Intellectual Property" and the precautions that should be taken. Finally, all students were given an orientation by their assigned laboratories. In addition, SS III also commenced on the 21st of April.

Freshman Seminar 2011

A freshman seminar aimed at new 2011 students in the Faculty of Engineering was held from April 6 to April 7. After a conversational meeting with current students and other faculty members aimed at helping them make a smooth transition to campus life, the freshmen were given a tour of research laboratories and attended various interesting presentations. The freshmen appeared a little apprehensive at first. However, by the end of the seminar, they had shared some confidences with each other and made a new start to real campus life.

Entrance Ceremony of Yamaguchi University 2011

On the 4th of April, with the cherry blossoms at their best, the entrance ceremony of Yamaguchi University was held at Yamaguchi Prefectural Sports and Cultural Center. In the ceremony, 569 students of the Faculty of Engineering, 323 students of the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, and 20 students of MOT made a new start to campus life. After the ceremony, a PTA meeting was held, and Prof. Hori, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and Prof. Saito, Director of Engineering Education and the Research Center, made welcome speeches and explained daily life on campus and the student support system.

21st Tokiwa Award Ceremony

On the 14th of March, the 21st Tokiwa Award ceremony was held at Tokiwa Alumni Hall. Fourteen graduating students with outstanding academic results from their undergraduate course and two with outstanding social activity records were given certificates of merit and extra awards by the President of Tokiwa Alumni Hall. Furthermore, the President congratulated them for their continuous success. After the ceremony, they had lunch together in a friendly atmosphere with the Alumni Hall and Faculty members concerned.

Internship at City Council for Indonesian students of Double Degrees program

Mr. Taufiq and Mr. Lusius from Indonesia - International students for the Double Degrees Program of the Division of Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi University - participated in the Internship Program at Ube City Hall from Feb. 22. to March 2. They are local government officers in Indonesia, researching Urban Planning at our School. Lectures related to comprehensive policy, administration, environment, education, urban planning, disaster prevention, sewage lines and fire control were conducted as well as technical visits to acquire the knowledge and skills of Ube city government. At the closing ceremony, they expressed a wish to adopt the approach to the environment of Ube city and to build bridges between Indonesia and Ube city.

Super Career Lecture by Engineering International Students

Two international students of the Faculty of Engineering, Waiken San (United Kingdom) and Gatot Susilo (Indonesia), gave a lecture to Ube Senior High School Students in the Super Career Class on February 21. They spoke in English on six topics: 1) What motivated you to study abroad in Japan? 2) What difficulties have you had in Japan, such as differences in language, lifestyle and culture? 3) What is your advice to students who want to study abroad? 4) What things have surprised you? 5) What is your individual impression of Japanese students? 6) What is campus life like in your home country? To see the details of this article, please visit the Ube Senior High School official website.

SSH Intermediate Presentations 2010 at Ube Senior High School

Intermediate presentations by SSH I and II students were held at the Ube Senior High School gymnasium on February 16. Following the Principal's introduction, twelve groups from SSH II and eleven groups from SSH I gave oral presentations using PowerPoint slides showing their achievements during the one year program. The program is divided into two strands: six lectures from the Faculty of Engineering and five from Hello Science.

Completion of SSH I at Ube Senior High School 2010

Super Science High School I (SSH I) ended on the 19th of February with the lecture "What is a computer?" by Associate Professor Yoshiki Mizukami of Information Science and Engineering. Class members have gained much valuable experience from this project, and are now planning to move on to the advanced classes SSH II and III by choosing laboratories. For more information, please visit the website of Ube Senior High School (Japanese)

The completion ceremony of Basic and Applied Vacuum Technology - Yamaguchi University Open Lectures 2010

The completion ceremony of the Yamaguchi University Open Lectures 2010 - titled 'Basic and Applied Vacuum Technology'- was held at Tokiwa Alumni Hall on January 28, 2011. The lectures were inaugurated in 2008 and are cosponsored by the Graduate School of Science and Engineering and the Extension Center. The lectures follow a curriculum originally developed through cooperation between industry and academia. Each lecture and practical session is conducted by a person from industry or academic staff of our university. This year, which is the third year of open lectures, 28 working students enrolled in the class, in addition to 100 master course students who take it as part of their curriculum for 'Advanced Vacuum Technology'. Twelve working students and 31 master course students were given a certificate of completion for meeting set standards.

Engineering Mathematics Test raises its curtain

The Engineering Mathematics Test (EMat) 2010 commenced on Saturday, December 11, 2010, running from 13:30 to 16:10. The exam tests the four mathematics subjects customarily included in the university sophomore syllabus: Precalculus, Linear Algebra, Higher Differentials, and Probability and Statistics. Yamaguchi University and Hiroshima University have been calling for participation by faculties of engineering of universities and national colleges of technology nationwide in their jointly-hosted EMat. Seven testing sector staff and 17 academic staff from Yamaguchi University Engineering Faculty were among those acting as proctors supervising the EMat 2010. 449 students (2646 in total) participated in the exam from Yamaguchi University this year. This exam was selected as a Support Program for Distinctive University Education by the Japanese Ministry of Education in the year 2005. However, after 2009, the budget for the exam is shared between the two universities. Students with outstanding academic results are encouraged to commence a doctoral program and are strongly recommended to take exams to acquire qualifications such as PE or FE. Professor Kesayoshi Hadano (2010 Examination Committee Chairman)

Victory Report - The 45th Chugoku and Shikoku district swimming Championship -Hokuto Kitano- the 3rd year student of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

 Hokuyo Kitano, a student of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering won the first prize of the 45th Chugoku and Shikoku district Inter College Swimming Championship held on the 12th -13th of June, 2010 and made a report on its victory to Prof. Hori, Dean of Faculty of Engineering.
This is the report from him.
"I belong to Official Swimming club of Yamaguchi University. It's difficult to find the place to practice here in Tokiwa Campus so that I went to general swimming pool every day and have practiced by myself. However I struggle with a sense of frustration with difficulty keeping my motivation just by myself. Meanwhile, my friends themselves are my treasure in my heart. They are always my emotional support and I have not lived by myself but been growing together with "such a tremendous emotional support to me in what has been an extremely difficult time". That's why I made the best record on swimming competition. Thank you very much for my friends and family assistance. I would like to repay my friends and family for raising me so well like this with managing study and sports, especially swimming. Thank you very much."

Summer Junior Science School

 On the 20th of August Summer Junior Science School was held at Tokiwa Campus. In the morning class of Asso. Prof. Takaya Higuchi titled "Let's explore the mysterious world of smell.", students tried to guess what smell it is and learned the task and the characteristics. On the other hand, in the afternoon class of Asso. Prof. Shingo Yamaguchi, they challenged to program of Squeak and worked out making drawn rat run on the programmed road on the computer. About 40 students and their parents participated in each class.

Open Campus 2010

 Yamaguchi University Open Campus 2010 was held on the August 8. 782 people visited Tokiwa campus.
Visitors joined various events held by each department and many students, having chances to talk with staff and students. The atmosphere of the Open campus was carried on live radio program FM kirara and Professor Marumoto, President of Yamaguchi University and Professor Hori, Dean of Faculty of Engineering reported the hot bustling with excitement of the day all over Ube city and Tokiwa Campus. Ice shavings were served for free by President Marumoto, Vice President Nishida, Yoshida, Matsuda, Miike and Dean Hori, which went over quite well.
Thank you very much for coming in despite the hot weather.

International Students of Japanese Language and Culture Summer Program 2010 visited Engineering Campus

 International Students of Japanese Language and Culture Program visited Engineering Campus on July 20.(29 from Taiwan, 10 from China, 2 from Korea, 2 from England and 1 from Malaysia)
This Program has been conducted by International Student Center of Yamaguchi University and aims to improve their Japanese language skills and deepen the knowledge of Japanese culture. They visited Prof. Uchida laboratory, Prof. Miyamoto laboratory, and Academic Exhibitions Center and Solar Car circle here in Engineering Campus. They seemed to enjoy their visit with a chance to learn Engineering research such as the center designed in an eco friendly way, the research of bridge technology, models of building and solar car designed by students, which has different taste life way of Yoshida Campus.

28 of Year 3 students visited from Takagawa Gakuen Junior High School

 On July 13, 28 of the 3rd year students from Takagawa Gakuen Junior High School visited Engineering Campus.Takagawa Gakuen adopted a unified lower and upper secondary school education system, aiming at knowing what a campus life is like and enhancing their motivation of going to the university. After greeting of Professor Shimizu, Vice dean of Faculty of Engineering, Associate Professor Takimoto explained the outline of the university, lectures and researches and took them around the facilities and had a lunch at union cafe.

Workshop for Treatment of High Pressure Gas, Electricity and laser equipment

 30th June, "Workshop for Treatment of High Pressure Gas, Electricity and laser equipment" was held at Lecture Building C by Occupational Safety Commission and Health Committee of Tokiwa Campus.
The lecture contents are as follows below;
1.High Pressure Gas Safety Act and its treatment
2.Treatment of liquid nitrogen
3.Treatment of electricity equipment-policy of electrification and short
4.Treatment of laser equipment
The number of participants is 189 in total. The laboratories treating High Pressure Gas, Electricity and laser equipment can't fail to participate in the workshop to obtain the knowledge and process of adequate treatment of them, The workshop is one of study fields- "Advanced Theory of Industrial Safety and Health".

Tokiwa Campus Cleaning Activity

 Tokiwa Campus Cleaning Activity was held on the 1st of July. The sun is bright and 973 students and staff joined the activity to pick up garbage, mowing and cleaning, although it was in the middle of rainy season. Young staff cleaned up the pond in front of the main entrance.

Workshop for road safety and security

 80 students and staff joined Workshop for road safety and security held on June 30 by General Administration Division and Life Security Division of Ube Police station. First of all, Professor Imai who in charge of head of student supports committee made a greeting speech to enhance their security consciousness for safe and comfortable campus life. They watched road safety video and learned countermeasures for swindling money out and billing fraud mail, and specific defense for single women life. One of the defenses that all participants practiced is very useful meaningful for female students and staff.

Cleaning Activity along Yuya Ohama coast in Nagato city

 7 students of Eco fighters circle joined cleaning activity called "Japan-Korea Cross channel driftage cleaning activity" along the Yuya Ohana coast in Nagato city. In addition, 23 students from Tokiwa campus also participated in the activity with 500 people of residence, Fisheries Cooperative Association; elementary, junior high, high school and university students including international students. This activity was achieved was supported by Yamaguchi Prefectural Eco Campus promotion association and Yamaguchi Prefectural environmental life division. Driftage are mainly plastics, artificial wooden-made, which includes overseas manufacturing. Participants cleaned up the coast for about 2 hours and the amount of driftage was 2600kg of combustible and 100kg incombustible in total. The activity deepened an environmental problem understanding of cross-channel driftage.

Visit - 35 students from Yamaguchi Municipal Konan Junior High School

 June 29th, 35 students in the 3rd grade of Yamaguchi Municipal Junior High School Students visited Engineering Campus. Visiting Schools- "Dreams & Visits" has taken place for the purpose of development of information practice activity, decision making and future design ability. Explained university outline, lectures and research, Associate Professor Takimoto who are in charge of planning division took them to facilities. Then students asked questions actively and representative of students made a thanks greeting of their spending fulfilling time.

Visit Department of Sustainable Environmental Engineering from Korea

 On the 9th of June, CEO and 16 hands-on staff visited Department of Sustainable Environmental Engineering.: 5 TECHNO PARK staff, 7 university staff, Korean 1 Production Technology Research Institute staff, 1 KISTI staff and 2 civil officers, of Initiative Industrial Planning Group, performing local R & D fund support, human resources development and business support enterprise such as marketing. Professor Miura, head of the department, Professor Niinae, Associate Professor Kazuhiro Tanaka, Assistant Professor Suzuki from Department of Sustainable Engineering, Associate Professor Mori and Associate Professor Li from Innovation Center come along with them during their stay. They had discussion actively and Laboratory tour after a welcome greeting from Professor Hori, Dean of Faculty of Engineering.

Workshop for treatment of Poisonous and Deleterious Substances

 Workshop for treatment of Poisonous and Deleterious Substances was held on the 26th of May, at Lecture Theater C11 by Occupational Safety Commission and Health Committee of Tokiwa campus. The following workshop was conducted: About Poisonous and Deleterious, Faculty Management System, Storing and Usage book, Emergency Measure, Internationally controlled materials Check (Including Audio learning tools with an examination). The number of participants is 257 in total, including 226 undergraduate and graduate students and 31 academic and administrative staff. One of the students or staff in research and educational field who treat poisonous and deleterious substances can't fail to participate in the workshop to obtain the knowledge and process of adequate treatment of them, Faculty Management System, Storing and Usage book, Emergency Measure etc. The workshop is one of study fields- "Advanced Theory of Industrial Safety and Health".

Awarded-Professor Norikazu Shimizu,
Takahashi Award of Electric Power Civil Engineering Associatio

 Professor Norikazu Shimizu of Graduate School of Science and Engineering (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering) was awarded Takahashi award from Electric Power Civil Engineering Association. This award is given to a specific researcher who contributes to the great achievement of the technical development and advancement in civil technical development and research papers regarding development of electric generation hydraulic power technique and electric facility. Professor Shimizu is the 37th award winner. Research paper evaluated as the award is "Assessment of the stability of an underground large cavern for power house under operation". Due to good and safe quality power supply, it's time to assess its prolonged stability because some underground power plant has been past many decades since they were constructed. However, under the present set of circumstances, the assessment method has not been established enough yet. In this study, he carefully analyzed a monitoring result of underground opening rock mass and proposed a method of assessment of the stability of an underground large cavern for power house under operation based on obtained data. This method was highly evaluated due to its practical for maintenance of present power plant. This study is carried out as collaborative research between our university and J-POWER and his corecipient Dr. Masayuki Kashiwayanagi completed Doctorate Course of our university.

Started Joint Lecture with Udayana University, Indonesia

 Joint Lecture by using Satellite remote sensing personnel development plan by international collaboration with Udayana University, Indonesia started from 18th of May at Lecture Theater E21. Developing human resources with knowledge of satellite data and practical technique and expanding human resources with practical expertise, the joint lecture is planning to invite academic staff from Udayana University to collaborate with our academic staff, conducting lectures by using satellite data and develop teaching materials for personnel development as joint education in advanced study field of environmental issue, disaster prevention, vegetation and maritime issues.

Starting SSH II 2010 in Ube Senior High School

 Super Science High School II(SSH II) 2010 in Ube Senior High School has started on the 21st of April. 39 students of Science and Mathematics course who took 12 lectures of SSH I were assigned to each laboratory and will have been engaged in experiments and research for 1 year to achieve great result at Science and Mathematics High School Competition of Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu district and SSH national championship next year. On the day, opening ceremony was held in Lecture Room D11 and Professor Shimizu of Vice Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Vice Principal Kawai of Ube High School and representative student had a greeting. Then Professor Noriaki Nakayama had a lecture of "Health and Safety" and "Operating Suggestions for medicines" and Professor Hideaki Nakamura had an explanation and precaution of "Intellectual Property". Finally all students had an orientation by each laboratory assigned.

The Workshop for Treatment of Experiment Waste Fluid

 On the 19th of April, the workshop for treatment of experiment waste fluid was held at the lecture building C11.
Professor Isamu FUJIWARA, Director of Center for waste water treatment conducted the lecture of how to fill out of the quantity of using medicine observation form and the treatment of waste water. Then Assistant Professor Nobutaka Endo of Department of Sustainable Environmental Engineering (Supervisor of Dangerous Substance Warehouse) held a lecture of Directions for use of Dangerous Substance Warehouse in Tokiwa Campus. The number of applicants for this workshop was 225 in total, including 200 undergraduate and graduate students and 25 staff. One of the students or staff in research and educational field who treat liquid waster disposal must participate in the workshop to obtain the knowledge and process of adequate treatment of experiment waste fluid. The workshop is one of study fields- "Advanced Theory of Industrial Safety and Health".

President of The University of New Castle, Australia Visit

 Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Newcastle, Prof. Nicholas Saunders and Asso. Professor Seamus Fagan visited our Engineering campus. Vice president of Yamaguchi University, Prof, Matsuda, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Hori and Prof. Hyodo met with them, and then moved to the Lounge at 8th floor of SOGO KENKYU Building which has a good command of view of Ube city. Kyoji NAGASAKI of Master Course student, who are going to study at The University of Newcastle as an exchange student from July for 1 and half year, was introduced them from his supervisor Prof. MIYAMOTO.

Renewal of the Lecture Building B and C

 New Academic year has started with renewal of the lecture building B and C, renovated lecture desks with information consents and electric power supplies. We are going to renovate facilities to provide our students better study circumstance.

The entrance ceremony of Yamaguchi University 2010

 On the 5th of April, the entrance ceremony of Yamaguchi University was held at Yamaguchi Prefectural Sports and Cultural Center with the cherry blossoms at their best. 575 students of Faculty of Engineering, 396 students of Graduate School of Science and Engineering, 16 students of MOT made a new campus life start. After that, PTA meeting was held and Prof. HORI, Dean of HORI and Prof. SAITO, Director of Engineering Education and Research Center made a welcome speech and explanation of preparation of new life and student support system.

The second Project Conference regarding satellite remote sensing personnel development plan by international collaboration with Udayana University, Indonesia

 On the 25th and 26th of March, the second Project Conference regarding satellite remote sensing personnel development plan by international collaboration with Udayana University in Indonesia was held at Engineering Campus.
Academic Staff of Udayana University, President BAKTA, Vice President WIRAWAN, Vice President SUASTRA, Dean of Graduate School of Environment Dr. ALTANA and Deputy Director Dr. OSAWA visited our campus. Faculty members who participated in the conference are as follows; Prof. MIURA, Dean of Faculty of Engineering; Prof. MIIKE Vice Dean, Faculty of Engineering; Prof. SHIMIZU; Prof. Tasuku TANAKA; Prof. OGAWARA; Asso. Prof. ASAI; Asso. Prof. Koichi YAMAMOTO; Asso. Prof. OSA; Assi. Prof. TAMESUE; Assi. Prof. Masayuki OKAMOTO; Prof. Chin of Faculty of Economics. They exchanged their opinions lively regarding personnel development of joint research and remote sensing lectures of next year. During the conference, President BAKTA provided special lecture and a communication test was conducted by Assi. Prof. TAMESUE of Media and Information Technology Center and Assi. Prof. OKAMOTO of Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and both university staff affirmed a common recognition of the challenges of this joint program.

Graduation Ceremony 2009

 On March 23rd, the graduation ceremony of graduate and undergraduate courses of Yamaguchi University was held at Yamaguchi Prefectural Sports and Cultural Center. 244 students of Graduate School of Science and Engineering (Engineering), 48 students of Graduate School of Medicine (Applied Medical Science Engineering), 16 students of MOT and 610 undergraduate students of Faculty of Engineering achieved their degrees and research thesis and leave school. The president MARUMOTO congratulated them for their continuous success.

Professor SAITO - The 1st Yamaguchi Prefectural Industrial and Technical Promotion Incentive Award - The Special Award of Yamaguchi Prefectural Governor

 Professor Takashi SAITO of Graduate School of Medicine (Applied Medical Science Engineering) received The 1st Yamaguchi Prefectural Industrial and Technical Promotion Incentive Award - The Special Award of Yamaguchi Prefectural Governor. The purpose of this award establishment is to promote the outstanding research and the performance of new business development by cooperation among government, industry and academic. This also aims to develop a social atmosphere conductive to respect technique of Design and Engineering. Professor SAITO who received the award was approved the first national outstanding achievement of his research, "Development of free fall system life boat with impact relaxation when going into sea surface".

Incentive Award of Graduate School of Science and Engineering

 Incentive Award of Graduate School of Science and Engineering was established to motivate Master's Course students to encourage to go to Doctoral Course and to honor Doctoral students who achieved outstanding academic results. 3 Master's students Mou Seirin, Toshiki NAKANO and Masahiro SOU, and 2 Doctoral students Hideaki MUROTANI, Yu NAKAMICHI were selected as the award winner from a lot of applicants for the prize. The Award ceremony on the 11th of March, Professor MIURA who is a dean of School of Science and Engineering gave them the certificate of merits and digital camera.

The 20th Tokiwa Award Ceremony

 On the 10th of March, the 20th Tokiwa award ceremony was held at Tokiwa Alumni Hall. 14 graduating students with outstanding academic results from undergraduate course and 3 with outstanding social activity records were given certificate of merits and extra awards by the head of Tokiwa Alumni Hall. Furthermore, The head congratulated them for their continuous success. After the ceremony, they had lunch together in a friendly atmosphere with the Alumni Hall and Faculty members concerned.

Internship at City Council for Indonesian students of Double Degrees program

 Antonius Budi Triyanto, Susi Sumaryati and M. Ikhsan from Indonesia- International students of Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi University, participated in Internship Program at Ube City Hall from Feb. 23. to March 4.
They are local government officers in Indonesia, researching Urban Planning at the School. Lectures related to comprehensive policy, administration, environment, prevention of disaster, sewage line, urban planning, extinguishing fire and education were conducted, and technical visit as well to get to know Ube city government. At the closing ceremony, they wished to reflect the approach to environment of Ube city and want to build bridges between Indonesia and Ube city.

Appointed Professor Hori as New Dean

 Professor Kenji HORI was appointed as the new Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University upon the expiration of the term of Dean Professor Miura. His term in the office is 2 years.
"I'm going to assume the dean post and I promise to devote myself to the Faculty of Engineering such as reorganization plan and improving personnel system with gaining the cooperation of whole the Faculty staff" he addressed.

Completion of SSH I at Ube Senior High School

 On the 19th of February, whole course of SSH I(Super Science High school I) completed with the lecture of "Characteristic of air" conducted by Associate Professor Makoto KOGANEI of Perceptual Science and Design Engineering.
According to this project, we could feel usual school life and have precious experience.
We are planning to move to advanced class of SSH II, III by choosing laboratories.
**Furthermore information, please visit the website of Ube Senior High School (Japanese)
**To see the website of SSH at Ube Senior High School(Japanese)

2009's Engineering Mathematics Test raised its curtain

 Yamaguchi University and Hiroshima University have been calling for participation from Faculty of Engineering of universities and national Colleges of Technology nation-wide in their joint hosted Engineering Mathematics Test. This exam receives attention from various sectors as it acts as a practical mirror of each university's education ways.
In year 2009 43 universities and 10 colleges participated in the exam held on Sat. 12 December. Participating examinees from Yamaguchi University this year is 416 students. The total number of examinees throughout the country is yet unknown but considering the number of 4080 applications received, and around 3000 examinees was anticipated as same aslast year.
The exam, as is customary, tests on the 4 subjects that are included in the syllabus of a university's sophomore:Precalculus, Linear Algebra, Upper Differential, and Probabilities and Statistics. The past years' exam questions and their answers can be found at the homepage of Engineering Mathematics Test. For high school examinees who have been confirmed their enrollment to Yamaguchi University's Faculty of Engineering whether through Entrance Exam by Admissions Office or school recommendation's Entrance Exam, this exam can be considered one of the way for them to have a challenge of university level mathematics. This exam is also recommended for working people planning to take certified engineers exam or other established qualification tests in order to strengthen their mathematics knowledge level.
Diction by Professor Kesayoshi Hadano(2009's Examination Committee Chairman)

Midterm Presentation by SSH Student of Yamaguchi Prefectural Ube Senior High School, fiscal year 2009

 On February 17th, a midterm presentation of SSH (Super Science High school) I and II students of Yamaguchi Prefectural Ube Senior High School was held in their High School multipurpose hall from 1 PM. After a greeting speech given by the principle of Ube High School, 11 groups from the second year student of SSH II gave the verbal presentation by using Power Point slides. Meanwhile, the first year student of SSH I presented their achievement on the research topics of "Scientific Evaluation of Sensing Environment", "Genetic Manipulation", "Reliability of Information System", "Pattern Recognition using Computer", "Zeolite-The Boiling Stone", "Microfabrication and Micromachine", "Practical Construction of Mechatronics", "Human Life Science", "Experience Learning about Advance Science and Technology", "Work Study on Cutting-edge Medicine", and "Nature Observation Workshop" through a poster session.

Visitors from China's Chongqing University of Technology (formerly Chongqing Institute of Technology)

 On Mon., Jan 25th and Tue., Jan 26th, the university president, Li Guo, 2 lecturers and 13 students of Chongqing University of Technology, China, which which is one of our partner in students exchange agreement with Yamaguchi University, visited Ube Tokiwa Campus, Yamaguchi University. The objective for their visit was to give a chance for the students who will participate in the double degree exchange program to see for themselves the university they will be studying in. After listening to the explanation of the results and activities done in mind of the business-academia collaboration of the two universities during their tour to the Yoshida Campus which focused on Tokiwa district and Faculty of Economics, the tour group set out to observe the living environment in Ube city.

Commendation ceremony for the best slogans from the "Health & Safety"

 Slogans Creating Contest was held on 14 January 2010. Occupational Safety Commission and Health Committee of Tokiwa factories organized the contest required that the slogans to promote "safe and healthy campus structuring, laboratory maintenance, higher awareness of non-smoking and smoking manners". From the 56 slogans applied for the contest during the period between 1 October and 30 October 2009, 4 best slogans were adopted by the committees, with 3 slogans chosen for the "General Safety & Health" category and 1 for "non-smoking & smoking manners" category.
Awarded Winner is as follows (random order):Mayumi SHIGEEDA, Masahiro SOU, Seiichi TOYOSHIMA, and Isao OKAJIMA.

International Students of Engineering Faculty Participated as an Instructor in SC Class at Ube High School

 Five International students from Faculty of Engineering, Kim Hyumbum (Korea), Mohamed Ajdanian (Iran), Zhung Li (China), Purupon Pombisaya (Thailand), and Ghatut Ekoshisro (Indonesia) have participated as an instructor in SC (Super Career) class held at Ube Senior High School on December 12, from 2PM to 4PM. The lesson was started with a simple self-introduction of the instructors, followed by the introduction about their homeland culture and the research at the university they are engaged in now by using the PowerPoint slideshow. After the instructors have finished their presentations, the high school students introduced about the Japanese culture and their future dreams. With the help of the moderator (student from Baiko Gakuin University) on that day, they could freely ask the questions and exchange their opinions and ideas with the instructors which promote a good communication skills and active dialogue between them. After the class end, the instructors received very favorable comments from the high school students who joined, and they said that it was an enjoyable and meaningful class to all of them.

International Collaboration with Udayana University of Indonesia on Education Project of Satellite Remote Sensing Human Resources and Development

 Consignment on fosterage the space utilization "Human Resource Development Program on Use of Satellite Data" has been adopted. The objective of this program is to expand the human resources that can be utilized by understanding the significant of space development through the use of satellite remote sensing data to foster knowledge and utilization technology of satellite data. This time visit was included in one of the annual project schedule, to run a trial practice on a remote teaching which took place on December 7 and 8, conducted by Associate Prof. OSA,of Information Science and Engineering Department. In order to carry out this collaborative class, Assistant Prof. Tamesue, of Media and Information Technology Center together with Assistant Prof. Okamoto, of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, were in charge on constructing a remote teaching system via the internet. Meanwhile, the first project meeting between Udayana University was held on December 11, and the person participated in the meeting were the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Miura, Prof. Tasuku Tanaka of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Associate Prof. Asai of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Associate Prof. Higuchi of Sustainable Environmental Engineering, Prof. Chin Li-chun of Faculty of Economic and Prof Kenji Matsui of Faculty of Agriculture. For the next future plan, both universities were scheduled to start up the operation and management of the Yamaguchi University Office, symposium to be held in Udayana University, and the second project meeting to be held in Yamaguchi University.

Season's Concert at Cafeteria 2F Welfare Building

 On December 21 and 22 , the Season's Concert was held at the Welfare building on the second floor of cafeteria during the lunchtime. It was the third time for this year and the concert project was originally planned by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura. The concept is to make the cafeteria as a venue for music circle performance and at the same time for cafeteria users to enjoy the music while taking their meals. Two groups of music circle which are "Feel it" and "light music club" took part in the concert this year and were able to bring a new and light mood to cafeteria users during lunchtime.

Engineering Education Study Lecture and Dialogue for Fiscal Year 2009

 On 11 December 2009, the "Engineering education study lecture and dialogue for fiscal year 2009" under the theme of "Initial education improvement for Faculty of Engineering" hosted by Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Education Research Center, was held at D11 Lecture Hall in Tokiwa Campus of Yamaguchi University from 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm. After the speech by Associate Dean, Dr. Miike, report on the previous work on engineering initial education improvement was given. Professor Mika Nakano from Fukuoka Institute of Technology was also invited to give a lecture on the topic of "Nurturing interactive thinking and communication education" ,which covered the communication education conducted at Fukuoka Institute of Technology since 2007 and their future plan. The lecture was ended with vigorous questioning and discussion between the participants and Professor Nakano.

Disaster Drill

 On Thursday, December 17, a comprehensive disaster drill was conducted at Tokiwa Campus with 120 faculty staff and students. On the assumption that the source of fire was at the Applied Chemistry Dept.'s students' experiments lab on the 4th floor of the Main Building. The drill includes incident reporting, first-aid fire extinguishing, escape induction, and medical transport for the injured and so on. Furthermore, assuming that there were people who failed to escape, a drill of where the trapped people escaped using a hook-and-ladder truck was also conducted. Concluding the disaster drill held to raise the awareness of disaster prevention was the how-to fire-extinguish using a fire-extinguisher check at the Eng. Faculty's ground.

Road Safety and Crime Prevention Workshop

 On November 30, Yoshida campus jointly by Tokiwa Campus and Kogushi Campus welcomed the instructors from Yamaguchi Police Station of Traffic Division and Community Safety Division to hold a Road Safety and Crime Prevention Workshop. 97 participants from the Faculty of Engineering in this workshop and instructors introduced the state of traffic accidents occurred in this prefecture of the year, and mainly was the explanation about bicycle accident which has been used by many students as their transportation. Meanwhile for the crime prevention, the instructors talked about the fictitious billing of utility rate for cellular phone, personal computer and so on, by naming few case examples and giving countermeasure guidance against those problems. The students participated in this workshop were able to realize the risk of traffic accident and criminal offense that could happen close to them.

Careers Fair

 On November 4, careers fair in cooperation with the DISCO Inc. ( Nikkei Human Resources Inc.) for the third year undergraduate student and the first year graduate student had been took place in the gymnasium at Faculty of Engineering. 650 students from each campus came to visit the booths set up by many of the price leader in domestic companies. The students participated in this briefing session enthusiastically listened and asked questions to the speakers. Even after this career fair, various companies and organization came and involved in briefing session within the campus which had been held in Tokiwa Campus and Yoshida Campus until February on the following year. As for students, the activity like this offers an opportunity for them to learn and make a new encounter with many other people and also as a big help and opportunity for their job hunting.

Tokiwa Campus Clean Operation

 On September 11 2009, the "Tokiwa Campus Clean Operation" has successfully been held from 3PM. The rain in the morning stopped and fine weather made it such a great day for cleanup. The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura was the one who lead the day and together with the students and staff to pick up the garbage, mowing, ditch cleaning and so on.

Graduate of the School of Science and Engineering, Dr. Yasuko Sadahiro Gives Lecture on Exchange Experience

 On the 26th of August, at the International Conference Room of the Ube All Nippon Airways Hotel the "Commemorative Forum to Celebrate the 150th Year since the Opening of Yokohama Port and the Choshuu Five" was held under the joint sponsorship of Yamaguchi University and the Yohokama Business Aid Foundation. Amongst several lectures and panel discussions was a lecture by Dr. Yasuko Sadahiro, a graduate of Yamaguchi University's Graduate School of Science and Engineering who is currently working at the Kajima Corporation. Dr. Sadahiro spoke of her experiences as a research exchange student at London University. Dr. Sadahiro was the first student to take part in the exchange program after an Academic Exchange Agreement was signed between Yamaguchi University and London University. She shared several humorous stories of her stay and spoke of the difficulties she faced in England, wrapping up by saying, "My stay in England was one of the greatest things that happened in my life."

Junior Summer Science Class Open

 A Junior Break Science Class was held at Tokiwa Campus, Yamaguchi University from August 20 to August 21. On August 20, 40 students from elementary school and junior high school with their parents received a lecture entitled "Let's create a program using Squeak!" given by Associate Professor Shingo Yamaguchi, from Department of Information and Science Engineering. While on the next day, 31 students together with their parents joined the lecture given by Associate Professor Takaya Higuchi from Department of Sustainable Environmental Engineering entitled "Let's Take a Peek into the Wonderful World of Smell". The participants challenged themselves to make a picture of mouse that they have drawn to run along the line created by using the "Squeak" program. Meanwhile, on the "smell class", they learned about the role and characteristic of 5 types of smell. It was an impressive sight that the elementary and junior high school student earnestly taking a note while listening to the lecture although this was the first time to receive the lecture at university for almost all of them.

Three International Exchange Students to UCLAN Meet with Dean of Faculty

 On the 31st of July, fourth year Aplied Chemistry student, Sae Miyoshi, third year Mechanical Engineering student, Masato Aoki and third year Applied Chemistry student, Kouichi Nagata, met with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Dean's Office. The three students will be traveling to England to take part in an academic exchange with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN).
This is the first time that the University will be sending any of its students to UCLAN, but the three students could not be more excited, commenting that "I want to make lots of friends with the students there" or that "I want to become a world-wise citizen," and "I want to learn how to speak real English."
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura wished them well, saying "I want you to use this exchange experience and opportunity as a stepping stone from which you will enter the world. I do not doubt that this experience will be one you will treasure in your future."

Visit to England's University of Central Lancashire

 On the 9th of July, the Head of the International Exchange Division, Mr. Mochizuki, Director of the General Affairs Division, Mr. Nakagawa and the Deputy Director of the General Affairs Division, Mr. Hayashi visited the University of Central Lancashire in England with which the Faculty of Engineering has an Academic Exchange Agreement.
UCLAN boasts an excellent Language and Linguistics Program and seventy percent of all its new students are international students. In October of last year, two exchange students from UCLAN attended the Faculty of Engineering to study Japanese. In autumn this year, three undergraduate students from the Faculty of Engineering will be traveling to UCLAN to study as international students.
The visitors learnt of UCLAN's international student admissions system, the support programs that are in place from entrance into the University till employment, the collaboration between the University and the Student Union as well as the latest in international strategies. Of particular interest, was how despite the different backgrounds of all the students, a truly universal mode of teaching was realized by the University through their implementation of educational teaching programs such as WISER and teacher appointed tutoring systems. The unique firefighter program was one of many thoroughly modern programs that are befitting to higher education institutions of the 21st century.

Dr. Teti Targo From the Bandung Institute of Technology Visits YU

 On the 2nd of July, Dr. Teti Targo of Indonesia's Bandung Institute of Technology visited the Faculty of Engineering. The Bandung Institute of Technology and Yamaguchi University's School of Engineering and Science have an Academic Exchange Agreement between them which allows international students to study at both universities towards double degrees. The purpose of the visit was to check on the educational and research related progress of the international students that partook in the First Semester Twinning program and to further strengthen the ties between the universities. After meeting with the students, a meeting was held at the Office of the Dean where the results and progress of the program were discussed.

Visit to the Engineering College of Korea's Kunsan National University

 On the 22nd of June, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura, alongside Professor Kou, Professor Kouda, School Affairs Committee Chairman, Dr. Tanaka and Head of the General Affairs Department, Mr. Akieda visited the Engineering College of Korea's Kunsan National University to sign an Academic Exchange Agreement. This is the 3rd visit to the University and amongst those present were Head of the Engineering College, Dr. Lee and Head of the Humanities Department, Dr. Ko. A conference was held where details of the student exchange program, double degree program and future exchange programs were discussed. The Head of the Engineering College, Dr. Lee expressed his hopes for the continued expansion and development of the exchange programs, a hope that was shared by Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura who also expressed his wish for the positive growth of international ties between the institutions.
Presentations were given by Professors from both Universities where information concerning the present situation of several research projects was explained and exchanged.

Yamaguchi University Graduate, Dr. Li Gang, Awarded the Rocha Medal

 Dr. Li Gang, who was awarded the prestigious Rocha Medal in 2008, graduated from Yamaguchi University's Graduate School of Science and Engineering in March 2007. Dr. Li Gang is currently working for Halliburton in America, and was presented the medal at the International Society for Rock Mechanics Symposium in May of this year.
The Rocha Medal is the highest award for researchers in the field of Rock Mechanics and has been awarded annually since 1982 for an outstanding doctoral thesis. There have been twenty-eight recipients of this award, two of whom were Japanese, but both Japanese researchers were awarded the Medal for work they had done at foreign universities. This is the first time the Medal has been awarded for research done at a Japanese university.
The title of Dr. Li Gang's thesis was "Experimental and Numerical Study for Stress Measurement by Jack Fracturing and Estimation of Stress Distribution in Rock Mass" where Dr. Li Gang presented a new way to obtain an accurate and reliable stress distribution through novel ways of measurement.
Winner of the Rocha Medal, Dr. Li Gang (second from the right) and Professor Emeritus Yoshiaki Mizuta (Supervising Professor)

Jacaranda Tree Planting Ceremony - Celebrating the 70t Anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering

 On the 10th of June, as part of a celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering a Jacaranda Tree Planting Ceremony was held at the Tokiwa Campus. Former Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke, who gifted the jacarandas to the University, was present alongside Yamaguchi University President, Dr. Marumoto and other University personnel who together planted the trees. In his speech, Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke joked, "At universities in Sydney, it is said that if you manage to catch a falling petal from the jacaranda tree you are guaranteed success in your exams and that you will be able to graduate. I think the same will happen at this Faculty of Engineering too." Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura thanked the Former Prime Minister in his speech and commented, "with this as a catalyst, we hope to only deepen our ties with Australia". The Ceremony follows the gifting of 60 jacaranda seedlings to the Faculty of Engineering last year, through the Executive Committee of Jacarandas, in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and was held to coincide with the Former Prime Minister's visit to Yamaga City.

Dr. Jon Shaw, the Head of the Department of Foreign Languages and International Studies at the University of Central Lancashire, Visits Yamaguchi University

 On the 8th of June, the Head of the Department of Foreign Languages and International Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), Dr. Jon James Shaw and Lecturer Natsuko Imamura Holden, visited the Faculty of Engineering. UCLAN and the Faculty of Engineering tied an Academic Exchange Agreement on the 1st of March, 2008 following which the Faculty of Engineering admitted two students from the Japanese Language Course in UCLAN to study at the Faculty for the period of one year. It is planned that later this year three students from the Faculty of Engineering will travel to UCLAN to study. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the ties between the Universities and to reaffirm their commitment to the promotion and propulsion of academic exchange between the institutions. The visitors also met with the two students from UCLAN currently studying at the Faculty to discuss life in Japan and the progress of their studies.

Rachmat Sriwijaya of the Universitas Gadjah Mada Visits Yamaguchi University

 On the 3rd of June, the Head of the Office of International Affairs of the Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia, Dr. Rachmat Sriwijaya visited the Faculty of Engineering. The Universitas Gadjah Mada and Yamaguchi University signed an Academic Exchange Agreement last year and currently the Graduate School of Science and Engineering is admitting exchange students into a double degree program. A meeting was held with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura to discuss the current situation in Indonesia and the significance and meaning of the double degree program. The meeting later moved to the Seminar Room in the Mechanical Engineering Building where Dr. Rachmat Sriwijaya was able to meet and discuss issues with the exchange students.

Director of the University of Newcastle Language Centre Visits Yamaguchi University

 On the 2nd of June, the Director of the Language Centre at the University of Newcastle in Australia, Dr. Seamus Fagan, visited the Faculty of Engineering. The University of Newcastle and Yamaguchi University are sister universities and regularly exchange students. Every year Yamaguchi University sends students to the University of Newcastle for a short term academic exchange while currently one student from the University of Newcastle is studying Systems Engineering for half a year at Yamaguchi University. The Meeting with the Director, which spanned over two hours, included this student and was aimed at strengthening the ties between the universities and affirming the future of academic exchange between them.

Autograph Session and Free talk with Kamioooka Tome at Tokiwa Campus Co-op

 An autograph signing session and a free conversation with Kamioooka Tome, the author who is famous with the word "KIPPARI!(absolutely!)" was held on Friday, April 24th, at Yamaguchi University's Co-op, Faculty of Engineering branch.
The University's Co-op host reading marathon and there was an awarded to be won annually, and for this time, it was planned to move ahead on promoting this project. Tome is now continuing her writing endeavor in Ube resident and was formerly a graduate from Tokyo University of Science in architectural course, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering. During the autograph session, Tome signed the autograph on her recent work, "Noudama (Global Brain)" which is a collectively-written with the brain scientist. Tome shared her life story during the free conversation, and made it such a pleasant meeting when answering the questions from participants with her famous words, "KIPPARI!(absolutely!)" and "SUKKIRI!(completely!)".
For anyone who interested, please follow the link below for Tome's homepage. http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tomesan/(Japanese)

Hiroaki Nakayama Wins Young Engineer Award

 Hiroaki Nakayama won the prestigious Young Engineer Award from the worlds largest Electrical and Electronics Society, the Industrial Electronics Society Japan Chapter in the IEEE. He was awarded the title for the work he conducted while doing his postgraduate studies in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering at Yamaguchi University. He is currently working at the Panasonic Corporation.
The Young Engineer Award is presented every year to the one individual who conducts the most excellent research in the field of industrial electronics within Japan. Hiroaki Nakayama's thesis that won the award this year was entitled "A stand-Alone Photovoltaic Generation System with Soft-Switching Converters" and was presented last year in August, when Mr. Nakayama was enrolled as a student.
When commenting on the award, Mr. Nakayama humbly pointed out, "The research was not something I worked on and accomplished all by myself. Rather it was the product of many people cooperating and collaborating together. I aim to keep this in mind when pursuing further advancements in my research."

Freshman Seminar 2009

 A Freshman Seminar which aimed towards new students in the Faculty of Engineering for 2009 entrance was held from April 7 to April 8. Beside the colloquium with the lecturers, current students and other faculty members, the freshmen were lead to a research laboratory tour.
A "Scholastic Support System" was introduced in Yamaguchi University and starting from this year; the students have to register all the subjects they are going to take via the internet. Through this system, students can also check the Course Syllabus and confirm the number of credits they earned so far. During this seminar, the graduate students from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering together with related faculty members hold a training session to show the freshman about registration method through the web. The freshmen who at first, showed a little bit confusion about this new school enrollment style, gained to understand each other after the end of the seminar, and here at last, the freshmen made their first step into a real campus life.

Discussion Held with Exchange Students

 On the 16th of April a discussion was held between the exchange students from the universities with which Yamaguchi University has Academic Exchange Agreements and University staff. The six exchange students from New Castle University (Australia), Xihua University (China), Inha University (Korea) and Kunsan University (Korea) met with seven members of the University staff.
"Even though your period of study is for only half a year to a year, we hope that you not only learn about your field of study but also about Japanese culture," commented the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura "In the future, we hope that you will act as a bridge between your home university and Yamaguchi University, and as a bridge between your home country and Japan. For those students studying at a Bachelors level we ask you to consider joining our postgraduate programs," he added in his welcoming speech.
Following the discussion the students and staff introduced themselves in a mixture of English and Japanese, while sipping coffees as they discussed their dreams and fears about living in Japan, and their wish to gain the support of both the University and the community in a relaxed forty minute meeting.

International Students from the Faculty of Engineering Participate in SC Class at Ube High School

 On the 22nd of December, international students from the Tokiwa Campus volunteered to participate in the Super Career (SC) Class at Ube High School. The five students who participated were Mr. Emerson from Brazil, Mr. Azmi from Malaysia, Mr. Aung from Myanmar, and Mr. James and Mr. Michael from England. All five students are able to speak Japanese, but upon the request of the School gave self introductions and short talks on "My Culture" in English. The High School students in turn gave presentations in English explaining Japanese culture with help from university students from Baiko Gakuin. A question and answer session was then held were everyone could ask questions about the other countries and cultures and the event proved to be an ideal opportunity for the international students to interact with Japanese high school students.

Happy New Year!

 Last year began with a dark overtone as news spread of the effects of the American instigated world financial crisis on the Japanese economy. Through all this however there was some comforting news. But four Japanese scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize which brought all of us at the University great pride, hope and optimism.
This year Yamaguchi University's Faculty of Engineering, or as it used to be known, the Ube Technical School, will be celebrating its 70th anniversary since its establishment on the 22nd of May, 1939. The Faculty will also be celebrating its 60th anniversary since being renamed and reopened as the Faculty of Engineering of Yamaguchi University on the 1st of June, 1949. To commemorate this year of double celebrations, an academic library will be established and a memorial project concerning the environmental protection of the Tokiwa Grove will be carried out.
We ask everyone to work together to build upon the foundations of education and research that the forefathers of this University established for us, and to continue to cooperate with each other towards the development of this great 'Tokiwadai'. May this year be a wonderful year for us all!

Visit to Xihua University and Chongqing Institute of Technology, China

 Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura, Head of Technology Management, Mr. Kaminishi, Professor Jiang, Associate Professor Dr. Fukuyo and Chief of Management and Accounting, Mr. Matsumoto visited Xihua University and Chongqing Institute of Technology in China. The visit, which spanned 5 days starting from the 22nd of October, was held with two main objectives. The first objective was to discuss the potential of implementing a radical double degree system and to propel the exchange of researchers between the universities. The second objective was to visit and inspect the relief efforts and the damage caused by the earthquake that ravaged China's Szechuan Province on the 12th of May this year. The group visited the temporary living facilities in Dujiangyan City which is located near the epicenter of the earthquake. Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Miura gave a special lecture at both academic institutions entitled "The Importance of Seismic Prediction and Disaster Prevention Education". The lecture was extremely well-accepted with people crowding the hall and even standing in the aisles just to listen. After the lecture, a lively question and answer session ensued and further exchange and cooperation between Yamaguchi University and the institutions looked very promising.

International Exchange Club 'Akebono' hold Welcome Party

 On the 24th of October the International Exchange Club called Akebono held a party at the cafeteria in the Welfare Program Building to welcome the international students joining Tokiwa Campus in the second semester. The Akebono Club was started by Civil and Environmental Engineering student Daisuke Sakamoto after he realized that there were no support groups for international students at the Tokiwa Campus. The Club now hosts several projects a year with the aim of not only helping and supporting international students but making friends with people from all over the world.
The vibrant party, with music and speeches, was attended by 19 new international students, 14 current international students, 23 Japanese students and 18 members of the faculty.

Open Forum with Engineering College of Kunsan National University

 On the 19th of August a group of eight representatives including former Dean of the Engineering College, Dr. Moon, visited Yamaguchi University from Kunsan National University attended an Open Forum. Since signing an Academic Exchange Agreement in 2005, Yamaguchi University and Kunsan National University have continued to strengthen ties through regular international exchange. This is the forth visit made by representatives from Kunsan National University since signing the agreement. Yamaguchi University has sent a total of 10 representatives to Kunsan National University over two official visits where the representatives discussed the propulsion of education and research.
After discussing future cooperative projects between the universities in the room of the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the visiting group attended an Open Forum. The Forum, which continued for almost 5 hours, was an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss in detail the possibility of collaborative research.

Prof. MIURA , Award-Chugoku Bureau of Telecommunications Award of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (1st of July)

 Prof. MIURA , Dean of Faculty of Engineering, awarded Chugoku Bureau of Telecommunications Award of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on the 2nd of June at monthly memorial ceremony of information-communication 2008 held in Hiroshima, for his sizable contribution to development of radio utilization and information-communication. This award is given to individual or association by Dean of Chugoku Bureau of Telecommunications, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications every year. Prof. MIURA is engaged in chair of the Community of survey for promoting broadbandization in disadvantaged area with appointing Futaoi Island of Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. He collaborated with local residences, government and companies, and made a recommendation for it and has been evaluated his significant contribution to local region computerization and promoting literacy.

Visit to Kunsan National University of South Korea

 On the 5th of June, University Vice-President Dr. Morita, Head of the International Support Center, Mr. Mochizuki, Professor Hadano, Professor Jiang and the Head of International Exchange, Mr. Kuniyasu visited Kunsan National University of South Korea with which Yamaguchi University has an Academic Exchange Agreement. In front of a large audience including Kunsan National University President Dr. Na, several teaching staff and students wanting to know more about Japan, YU Vice-President Dr. Morita gave a speech concerning the educational systems employed in Japan and by Yamaguchi University. Professor Hatdano explained the initiatives of the East Asian Course and Professor Jiang talked about his personal educational curriculum. Several questions were asked regarding the educational system and curriculums as well as university and career choices. The visiting entourage was then separated into their fields of expertise and were given a tour of relevant laboratories. Here too ideas were exchanged concerning research and techniques. Kunsan National University plans on sending a group of representatives to Yamaguchi University later this fiscal year proving yet again that the ties between the universities continues to strengthen.

Jacaranda Seedlings from Australia

 On the 5th of June the Faculty of Engineering was gifted 60 of the 1000 jacaranda seedlings that were imported by Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture from Australia. The presentation ceremony which was held in the courtyard, celebrated the gift and the one who made it a reality through her request to Yamaga City, 3rd year student Madoka Chousokabe of the East Asian Course of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The jacaranda tree, which is native to South America, is one of three of the world's "Oohana" or "Great Flowers". Every year at the beginning of summer the tree bursts into bloom, putting on a spectacular display of purple hues and, much like the sakura to the Japanese, is loved by the people of Australia.
The seedlings will be nurtured for a year before being planted at a Tree-Planting Ceremony. The Ceremony, which is planned for June next year, will be presided over by Former Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke. It will be 4-5 years before the trees begin to flower but perhaps when they do, Tokiwa Campus will become famous for them and the tree will grow to be symbol of international cooperation.
Madoka Chousokabe is in the middle of the front row.