The International Center (Director: Prof. Masahiro MURAOKA), together with three departments of the Faculty of Engineering (Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, and Applied Chemistry), conducted an online exchange program with the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET, Mongolia) and Mongol Koosen College of Technology for seven days from January 20 to 31.
The agreement with the university was signed in December 2019, and the exchange was realized for the first time in online form with the support of the International Science Exchange Program for Youth (Sakura Science Program) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
The main theme of this program was "Science and Technology for Sustainable Development of Society with Human and Environmental Friendliness", and consisted of three parts: basic lectures on three engineering fields, poster presentations by OIT graduate students, and cultural exchange.
The main contents are as follows.
◆Lectures on Basic Engineering
*Jan. 21: “Earthquake Damage Evaluation and Rehabilitation Technique for Building Structures” by Dr. Chunri QUAN, Dept. of Architecture
*Jan. 24: “Artificial Photosynthesis towards Hydrogen Society: from Basics to Applications” by Dr. Shinya HIGASHIMOTO, Dept. of Applied Chemistry
*Jan. 25: “Loud noise due to sonic boom on the development of supersonic transports” lectured by Dr. Takahiro UKAI, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
*Jan. 27: “Amines-intercalated α-zirconium phosphate as latent thermal catalysts in the reaction of epoxy resin” lectured by Dr. Osamu SHIMOMURA, Dept. of Applied Chemistry
◆Poster presentation and discussion by OIT graduate students (26th)
*“Effect of Ring Components on Synthesis of Rotaxanes Bearing Plural Substituents” by Ryuichi SUGA, Major in Applied Chemistry, Environmental and Biomedical Engineering
*“Molecular Shutting Properties of Rotaxanes Containing Phenanthroline Derivatives as Axial Components” by Shohei YAMAZAKI, Major in Applied Chemistry, Environmental and Biomedical Engineering
*“SAMSARA -A proposal for the circular community in Naramachi-“ by Yuki UEDA, Major in Architecture, Civil Engineering and Urban Design
◆Cultural Experience Exchange
*Jan. 20: Opening Session: Introduction of the two universities and participants, explanation of the program
*Jan. 31: Closing session: Introduction of culture of both countries and virtual tour of Omiya campus
According to the results of the questionnaire, most of the Mongolian participants were "very satisfied," indicating their high level of interest. In addition, through the series of lectures, they seemed to have reaffirmed the importance of the “SDGs” and other efforts to solve common issues facing humanity.
It is hoped that this exchange will lead to the development of study abroad programs and joint research in Japan.