On May 21, forty-five high school students and supervisors from Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam visited Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) as part of the Sakura Science High School Program.
The Sakura Science High School Program, organized by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), invites outstanding high school students from overseas and provides them with opportunities to experience Japan's cutting-edge science and technology, as well as interact with top scientists. The Institute supports the purpose of this program and welcomes high school students to the campus each year.
Professor Hidetoshi Sekiguchi, Executive Vice President for Education, delivered a welcome speech to the visiting students. This was followed by an overview of the Institute presented by Professor Tomohiro Nozaki from the School of Engineering, who also serves as Deputy Director of International Affairs at the Admissions Center. Thereafter, Associate Professor Alvin Christopher Galang Varquez and Specially Appointed Associate Professor Sasipa Boonyubol from the School of Environment and Society introduced the Global Scientists and Engineers Program (GSEP), an undergraduate degree program conducted entirely in English in the Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering.
After the orientation session, the visiting high school students were divided by country into three groups. Each group, guided by current university students, had lunch together at Tsubame Terrace and toured campus facilities including the museum, Taki Plaza, and the International Student Lounge. After freely exploring the campus, they headed to the venue for the afternoon program.
The afternoon session started with a lecture titled “Energy Conversion and Thermophysics” by Professor Tetsuya Suekane from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, followed by a lively Q&A session. The group then headed to the Collaboration Center for Design and Manufacturing, where Science Tokyo students can fully experience the joy of monotsukuri (technical ingenuity and innovation). After a general introduction to the center’s facilities, the visiting students also had a chance to hear from current members of student clubs such as Meister and the Society for the Study of Robotics, who showcased their hand-made human-powered aircraft and robots.
The day concluded with a group session moderated by three current (senpai) Science Tokyo international students from each respective country. The moderating students hosted using English and their native language, engaging in Q&A while sharing their reasons for choosing to study in Japan, scholarship opportunities, student club activities, as well as how they spend their daily life in Japan.
International students form an integral part of Science Tokyo, constituting 17% of the total student body as of May 2024 (including exchange students, science & engineering fields). The visiting high school students spent an enjoyable day on a campus where many outstanding international students study, and concluded the program with first-hand experience of cutting edge science and engineering.
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