On September 29, Okayama University held an online symposium under
the theme of “Society 5.0 for SDGs” to commemorate the inauguration of
the new Faculty of Engineering, which was integrated “Faculty of
Engineering” and “Faculty of Environmental Science and Technology” under
the slogan of “A practical education of Society 5.0 for SDGs” earlier
this year.
Approximately 326 people joined the symposium, which was initially meant
to be held as a hybrid onsite-online event in keeping with the diverse
means of organizing events in a post-corona world. However, as a result
of the continuing spread of the novel coronavirus, the event was moved
completely online.
President MAKINO Hirofumi opened the event by explaining the structure
of the new faculty, the largest of its kind in the Chugoku and Shikoku
regions, as well as the goals of its various curriculums. He described
the newly integrated Engineering Department, which offers four programs
with 10 tracks, featuring cross-disciplinary learning that is not bound
by conventional departments with the aim to make Society 5.0 a reality
through practical education of Society 5.0 for SDGs. He further
explained that the faculty offers courses that will train students to be
professionals in topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data
and IoT education and highlighted that the faculty offers innovative
educational programs in architecture.
Afterwards, SHIOKAWA Tatsuhiro (Director of the Technical Education
Division, Higher Education Bureau at the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports and Technology (MEXT)) gave a congratulatory speech, saying that
he hoped the new Faculty of Engineering would provide an opportunity
for Okayama University to become a research university that together
creates and nurtures a brighter future.
In the morning session, invited speaker KAWANISHI Atsushi (head of
Atsushi Kawanishi Architects) gave a lecture titled, “Architecture that
connects the community and expands society”, followed by the keynote
address by ABE Masanobu (Okayama University Executive Director for
Promotion of Digital Transformation) titled “Approaches to co-education
and co-creation in the new Faculty of Engineering.”
In the afternoon session, no fewer than seventeen faculty members gave
presentations on their research results, featuring various research
topics ranging from how data science can contribute to Society 5.0, to
how offshore wind power can help achieve carbon neutrality in 2050, to
how proper management of organic matter in agricultural land ecosystems
can help achieve the SDGs.
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dean
SUGA Seiji from the Faculty of Engineering. Panelists included invited
speaker KAWANISHI Atsushi and keynote speaker ABE Masanobu, as well as
Professor OKAYASU Mitsuhiro (Vice Dean for Public Relations from the
Faculty of Engineering). Three Okayama University students also
participated as panelists and had the opportunity to explain their study
interests, with NISHIDA Yuri discussing how her goal of becoming an
architect led her to study Urban Environment Development at Okayama
University’s newly established department; while graduate student
NAGASHIMA Yoshiki described how his vision of a society where anyone can
utilize artificial intelligence by using no-code AI platforms inspired
him to establish Tech Sword, Ltd., the first AI venture started by an
Okayama University student. When it was his turn to speak, TAKATANI
Tsugumi discussed various activities organized by the Data Science Club,
including recent Hackathon events.
Then, Professor Okayasu introduced the faculty’s various PR activities
to encourage prospective students to study at the Faculty of
Engineering. Meanwhile, KAWANISHI Atsushi and ABE Masanobu contributed
by sharing their opinions, giving suggestions, and encouraging the
students.
During the break time between sessions, there were live broadcasts of a
performance by members of the Okayama Philharmonic Orchestra and of
videos showing biomass power generation and the CLT manufacturing
process.
Throughout the program, speakers highlighted the importance of architectural education programs to establish so-called “Innovation Commons” (centers that facilitate pooling of information and research to maximize the potential for innovation and discovery) through the promotion of co-creation and co-education.
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/eng/news/index_id10637.html
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