A lively exchange with NASDA Astronaut Koichi Wakata

Since graduating in 1989, NASDA astronaut, Koichi Wakata, one of the many now prospering alumni of Kyushu University's graduate program in Engineering, participated in flights of the space shuttle Discovery in 1996 and 2000, making a significant contribution to construction of the international space station. In April 2003, he entered the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics to study for a Doctor Course designed for working professionals (tutor: Koji Isogai) of the Graduate School of Engineering.

On May 22, he visited the campus to exchange ideas and opinions with Kyushu University students. After making a remarkable presentation on “the manned space flight system --- space shuttle and ISS,” Mr. Wakata contributed to a research presentation and symposium on “the prevention of accidents on largescale systems” held by students of the university's doctoral program in mechanics. By offering insightful remarks and actively sharing his views on a number of related topics, he made a strong and lasting impression on over 150 of his junior students.

Mr. Wakata is talking to the students

Crown Prince visits Kyushu University

During his visit to Fukuoka to attend a ceremony for the General Assembly of the Japan Medical Congress, Crown Prince Naruhito made a special visit to Kyushu University Hospital on April 5, the Saturday following the opening session of the Congress.

Tisato Kajiyama, President of Kyushu University, Yasushi Mitarai, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hitoo Nakano, Vice President of Kyushu University, and Hajime Nawata, Director of University Hospital welcomed the Prince at the entrance of centennial Hall opened in March 2003 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine's establishment.

Guided by the explanatory remarks of Professor Makoto Hashizume of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the Prince was able to view a medical demonstration performed with cutting-edge surgical instruments and ask questions afterwards. At Davinci, he then proceeded to skillfully sew up an incision on a model using robotic technology, receiving a round of applause from Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Wataru Aso and other attendants.

(Starting from the left) Fukuoka Prefectual Governor Aso, Crown Prince, Professor Hashizume

The MEXT 21st Century COE Program Presentation
concerning the establishment of Research Bases held in Tokyo

President Kajiyama	Professor Imanishi	Professor Fujiki	Professor Shinkai	Professor Maeda

On May 29, the university hosted the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 21st Century COE Program Presentation concerning the establishment of Research Bases on “Kyushu University's challenge -research strategy and future vision” at Keidanren Hall, in Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Coming from industrial as well as academic circles, about 300 people attended the meeting, including a number of Kyushu University alumni. Participants included, from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Councilor Kaoru Mamiya, Tateo Arimoto, the Minister's Secretariat Councilor (in charge of the Lifelong Learning Bureau), and Kenkichi Hirose, the Minister's Secretariat Councilor (in charge of the Science, Technology and Academic Policy Bureau).

President Kajiyama started the meeting with a speech entitled “Kyushu University's challenge -research strategy and future vision.” Outlines of programs and efforts at each hub were offered by the 21st Century COE Program leaders of the selected research base projects in FY 2002: Yuichiro Imanishi, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Yukio Fujiki of the Faculty of Sciences, Professor Seiji Sinkai of the Faculty of Engineering, and Mitsuo Maeda, Dean of the Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering.

A panel discussion concerning "Partnerships between society and universities" followed. Kotoku Kurachi, the meeting's coordinator and Manager of the Age Dimension Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, along with panelists Nobuyuki Masuda, Chairman of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Ryuji Koyama, Director, Office for Technology Transfer Promotion, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Professor Seiji Sinkai , Professor Katsuo Sueishi of the Faculty of Medicine, and Associate Professor Megumi Takata of the Faculty of Economy (Technology Transfer Office) exchanged opinions on the status of industry-academia collaboration. In connection to these ideas, participants were invited to discuss methods and offer strategies for strengthening partnerships between the university and society as a whole.

Promoting comprehensive cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

(Starting from the left) Professor Imaishi, Professor Koterayama, Professor Murakami, Mr. Tsuge, Mr. Tokuda

Kyushu University's Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, and the Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering will conclude an agreement on promoting comprehensive cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Headquarters.

The primary aim of the partnership is to promote industry-academia collaboration in the advancement of technologies related to energy, distribution and information, as well as to foster the development of highly-skilled, broad-minded engineers by combining the university's achievements in basic research with the technological management potential of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Both joint and sponsored research will be conducted under the agreement, as well as active researcher exchange through internships for students in the university's doctoral program. In addition, a cooperation evaluation committee will be established, and a series of technical exchange meetings held in conjunction. Prior to the June 7th signing ceremony, Yukitaka Murakami, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Toru Fukano, also of the Faculty of Engineering, and Mitsuo Maeda, Dean of the Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering attended a press conference held in the main building of the Faculty of Engineering on June 5.