Kyudai News No26 page 17/28

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Kyudai News No26

Kyudai News No.26 16FirstEJapaneseEISSECommanderAstronaut Koichi Wakata, analumnus of this university whowas the first Japanese nationalto serve as commander of theInternational Space Station (ISS),came to the university onSaturday, August 9, 2014, on hisfirst visit since returning from hisfourth spaceflight.Met on arrival by facultymembers and students from theDepartment of Aeronautics andAstronautics, Dr. Wakata visitedthe SHIIKI HALL at the ItoCampus and made a courtesyvisit to Dr. Arikawa who wasPresident of Kyushu University atthat time before acommemorative event in the hall,at which Dr. Wakata received awarm welcome from around1000 people, including students,staff, and faculty members of theuniversity, as well as childrenfrom the Young Astronauts Club? Japan. Dr. Wakata’s formerprofessor, Shigeru Aso of theFaculty of Engineering, servedas master of ceremonies at thecommemorative event, at whichDr. Wakata returned to Dr.Arikawa a memento bearing theKyushu University logo, which hehad taken with him on his recentspaceflight. In turn, Dr. Arikawapresented Dr. Wakata with aspecial letter of thanks.Following on from this, Dr.Wakata gave a short lectureabout his recent mission,interspersed with photographs ofFukuoka as seen from the ISS.CherishEeveryEsingleEmomentThere was also a surpriseappearance by YasuakiTatsuyama, a television andradio weather forecaster whowas a year or two below Dr.Wakata in the same researchlaboratory, while members of theaudience contributed messageswelcoming Dr. Wakata back andexpressing the hope that hewould return to KyushuUniversity again. Dr. Wakataencouraged the students of hisalma mater, saying, “Cherishevery single moment that youspend at Kyushu University; setyourself solid goals and workhard to achieve them, keepingyour antennae tuned to the worldat large.” All in all, the event wasa great success.Dr. Wakata’s swearing‐in ceremonyJAXA AstronautKoichi Wakata Visitshis Alma Mater,Kyushu UniversityClose Up 02