The 2021 Hokkaido University Ambitious Program for Pioneering Smart Materials Science (hereafter, SMatS) was held online for the first batch of students. This program is designed to train graduate students in the doctoral course not only to conduct research in their specialized fields, but also to develop smart materials science skills and the ability to implement them in society. When the certificates were awarded, coordinator Tetsuya Taketsugu showed the 11 program students to the monitor and said, "You have been certified as the first student of the Ambitious Program that pioneers smart material science. I hope that you will play an active role as a program student.”
Click here for the official website of the Ambitious Program for pioneering smart material science at Hokkaido University
Introduction of coordinator Tetsuya Taketsugi's greeting
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have been hired as first-term students. We are very pleased to accept 11 students from several graduate schools of Hokkaido University. The timing of recruitment coincides with the master's thesis presentation, and some of you may be hesitant to apply. However, please be confident that you have made the decision to apply, been selected, and gathered here. The SMatS concept started in 2017. We spent a lot of time deliberating on the significance of graduate school education and how to take it, and we have reached this day. In 2013, we Hokkaido University Ambitious Leader's Program Fostering Future Leaders to Open New Frontiers in Materials Science (ALP) was adopted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and has been fostering leaders who will play an active role in academia and industry through five years of education by integrating materials science with mathematical science and science and technology communication. SMatS is an attempt to further develop this experience and knowledge.
The aim is to understand material science in a wide range of fields, while at the same time mastering mathematical science, computational science, and data science. We aim to lead the science and technology required for Society 5.0 and develop human resources who can realize innovation. In 2018, along with ALP, the Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (ICReDD) was selected as a world-class research center program in the field of material science at our university. At ICReDD, we are fusing computational science, data science, and experimental science to accelerate the speed of developing new useful chemical reactions or new materials. In addition, we have created an international team with various researchers belonging to our university and are working hard on cutting-edge research. The knowledge gained here is provided to graduate students in the field of material science belonging to SMatS, and is positioned as a unique educational program at our university that leads to human resource development.
All of you have advanced to the doctoral program and have already established your own research theme to some extent. The subjects offered by this program may not necessarily be directly linked to your research theme or useful. Some people may feel resistance to that, but in the long run, it will definitely come in handy. Again, computer simulation and data science approaches are important in any field these days. We hope that you will actively participate in the diverse lineup of lectures and events. As a first-year student of this program, I hope that you will hone your "skills in smart materials science" and serve as a role model for future program students.
Click here for the official website of the Ambitious Program for pioneering smart material science at Hokkaido University