The “Overseas Summer Camp Program” was a joint event planned and managed by the program students in conjunction with an overseas research group at a foreign university/research institute.Through this experience, we hope that they cultivate the ability to view research activities from a comprehensive perspective and to form international networks.Following is a detailed account of the NTU-HU Joint Material Science Workshop, which is the first the “Overseas Summer Camp Program”. It was written by one of the students involved in planning and managing.

Photo:National Taiwan University, venue of the workshop.

The Program Pilot Students and the 1st-term Students hosted the NTU-HU Joint Material Science Workshop at National Taiwan University in Taipei on October 1 and 2, 2015. Totally 11 students, seven Program Pilot Students and four 1st-term Students, and eight faculty members from Hokkaido University attended the event. They all engaged in zealous academic discussions with the students and the faculty members from National Taiwan University.

Photo:Shota Sakaki giving his presentation.

Photo:Q&A session in morning oral presentations on Day 1.

Photo:Afternoon poster presentation on Day 1.

We had oral presentations from both sides and poster presentations by students on the first day of the workshop. Five students and three faculty members from our program gave oral presentations in English while all students participated in the poster presentations. Five students and three faculty members from National Taiwan University gave oral presentations, and 11 students partook in the poster presentation. We were able to exchange ideas beyond the boundaries of the student–teacher relationship and specific academic fields as this workshop had gathered researchers from a variety of areas. Demonstrating the spirit of a student-oriented workshop, I was most impressed with the in question sessions.

Photo:Visiting Laboratory on Day 2.

On the second day of the workshop, program participants and the Program Faculty were divided into four groups for a tour of facilities and laboratories at National Taiwan University. Further discussions and opinions were exchanged as students from the host university introduced various research projects to us. I was very excited to learn how overseas research groups differed from those in Japan in terms of atmosphere, research content, and student life.

This workshop turned out to an extremely fruitful event, even though we experienced some difficulties as the Program Students planned the very first “Overseas Summer Camp Program”. We started to prepare for this event five months before and learned what was required in order to organize such a workshop. As inexperienced beginners, we greatly appreciate all the supports by the students and the faculty members of National Taiwan University as well as the Program Faculty, they made this event to be successful. We will share the experiences and lessons learned through hosting this workshop, and will utilize newly-acquired executive skills on international stages.

Report: Shota Sakaki, Program Student, the second year in doctor’s program, Graduate School of Engineering