Activity Report of Open Application Course vol.46
Indonesian university students and a faculty member learn the nanocarbon synthesis method and the bioelectrochemistry measurement method
Report from the Tominaga Research Laboratory of the Graduate
School of Science and Engineering, Saga University
Three persons, a faculty member Yunita Triana, a fourth-year student of Kalimantan Tech and a fourth-year student of Surabaya Tech, were invited for 10 days from the 16th to 25th of January 2018. This science technology training course was conducted, as part of the training program, for the purpose of learning the nanocarbon synthesis method and bioelectrochemistry measurement method, which uses the said method and, as part of the experience program, to interact with students and understand the history of Japanese Meiji-era as well as restoration from the Kumamoto earthquake and Japanese efforts against earthquake.
Training program
In addition to learning the carbon nanotube composite electrode production method and nanocarbon-modified functionalized electrode production method, the bioelectrochemistry measurement method for enzyme reaction using these functionalized electrodes was learned. In addition, Sandra Sopian of Surabaya Tech, which is a joint research partner, also learned about microbial fuel cell production and evaluation technologies using nanocarbon-modified felt electrodes. For Japanese students who helped in the training, it must have been a great experience to explain experimental procedures in English.
Shaimah Rinda Sari and Sandra Sopian both gave 20-minute presentations in English to introduce research and experimental results at their universities in their home countries. Yunita Triana gave a presentation for approximately 40 minutes in English to introduce the content of her research. Japanese undergraduates and graduate students also made 10-minute introductions of their research in English.
Experience program
On the weekend, they made a trip to Kumamoto. They visited Kumamoto Castle that is under repair from the damage suffered from the Kumamoto earthquake and urban district to understand what earthquake measures are taken for Japanese houses. They seemed to be very much interested in the Japanese-style garden in Suizenji Jojuen Garden. They found the powdered green tea they had in Suizenji Jojuen Garden to be quite bitter.
To deepen their understanding of Saga Prefecture, they visited Okuma Memorial Museum, the house where Shigenobu Okuma was born, and Saga Castle History Museum to learn the relationship between Saga-shi and Japanese history. At the house where Shigenobu Okuma was born, thankfully to the guide’s kindness, they could enter the second floor that is normally closed. They seemed to understand Japanese old houses and lifestyles very well. They also learned about the biomass industrial city promotion measures of Saga-shi.
Comments from Japanese graduate students
The following comments are from Japanese graduate students who provided the main support throughout this program.
T: I was worried at first whether I would be able to take good care of them. As we started conducting experiments and having meals together, my worries disappeared, and I felt pleasure in doing something together with foreign people. Despite it being a short period of only 10 days, it was a really good experience for me too.
O: In this program, I provided support to an Indonesian student who is researching the “mud battery”, which is also my field of study. Through facility tour and sightseeing, I learned about the economic and cultural differences between Japan and Indonesia. As an opportunity for international exchange, it was a really valuable time. As for research, more advancement in research can be expected by sharing technologies and know-how of each research laboratory. In addition, we could obtain new knowledge by exchanging each other’s comments on the experimental results and having discussions. Through this program, gaining more in-depth understanding of the research content was a particularly big achievement for me, not to mention improvement in my linguistic ability.
Conclusion
A certificate awarding ceremony was held on the day before they returned to their home country. In farewell, we had a Takoyaki (octopus dumpling) party. Using ingredients purchased, participants cooked Takoyaki together and had a good time in a friendly atmosphere. They said that Takoyaki-like food also exists in Indonesia, and various other ingredients are used in place of octopus.
Kalimantan Tech is a university established under mother universities Surabaya Tech and Institut Teknologi Bandung four years ago, and will graduate students for the first time this year. The faculty member Yunita Triana agreed to pursue future academic agreements. It can certainly be expected to lead to the advancement of future student/academic exchanges.
Finally, we would like to thank the administrative staff of Saga University for cooperation and the students of Saga University for their significant contributions. We would also like to thank the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science for providing support.
