Activity Report of Open Application Course vol.6
Conveying the appeal of studying in Ishikawa Pref. to outstanding Thai high school students
Report from Ishikawa Prefecture
(Committee for International Promotion of Ishikawa as a University Prefecture)
Through support from the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science, a total of sixteen people (fifteen high school students and one instructor) from Thailand were invited to Ishikawa Pref. for a program lasting about one week from October 15 to 21, 2017.
The purpose of this program was to promote people coming to Ishikawa Pref. for foreign study at universities and graduate schools in the prefecture. Program participants were introduced to advanced research and research facilities at science universities, research institutions, and corporation in Ishikawa Pref.
Through cooperation with the Basic Education Committee of the Thai Ministry of Education, fifteen outstanding Thai high school students from throughout Thailand were selected to participate in the program. These students are interested in studying abroad in Japan in the future.
October 15:
After arriving at Komatsu Airport and attending orientation at the Fourth High School Memorial Museum of Cultural Exchange, Ishikawa, the Thai students experienced Ishikawa culture by visiting sites such as Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle.
October 16:
Students visited Komatsu Awazu Plant and Kanazawa University. At Komatsu Awazu Plant, students toured actual production processes for construction equipment and received an explanation on special production measures. At Kanazawa Univ., students toured experimental facilities. They learned about the use of renewable energy such as biofuel made from algae and natural energy such as wind power and hydropower.
October 17:
Students visited the Kanazawa Institute of Technology and Ishikawa Prefectural University. At the Kanazawa Institute of Technology, students toured campus facilities such as the Library Center. They also toured Yumekobo (Factory for Dreams and Ideas), which is the base for student-driven projects such as manufacturing of solar cars and small unmanned airplanes. A team from Yumekobo also won Robocon 2013. At Ishikawa Prefectural Univ., students learned about genetic engineering for materials production and plant pathology for agricultural production.
October 18:
Students visited Nakamura-Tome Precision Industry Co., Ltd. and the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. At Nakamura-tome, they toured facilities such as manufacturing processes for multi-task fabrication machinery. At the Institute, students learned about supercomputers and experienced a 3D virtual reality system using 3D goggles.
October 19:
In the morning, students visited Ishikawa Prefectural Office for a lecture on undeveloped mountainous and coastal regions near populated areas of the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Pref. In the afternoon, students visited the Noto Peninsula. On the way, the passed through the Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, which is the only sand beach in Japan that can be driven by car. Students learned about activities to prevent beach erosion.
From the afternoon, students stayed at Shunran-no-Sato, a farm-style guesthouse on the Noto Peninsula. Shunran-no-Sato allows guess to experience traditional life in the undeveloped mountainous and coastal regions of the Noto Peninsula, which were the first regions in Japan to be registered as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in 2011. Shunran-no-Sato preserves the culture and biodiversity of mountain farming villages and coastal fishing villages.
October 20:
Students visited the Japan Aviation Academy for a tour of aircraft maintenance and practice facilities for engine assembly. Students tried designing aircraft by using CATIA software that is actually used in the design process. Students also met with Thai students who are currently studying abroad in Japan. They discussed topics such as school curriculum and lifestyle in Japan. Afterwards, they returned to Kanazawa City for a closing ceremony. They returned to Thailand the next day.
It is our ardent hope that the Thai high school students who recently visited Japan were able to recognize the appeal of studying in Ishikawa Pref. We look forward to them selecting Ishikawa Pref. as their site of foreign studies in the future. Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the SAKURA Science and all related officials for this precious opportunity.