Activity Report of Open Application Program 2023 vol.3 (Course A)
An exchange experience to learn about Japan's advanced molecular simulation technology in interdisciplinary research that combines the life and engineering fields
Report from Tohoku University
We invited a total of 10 people (Professor Nasruddin and four students from the University of Indonesia, and Professor Sucipta and four students from the University of Udayana (Indonesia)) to the Institute of Fluid Science (IFS), Tohoku University for seven days between June 11 and 17, 2023 for a Science and Technology Experience Course exchange activity program: "An exchange experience to learn about Japan's advanced molecular simulation technology in interdisciplinary research that combines the life and engineering fields." You can also find information about the exchange on the University of Udayana website.
Tohoku University and the University of Indonesia ran a Sakura Science Program in FY2020. At the time, it had to be held online due to the COVID−19 pandemic, but this online exchange was the catalyst for students returning to Japan for study and to develop joint research. It also secured people with high levels of interest and motivation toward Japanese science and technology, with several of the students who participated in this online exchange even considering further education at Tohoku University. This exchange program added the University of Udayana as a new exchange destination, with the hope that more students from Indonesia as a country—not just those from the University of Indonesia—will learn about Japan's advanced technology, and this will further encourage study in Japan and research activities in Japan.
During this exchange, the participants attended practical lectures on advanced programing and simulation technology in the life and engineering fields over four days; the students turned their hands to actual programming and learned about simulation technology. Students from the Mabuchi Group, which carries out research using molecular simulations, also joined in as helpers, so we were able to respond to detailed questions about programming while promoting international exchange between students of the same age. We invited Associate Professor Shoji of Nagaoka University of Technology, who is our joint research partner and active at the forefront of the nano sensor field, to participate in the lectures as a lecturer, and ran an online lecture introducing this field and collaboration with molecular simulations. With the cooperation of the nine experimental labs in IFS, we also ran a laboratory tour. Creating opportunities for the students to experience not only simulations but also diverse advanced research that is not constrained by fields connected to fluid science meant we could encourage the participants' interest in a wider range of advanced research activities in Japan. The students also experienced 3D visualization technology via the Realization Workspace (RWS), part of the next generation fusion research system of the Advanced Fluid Information Research Center, IFS, Tohoku University.
On the final day, the participants visited the National Institute of Technology, Hachinohe College, where they were introduced to the KOSEN education system and university/KOSEN exchange by Prof. Yamamoto of the Material and Biological Engineering course. Through this, we raised our hopes of encouraging collaboration with Japanese education and research institutions, rather than just universities.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm thank you to everyone involved in the Sakura Science Program for their great support for this program, to the faculty members, staff, and students of the Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University who cooperated with this program, and to everyone involved in the National Institute of Technology, Hachinohe College.
