SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 2
Learning the Basics of Science and Engineering at Sophia University
Members of the SSHP Group 2 visited the Sophia University Yotsuya Campus.
After a welcoming greeting from Professor Kondo Jiro, the students were briefed on the history of the university and the contents of the class. The students were also given an explanation of the scholarship system for international students, life support, and employment support after graduation. The high school students seemed to be relieved to have that information.
After the university introduction, the students were split into seven groups and were taken on a campus tour with university students. Everyone was surprised to hear that there was a church on campus called Kulturheim, where graduates can get married. In addition to the general campus cafeteria, Muslim high school students were also pleased when they heard that specialized halal food is also offered at the cafeteria.
In the afternoon, the high school students participated in a lab tour with university students. The participants visited nine laboratories: (1) Semiconductor Engineering; (2) Machine Learning; (3) Polymer Chemistry; (4) Precision Machinery; (5) Language Audiology; (6) Organic Synthetic Chemistry; (7) Combustion and Explosion; (8) Plant Molecular Biology; and (9) Optical Physics. Everyone was intrigued by the latest research equipment and advanced research content. Even high school students who are worried that they may not be able to do that kind of experiment seemed to have been reassured when they were told that if they study step by step, they will do just fine!
After the lab tour, Prof. Gonsalves Tad of the University's Faculty of Science and Technology waited whom they had been waiting for gave a mock lesson entitled "Current Status and the Future Possibilities of AI." He gave an easy-to-understand explanation of the potential and challenges of the future use of AI from the birth of AI. AI-created images of salmon fillets swimming across the river caused the venue to erupt with laughter.
During the exchange meeting with students, the Korean international student gave an explanation why she chose Sophia University as their school of choice and what her university life is like. "It is very convenient because it is close to anywhere you might want to go such as Shinjuku, or Shibuya, and there are many delicious shops nearby," thereby giving a strong appeal of the good aspects of Sophia University. The high school students asked specific questions such as "How much does it cost to live in Japan?" and others, regarding studying abroad.
Having come into direct contact with an actual research site, it was a very meaningful day for those high school students who are aiming to study science and engineering in the future.