2024 Activity Report Group 4 : (University) University of Tsukuba

SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 4

Experiencing a Cybernics Lecture and Supercomputing at the University of Tsukuba

 On Tuesday, October 22, 32 high school students from Argentina, Bangladesh, Laos, and Papua New Guinea in SSHP Group 4 visited the University of Tsukuba. At the introduction of the university, Associate Prof. NOMURA Yoshio (Manager of Int`l Admissions, Admissions Center) offered his explanation. In it, he explained the international nature of the University of Tsukuba and the rich study and research environment. He told the international students "This university is currently open to the world where approximately 2,400 students from 116 countries around the world are studying. Furthermore, the city of Tsukuba, where the University of Tsukuba is located, is a major base for research in science and technology. In the School of Science and Engineering, we have two Nobel Prize winners who have been involved in education." Continuing with discussions with the international students (from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Laos) gave them an opportunity to hear valuable stories about university life. The high school students seemed to have a great interest in Japanese universities.

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 In the afternoon, they visited the Center for Cybernics Research. Following a lecture from Prof. KURODA Yoshihiro (Director of Center) on "Cybernics is a new academic field, aiming for a society where people and technology coexist," the high school students asked many questions, such as "Is cybernics technology 'environmentally friendly'?" and so on. In addition, Prof. Kuroda also said, "I was impressed by the fact that they were all high school students with a strong sense of exploration."

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 The next place they visited was the Center for Computer Sciences (CCS). They heard explanations including "CCS uses supercomputers to conduct research in various fields such as elementary particles, space, and life sciences, and has been used in many collaborative research programs. In addition, we are also designing and developing the next supercomputer. The students were full of questions such as "Is there more water or air in the cooling system of the supercomputer?" Finally, they had a tour of the supercomputer Cygnus, which is currently in operation. Cygnus is the tenth generation of the PACS series that CSS has been researching and developing, but it was the first time that high school students saw a supercomputer. They were also eagerly observing the inside of the computer. In addition, when they saw the constellation that means Cygnus on the side of the supercomputer, they said, "It's very beautiful. This is a supercomputer that we would expect in Japan."

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