2026 Activity Report Group 1 : (University) University of Tsukuba

On May 26, a total of 60 participants from India—56 high school students and 4 supervisors—from Group 1 of the Sakura Science High School Program (SSHP) visited the University of Tsukuba in two groups.

The visit began with a presentation by Associate Professor NOMURA Nakao, who is in charge of international collaboration in the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. He introduced the history of Tsukuba Science City, Japan's largest research and development hub, as well as gave an overview of the University of Tsukuba. The university was highlighted for its strong emphasis on research as a national comprehensive university, its distinguished alumni including Nobel laureates, and its well-equipped research facilities.

The high school students showed particular interest in undergraduate programs offered entirely in English, which allow students to earn a degree without requiring Japanese proficiency. These include diverse programs such as the Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) Program and Life and Environmental Sciences. Associate Professor NOMURA noted that the university currently hosts approximately 2,500 international students, with the number of students from India increasing each year. He expressed his hope to welcome more talented students from India to further enhance the university's diverse and international environment. He also introduced the comprehensive support system available to students, including student housing, a tutoring system, and facilities such as meditation/prayer spaces on campus, which the students listened to with great interest.

This was followed by an interaction session with Indian students and researchers currently studying at the University of Tsukuba. Speakers ranged from first-year undergraduate students in the IDE program to doctoral students conducting stem cell research.
　The discussion became particularly lively when topics such as India's national entrance examinations (including JEE) were raised. The high school students asked a variety of forward-looking questions, including reasons for choosing Japan, how to prepare for essay- and interview-based admissions, how to obtain the MEXT (Japanese Government) scholarship, and daily life as a vegetarian in Japan. The speakers shared their personal experiences and provided thoughtful advice, emphasizing Japan's world-class safety and the importance of focusing on application essays. At the end of the session, a representative of the high school students delivered a speech expressing gratitude to Associate Professor NOMURA, saying, “We are excited to learn from Japan's discipline and advanced technology.”

Next, Senior Researcher SEKIYA Kaoru, a science communicator at the Center for Computational Sciences, delivered a lecture on the forefront of supercomputer research.
　A key feature of the center is its close collaboration between developers (computer scientists) and users (computational scientists) in fields such as astrophysics and drug discovery. This collaborative feedback loop enables more advanced scientific achievements.
　The lecture also highlighted the remarkable progress in technology. For example, the supercomputer CP-PACS, developed by the university in 1996 and once ranked No. 1 in the world, has computational power equivalent to that of a single modern iPhone. Currently, three systems, including the latest model Sirius, introduced this year, are in operation, driving cutting-edge research into the future.
　At the end of the lecture, a student representative expressed appreciation, saying, "We are inspired by Japan's advanced technology and teamwork."

After the lecture, the group moved to the supercomputer facility, where they observed the latest system Sirius up close, experiencing firsthand the environment that supports world-leading research.

Before lunch, the participants gathered in front of a bronze statue at the university's symbolic Stone Plaza for a group photo, holding the university's purple flag along with the program banner. They then enjoyed a friendly curry lunch together with senior international students, further deepening their interactions with one another and making the visit a truly meaningful experience.