Messages from Graduates

In addition to the rich research content I am also able to learn skills that are useful in society.

KOBAYASHI Kenya

Graduate School of Engineering, Iwate University (Yokota-Toki Laboratory)
Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology (Name before reorganization)
Graduated in 2014
[From Hirosaki High School, Aomori Prefecture]

The city of Morioka, where Iwate University is located, has enough necessities and facilities for daily life, beautiful streets, and convenient transportation. I had such a good image of Iwate as a city, and that is what made me choose Iwate University. I chose this course because I liked chemistry and I hoped to find a job related to it in the future. From my undergraduate days until now, when I have advanced to graduate school, I have continued my research on amino acids. I belong to a crystal engineering laboratory with about 30 students, and we have a very good relationship not only with each other but also with our professors. We are currently conducting research on the growth of amino acid crystals, and in addition to the university's own analytical instruments, many of them are shared with the Center for the Promotion of Regional Collaboration and other institutions, so we are able to conduct research with excellent facilities and equipment. In addition, I have many opportunities to give presentations on my research results, and I am able to learn how to communicate in an easy-to-understand manner, how to construct words, and other skills that are useful in society in addition to research.

Interviewed in March 2017.

I was able to learn an important way of thinking that is fundamental to manufacturing. I was able to learn an important way of thinking that is fundamental to manufacturing.

KONNO Keita

NTT East
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Systems Engineering (Name before reorganization)
Graduated in 2012 / Completed Graduate School of Engineering in 2014
[From Sendai Minami High School, Miyagi Prefecture]

Ever since I was in high school, I have enjoyed physics and other information-related subjects, as well as experiments, and I was thinking of a future career in either electric power infrastructure or information technology. When I entered university, I chose this department where I could study both electrical and electronic engineering and systems engineering. After experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake in my third year, I realized once again the importance of communications, and decided to enter a laboratory specializing in wireless communications. During my undergraduate years, I conducted joint research with a company on "bio-location estimation using radio waves. Through this experience, I learned the basic way of thinking when creating something. Thinking from the other person's point of view when making a presentation, meeting deadlines as the basis for building a relationship of trust with the other person, and being particular about maximizing accuracy. Now that I am out in the world, I feel that these three ideas are more and more important.

In the future, I would like to repay Iwate for its support over the past eight years as a system engineer who can solve customers' problems.

Interviewed in March 2017.

We have strong ties with local companies through joint research I am able to gain a wide range of experience.

TAKANO Akira

Ohizumi Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering (Name before reorganization)
Graduated in 2005 / Completed the Graduate School of Engineering in 2007
[From Kozukata High School, Iwate Prefecture]

During the open campus, I visited the laboratory of the then Department of Materials Science and Engineering, where they were conducting experiments on superconductors using liquid nitrogen. In my first and second years, I studied basic mathematics and other subjects, and in my third and fourth years, I learned about the research and development of various materials through specialized lectures and experiments. From my fourth year of undergraduate studies to graduate school, I conducted research on the theme of "evaluation of magnetic properties of thin films.

My current workplace is a company that manufactures ceramic temperature sensors called thermistors, and I am in charge of material development and analysis. The research I did in college and the wide range of material manufacturing methods I learned in my materials engineering classes are useful in my current work. Furthermore, since last year, I have been conducting joint research with Iwate University, and I am able to work with the professors and university staff who helped me back then. Having strong ties with companies is another attraction of Iwate University. In the future, I would like to focus on developing new materials based on the experience and knowledge I have gained so far.

Interviewed in March 2017.

Both what I learned at Iwate University and what I experienced in the Great East Japan Earthquake have led me to the present.

MORIMOTO Yu

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Construction
Department of Social and Environmental Engineering (Name before reorganization)
Graduated in 2012 / Completed the Graduate School of Engineering in 2014
[From Sano High School in Tochigi Prefecture]

I became interested in the environmental field when I was exposed to the problems of air pollution and photochemical smog during my integrated studies at junior high school. Therefore, I chose the Department of Social and Environmental Engineering, which has the keywords of environment, disaster prevention, welfare, and construction. At first, I studied these four fields in a well-balanced manner, and from the latter half of my third year, I specialized in air pollution and immersed myself in the development of monitoring posts to measure the level of pollution.

At present, I am mainly a supervisor in charge of road surface repair work and bridge seismic reinforcement work, and the fact that I was able to learn the four key words in a comprehensive manner has been useful. In particular, I learned how to read and create blueprints and drawings. What made me decide to work for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government was the Great East Japan Earthquake I experienced as a student. I wasn't sure whether I should stay in Iwate or not, but after coming in contact with many supporters, I felt that I could contribute even from a distance. I will make use of my experience in the disaster to challenge what should be done to minimize the damage and what should be done when a disaster occurs.

Interviewed in March 2017.