Tokyo Institute of Technology held the 58th Tokyo Tech Global Researcher Gathering on Wednesday, October 18 at the Tokyo Tech Kuramae Hall in Ookayama Campus. Over 100 people joined, including international researchers and their families, host researchers, deans/directors, and URAs.

The president of the Institute has hosted this event since 1991 to promote academic and cultural exchange among the faculty members and international researchers engaging in education or research at the Institute. Since 2010, the event has also included an orientation, providing participants with the opportunity to learn more about the Institute. The event was postponed since 2020 due to COVID-19, but this year it was restarted with the new name, “Tokyo Tech Global Researcher Gathering”.

At the orientation, President Kazuya Masu explained the upcoming merger with Tokyo Medical and Dental University and the Institute’s diversity initiatives.

 

President Masu at the orientation

The reception was followed by opening remarks and a toast by Executive Vice President for Research Osamu Watanabe. Afterwards, Associate Professor Xiuzhu Gu of the School of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering and Economics, gave a speech as a representative of global researchers. Associate Professor Gu described the challenges she faced when she first came to Japan as a student, the current situation of female researchers, and her hopes toward the merger with Tokyo Medical and Dental University. She concluded her speech with words for the international researchers, wishing them an enjoyable life in Japan. Overall, everyone enjoyed mingling in a relaxed atmosphere, which ended with closing remarks from Provost and Executive Vice President for Institute Strategy Isao Satoh.

Associate Professor Xiuzhu Gu

President Masu (left) talking with attendee

One participant commented, “I would like to see this kind of meeting continue, as there are few opportunities to interact with international researchers in different fields.”

Families and friends in group photo