Environmental Engineering Course

Monica Irisa Clara Gondokusuma

Allow International Students to Learn and Enjoy with Peace of Mind in a Well-organized Research Environment

Researching smart communities as an international university student in Japan

I am originally from Indonesia and became interested in environmental issues such as water pollution when I was a high school student, and thus I came to Japan to study at Osaka University. Currently, as a graduate student, I am researching how charging of electric vehicles affects the power consumption of residential areas when they are introduced into a smart community. I participated in a visiting tour for studying/researching an actual smart community. In our research, simulations tend to be based on many “ideal” scenarios. However, during the tour, I personally experienced “real” situations and made use of them in my research.

Acquiring new knowledge by attending international conferences

As a graduate student, I attended not only academic meetings in Japan, but also international conferences and presented my work. When I attended an online international conference whose participants mainly come from European nations, I was able to learn the difference between the environmental issues of Japan and overseas. Although particular attention is placed on energy-saving as a whole in Japan, themes related to insulation and heating attracted the most attention in Europe with their longer winter, and I was deeply interested by the difference.

Enjoying a student-friendly environment in which international students do not feel alone

The Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering did not only provide me with an organized environment to conduct high quality research, but also an opportunity for me as an international student to make friends with my colleagues in the laboratory and enjoy my student life. I think that Osaka University is very responsive to the academic and social-emotional needs of international students. A consultation room is available for international students in the Graduate School of Engineering in addition to other services to support exchange among them. International students can enjoy their student life with a peace of mind.

Quantum Energy Engineering Course

Kazushi Aoki

Address Future Energy Issues from an Engineering Perspective

Research for the realization of new cancer treatment methods

At the graduate school, I am conducting engineering research on a new cancer treatment method, “Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT).” BNCT is a type of radiation therapy for cancer which consists of irradiating a cancer patient with a neutron beam to destroy cancer cells. BNCT mainly irradiates a low energy neutron beam, and it is necessary to measure the amount of neutrons generated in order to estimate the therapeutic effect. In my research, I am aiming to develop a detector that can easily measure this generation amount. Originally, I had chosen the Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering because I was interested in energy and nuclear power. However, many of my high school friends aimed to become doctors, and I chose to research something medical-related because of their influence.

International laboratory where students get along well with each other

Many students work on their research in the laboratory to which I belong. There, all of us work together equally. We hold meetings regularly with our professors in which engaging discussions are conducted and advice is often given. In addition, since BNCT is a popular research theme around the world, there are 4 to 5 international students in our laboratory. Thus, we converse in English over all kinds of topics, from daily conversation to research content.

A privileged place which allows you to engage in rewarding research

The Quantum Energy Engineering Course mainly focuses on nuclear power technology, laser beam engineering, and materials science to address energy issues that will have a major impact on our future from an engineering perspective. As this course allows you to engage in challenging research, I believe that you cannot go wrong in choosing it.

Environmental Engineering Course

Reishi Yoshihiro

Learn about a Wide Range of Environmental and Energy Issues

Allowing you to take lectures in a wide range of fields

I believe that the biggest advantage of the Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering is the wide range of lectures that students can take, from the field of urban planning to the field of quantum energy. Only about 80 students are in the Division and I have always admired the camaraderie that can be found; there is a sense of unity among the students. In addition, the “tutor system” specific to the Division where one can ask questions such as the requirements to be admitted in the desired laboratory, etc., helped me a lot.

Improving problem-solving skills through fieldwork

After advancing to my third year in the Environmental Engineering Course, as part of the class, I surveyed the landscape of the urban area of Ibaraki City. It was originally a historical city, and the city is no longer what it used to be in the old days. The task of the class was to propose a landscape restoration plan by harmonizing many vacant lots with the urban landscape. As I had never had the opportunity to take time to walk around the city until then, it was interesting to experience the atmosphere of the city while conducting a survey.

Preparing for and overcoming university entrance examinations through friends supporting each other

All students feel stressed when preparing for university entrance examinations. I had a hard time improving my grades in mathematics, but I overcame the problem by studying hard and getting my friends in school to teach me (with me teaching them in return as well). I would like to tell all students preparing for their entrance examinations to, while helping and supporting each other, do your best and never give up!

Quantum Energy Engineering Course

Hinano Imanishi

Discover a New Research Field while Learning

Discovering the field for you while learning about many fields

Although I applied for the School of Engineering when I started studying for the university entrance examination, I did not have a clear vision for my future career. I chose the Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering because I found it advantageous to be able to decide on a research field in the course of studying in the university. When I was a first year student, there was a class called “Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering” where faculty teachers took turns to give lectures. It enabled me to choose a research field of interest as a curriculum.

Working hard in the research field of optical diagnosis which I found after enrollment

I enrolled in the Medical Beam Physics laboratory of the Quantum Energy Engineering Course to conduct research on gastric cancer diagnostic technology with the use of light. A detailed diagnosis is required to determine how to treat gastric cancer, and the aim of my research is to perform the said diagnosis using light. As it is easy to imagine how useful medicine is to people, I find it rewarding to be involved in the field of medicine.

Balancing studies and club activities well

The good thing about the Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering is that there are many amiable and cheerful students. Women account for only 10% of all students in the Division and we got along with each other immediately. As the Division offers a wide range of learning, I would like to see more women enrolling. In addition, although I am interested in medical care, other students are interested in different fields such as community development, VR technology, and meteorological systems. Therefore, I can acquire new knowledge even from simply chatting with them, enabling me to have a stimulating life every day. Between classes and assignments, you can still find plenty of time for club activities and other things that you want to do.

Environmental Engineering Course

Keiko Hori

Contribute to the Realization of a Sustainable Social Structure through Research Activities

Understanding environment and energy issues from a wide perspective

I learned about environmental and energy issues from a wide perspective that goes beyond engineering in the Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering. I believe that the wide variety of lectures I took allowed me to understand issues of different fields. Furthermore, the basic research skills which I cultivated when I wrote my graduation thesis, master’s thesis, and doctoral dissertation are extremely helpful in my current work.

Analyzing the future relationship between human society and natural resources

Currently, I am engaged in research activities related to sustainability science and in educational activities for graduate students at the United Nations University. My research activities include several projects, one of which being a project commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment. I am involved in research with the aim of finding solutions that will allow an integrated system in which human society and natural resources depend on each other to be sustainable through simulations using mathematical models.

Trying to contribute to changing Japanese society to a sustainable one

It is said that the next 10 years are decisive in our fight to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change. I personally feel that material resources, human resources, and funds are not allocated where they are needed most, and I have the desire to investigate whether or not the need for mass production will soon be a thing of the past due to the increased interest in reuse and DIY. I would like to contribute to radically changing the social structure of Japan so as to be sustainable through such research and outreach activities.

Quantum Energy Engineering Course

Misaki Terakawa

Challenge to Find Solutions to Environmental and Energy Issues from a Diverse Perspective

Acquiring knowledge and problem solving abilities necessary for our future

It is an essential condition for society and corporations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the coming era. There are many items related to “environment” and “energy” in these goals. I am glad that I have acquired and learned the correct knowledge about environmental and energy issues, solutions thereto, and sustainability at the Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering.

The things I learned in the four years of the undergraduate program serve as a great asset

The Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering covers diverse disciplines such as the environment and energy. However, there are numerous ways to approach problems in these disciplines and no single solution exists. It has been a great asset for me to learn “the importance of seeing things from various angles”, including understanding that there are different views and approaches to problems depending on the status and position. The problem-solving skills I acquired as a student help me a lot in my current work.

Wishing to conserve beautiful nature and rich culture forever

I decided to start working at a chemical company which is involved in many different industries with the wish of finding a variety of solutions to environmental and energy issues without being limited to certain fields or industries. My current work mainly consists of laboratory-scale experiments and analyses with the aim of strengthening the company’s existing businesses. I am engaged in R&D to manufacture people- and environment-friendly products and to improve their performance. My dream is to conserve beautiful nature and rich culture forever. I would like to contribute to somehow make my dream come true in the future through my work.