From December 13 (Friday) to December 15 (Sunday), 2024, the JIGE 2024 Cross-Disciplinary Research Camp was held under the theme "Pioneering Ideas: From Graduate Research to Societal Change." This camp was organized as part of the Japan hub for Innovative Global Education (JIGE) Project, a collaborative initiative for education and human resource development jointly promoted by Tohoku University, Kansai University, and Chiba University. The event aimed to facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge across academic disciplines, foster the development of new research ideas through interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen research networks.

Building upon the JIGE 2024 Doctoral Colloquium, which took place from October to November with separate sessions focusing on earth sciences and humanities/social sciences, this research camp brought together graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to engage in interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. A total of 13 participants from the three partner universities attended the event. The camp was coordinated and facilitated by Ms. Junna Minato, Research Associate at the Global Learning Center, Tohoku University.


  1. Pre-Camp Online Session

 

To enhance participants’ preparedness for discussions on the relationship between academic research and society, as well as to foster networking among them, an online pre-camp session was conducted prior to the event. Dr. Enika Banerjee from the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Translation at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte was invited as a guest speaker. She provided insights into key intercultural competencies required for global engagement and discussed opportunities for students to develop these skills. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to hear from a graduate of the same university who had obtained a business certificate and is now working at a Japanese company. This session proved to be highly motivating, encouraging participants to refine their personal and professional development plans.



  1. Key Activities of the Camp

 

The camp focused on fostering effective collaboration, interdisciplinary research exploration, and career development through a series of interactive sessions and workshops, including:


  • Intercultural Communication Training: "Survival on the Snowy Mountain"
  • Special Lecture & Discussion featuring Tohoku University alumni who hold doctoral degrees:

    • ・Trishit Banerjee (Manager & Market Researcher, Futaba Area Tourism Research Association)

    ・Tamir Blum (Founder & CEO, Kisui TECH)

  • Collaboration with Tohoku University STUDENT DEMODAY:

    • ・Hult Prize Tohoku University Workshop: Let’s Consider Tohoku’s Issues Through Entrepreneurship

  • Networking Session with the Tohoku University Foreign Students Association (TUFSA)
  • Interdisciplinary Research Presentation Session


    1. Reflections & Future Prospects

     

    For the participating graduate students, this camp provided a valuable opportunity to engage in discussions beyond institutional, disciplinary, and national boundaries, exploring the intersection between academic research and real-world challenges. Participants shared enthusiastic reflections on how the camp broadened their perspectives and enhanced their research approaches.

    Going forward, Tohoku University will continue to organize diverse research camps under the JIGE framework, further promoting interdisciplinary exchange, mutual learning, and collaboration among graduate students who will contribute to the future of academia and society.



    1. Selected Comments from Participants

     

  • This camp has significantly broadened my perspective on cross-disciplinary research and its potential for societal impact. Before joining to the camp, I had usually focused on my research in isolation, working alone in my lab. However, this experience has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, connect with people from various fields, and gain new insights through meaningful interactions. I now feel a strong desire to actively explore the broader world, seeking inspiration and collaboration that can enrich both my personal growth and my academic endeavors. Also, the discussions and workshops inspired me to pursue opportunities that align my academic interests with addressing pressing social issues, reinforcing my passion for interdisciplinary collaboration.

  • Special Lecture & Discussion with Dr. Banerjee and Dr. Blum provided the clearest answers and real examples about how we, as foreigners, can leverage our PhD degrees in the Japanese business world — whether by joining a company or starting our own.

  • The JIGE 2024 Camp inspired me to apply research to real-world challenges, explore interdisciplinary collaboration, and consider entrepreneurial paths. It emphasized practical impact, career growth, and key skills like adaptability and innovation, making it a transformative experience.

  • I think every backgrounds have similarities at some points, and it's the best to find the similarities and learn how to apply it to our own research. Not to take people's idea, but sometimes we are stuck at one POV because we are so used to see the problem from our own field's view, but maybe we can learn how people see the problem and solve it in their own way, reflect it, and adapt it in our capabilities.

  • The most valuable thing I learned during the camp was the importance of collaboration, effective communication, and the ability to convey my ideas clearly to others. Working with diverse individuals in various types of team activities & sessions not only allowed me to understand different perspectives, but also taught me how to integrate them to achieve a common goal. Through these experiences, I developed the skill to present my ideas in a way that resonated with others, ensuring our team could work efficiently and cohesively.


    • ▶ Watch the Reflection & PR Video to hear directly from the participants if you are interested in the insights they gained or considering future research camps.

    ▶ Watch the Special Lecture & Discussion featuring Tohoku University alumni on JV-Campus.