The JIGE 2024 Cross-disciplinary Research Camp welcomes graduate students who are affiliated with Tohoku University, Kansai University, or Chiba University, or participating in the Tohoku University Japanese Program (TUJP).

This camp aims to explore how academic research can be translated into real-world applications that address societal challenges. Distinguished guest speakers, including an entrepreneur and a core member who founded or joined startups/social ventures in Japan after completing their doctoral programs at Tohoku University, will share their experiences.

Discussions will cover topics such as leveraging research outcomes to create new value, career development after graduate school, and the essential competencies students should cultivate during their graduate studies. Additionally, we are planning a special collaborative session with Tohoku University's STUDENT DEMODAY, offering participants a unique opportunity to integrate their research ideas with innovative business strategies.

※ This research camp is part of the JIGE Project, an educational and human resource development initiative jointly led by Kansai University, Chiba University, and Tohoku University.

Date Friday, December 13, 2024, 1:00 PM (JST)
～ Sunday, December 15, 2024, noon (JST)
Format In-person
Language English
Venue Kawauchi campus and Aobayama campus, Tohoku University
※ Once details are fixed, the information will be updated on this page.
Eligibility Participants must meet one of the following criteria:
(1) Graduate students affiliated with Tohoku University, Kansai University, or Chiba University
(2) Graduate students participating in the Tohoku University Japanese Program (TUJP)
Participation
Fee		 Free
* Participants are responsible for their own transportation, accommodation, and food expenses.
Pre-camp
Online Session		 (Updated on Nov. 18, 2024)

Sunday, December 8, 2024, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (JST)

Facilitator: Enika Banerjee
Senior Lecturer of Japanese
Coordinator of the Japanese Business Certificate
Department of Languages, Cultures and Translation, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

* The Zoom link to attend the session will be sent to participants prior to the session.
Overview ◆ Schedule (subject to change) ◆
The times below are all indicated in japan standard time.
A detailed timetable will be posted here prior to the event.

Timetable is now available! (Updated on Dec. 12, 2024)
Timetable

1. Day 1: December 13（Fri.）1:00 PM (JST) - 7:30 PM (JST)

2. Day 2: December 14（Sat.) 9:30 AM (JST) - 8:00 PM (JST)
  • ・9:30 AM Special Lecture & Discussion: "Pioneering Ideas: From Graduate Research to Societal Change"
    @ Lecture Room 4, 2nd floor
    （１）Speaker: Dr. Trishit Banerjee
    （２）Speaker: Dr. Tamir Blum
  • ・1:00 PM Collaboration Event with the Tohoku University STUDENT DEMODAY @ Learning Commons, 1st floor
  • ・5:00 PM Networking Meeting (organized by STUDENT DEMODAY Team）@ Learning Commons, 1st floor
  • ・6:30 PM Social (organized by Tohoku University Foreign Students Association (TUFSA)) -Food provided @ Learning Commons, 1st floor

3. Day 3：December 15 (Sun.）9:00 AM (JST) - 12:00 PM (JST)
    • ・ 9:00 AM Research Presentation @ Learning Commons, 1st floor
      　* Please prepare slides for your 15-minute presentation.
    • ・11:30 AM Closing Ceremony @ Learning Commons, 1st floor

※ The venue for Day 2 and Day 3 is Aobayama Commons, Aobayama Campus.

◆ About Speakers ◆

1. Dr. Trishit Banerjee
Manager & Market Researcher, Futaba Area Tourism Research Association
Dr. Trishit Banerjee is a Manager and Market Researcher at F-ATRAs (Futaba Area Tourism Research Association) in coastal Fukushima. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Tohoku University in September 2024 where he researched about DNA-Binding Proteins. At F-ATRAs, he curates tours and manages projects related to community revitalisation of the Hamadori region (Coastal Fukushima) affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Accident. He has been associated with the post-2011 recovery of the Tohoku region since his time as an undergraduate student at Tohoku University in various positions, such as Tourism Ambassador for Sendai Television and contributing writer for newspapers in India and Japan such as The Japan Times.
〇　Click here for the F-ATRAs website.

2. Dr. Tamir Blum
CEO and Founder, Kisui TECH
Dr. Tamir Blum is the CEO and Founder of Kisui TECH, which seeks to bring AI and robotics technology and space robotics know-how into AGTECH in order to empower orchard farmers across Japan and the world. Tamir received his PhD from Tohoku University for his dissertation work at the Space Robotics Lab, where his focus was on the application of reinforcement learning and other AI techniques for various lunar robots including rovers and legged/climbing robots. Tamir is also a UCLA Master’s graduate where he focused on controls and robotics. He has conducted numerous exchange programs, including the International Space University, located in France, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and UC3M in Madrid, Spain. He also has obtained industry experience through work at SpaceX and Aerovironment, both located in California.
〇　Click here for the Kisui TECH website.
Application
Deadline		 Friday, November 15 22, 2024, noon (JST)
* Application is closed.
How to Apply Please apply using application form below (you will be directed to Google Form).
Note
  • ・All participants are expected to attend throughout this camp. If you are unable to attend some parts of the camp, please contact Inter-University Exchange Project Office, Tohoku University in advance.
  • ・Due to the capacity of a venue and other reasons, the application may be closed before the application deadline.